Can first cutting alfalfa hay cause a horse to get diarhea?
If so, is it because it's too rich? What do you do if it happens?
yes. just add some dry grass hay to get some roughege. Your horse will be alright
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If so, is it because it's too rich? What do you do if it happens?
yes. just add some dry grass hay to get some roughege. Your horse will be alright
powered by Yahoo Answers
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
Any cutting of alfalfa can do that if your horse isn't on it.
What you can do is wean them off their other hay, so 1 flake alfalfa and 2 flakes your hay for a couple days and slowly increase until they are on solid alfalfa.
My guys are on alfalfa and no diarrhea problems, but thats all they are fed.
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December 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 am
I agree with Mulereiner. I feed only alfalfa. I have never had any of the problems you hear about. My parents have only feed alfalfa, also. I like it, my horses are nice & healthy.
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December 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 am
yes. just add some dry grass hay to get some roughege. Your horse will be alright
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December 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 am
Hopefully you introduced this first cut alfalfa to your horse in a slow manner and gave him time to adjust to it?
If you did not then diarrhea can be a result, also colic.
If you were feeding grass hay, I'd return to it to give his system time to adjust….then initiate your alfalfa SLOWLY to your horse. It should take you two weeks to accomplish the changeover…this is my vets advise.
I only feed alfalfa it to my show horses…I have a gelding that just cannot handle it….he's fed timothy hay.
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December 3rd, 2008 at 2:28 am
First cut alfalfa is usually the richest cutting and can cause problems in horses sensitive to it. It can also be full of early weeds that are crowded out in later cuttings. It's wonderful cattle hay, but not the best for horses. If your horse gets diarrhea, do not feed this hay any more and it should clear up quickly.
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