Are alfalfa pellets as good as alfalfa hay?

Remember, pellets are not a substitute for all your horse's forage needs, they can replace alfalfa hay if your animal has other hay or grass, but a horse must consume long-stem forage for proper digestion. Also, note that one pound of alfalfa pellets has the same nutritional value as one pound of hay.

Can alfalfa pellets replace hay?

These pellets do not have particles big enough to stimulate the horse's digestive tract. This means that alfalfa pellets, while good for the horse, do not promote a healthy tract. They lack long-stem fibers and cannot replace hay. However, they can replace the calories that hay provides safely.

Can you feed a horse just alfalfa pellets?

You can add alfalfa pellets or cubes to a grass hay diet for the same effect. Alfalfa is also suitable for horses prone to gastric ulcers, because the extra calcium acts as a buffer against stomach acid.

Which is better hay or pellets?

Horses often eat hay pellets faster than traditional hay because the smaller, ground particles are easy to chew and swallow. Hay pellets also do not provide any long-stem forage. However, for horses with poor teeth, soaking these pellets can still provide important fiber and nutrients.

Can pellets replace hay?

Like forage cubes, forage pellets can be fed just like hay, at a 1:1 ratio to replace hay. Forage pellets are the fiber choice for horses that have lost teeth or have poor dentition since forage pellets can easily be soaked in water to form a mash or slurry.

Ask the Vet - Should I feed alfalfa cubes or alfalfa pellets?

Should alfalfa pellets be soaked?

Here are some tips I've learned along the way for feeding a soaked pellet: I have found alfalfa pellets need to be soaked in between five and six hours to fully break down. In the winter months, I soak them overnight so they are ready to be fed the next day.

Are alfalfa pellets good for cows?

Alfalfa pellets and alfalfa bales benefit animals because they are high in fiber, packed with nutrients such as calcium and are a viable source of digestible protein. Alfalfa's high fiber content makes alfalfa an ideal animal feed choice due to the fibrous diet requirements of livestock.

Is it cheaper to feed hay or pellets?

More Expensive

​Pelleted, cubed and chopped forage costs more per pound than baled grass hay.

Can I feed alfalfa cubes instead of hay?

The nutrient levels found in cubes tend to be more consistent than hay. Alfalfa cubes are sold with a guaranteed minimum nutrient content. Reduced dust. Cubes have little dust and are therefore a good alternative to hay for horses with certain respiratory problems.

Can horses eat alfalfa pellets dry?

The pellets can be fed dry, but many horses prefer them to be soaked in water and fed as a mash. For young horses, old horses, and those with dental issues, soaking the pellets first may be a necessity.

Which is better for horses alfalfa pellets or alfalfa cubes?

There is no nutritional difference between alfalfa pellets and cubes, so the choice between the two is based on which type your horses prefer and which you prefer to feed and store. Alfalfa pellets, cubes, and hay provide the same essential nutrients per pound.

Can alfalfa pellets cause laminitis?

Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed.

Will alfalfa pellets make a horse hot?

Does alfalfa make horses hot? Alfalfa can make a horse hot if improperly fed. Alfalfa is high in protein and digestible energy (the net amount of energy an animal gets from its food), so you should feed it to horses that need the extra energy.

What are alfalfa pellets good for?

Alfalfa Pellets act as a slow-release fertilizer that is an excellent source of nitrogen. Alfalfa also contains trace minerals and triacontanol, a naturally occurring growth promoter, which is great for roses!

What can I give my horse instead of hay?

How much alfalfa pellets do you feed?

Usually 15-20 lbs per day of alfalfa or timothy pellets for a 1000# horse. pellets daily over 2-3 weeks. Put the pellets in a bucket, cover with warm water, and then dump them into a large muck bucket and feed immediately.

Can alfalfa pellets cause colic?

Any feed material can cause a digestive impaction if it is consumed rapidly. Many horses are safely fed diets consisting solely of alfalfa pellets without problems. However, poor quality alfalfa pellets or a rapid change to an alfalfa pellet diet can contribute to colic symptoms.

How long do alfalfa pellets last?

Alfalfa pellets blend the stem and alfalfa leaves together. Easy store and has a shelf life of up to 1 year when kept dry.

Are hay pellets the same as hay?

Horse owners often ask if there are any differences in feeding a hay pellet or hay from the bale? The short answer is “yes”. Hay pellets are hay that have been ground and processed with heat and steam. It basically just changes the form of the hay.

What's the difference between alfalfa pellets and timothy pellets?

The hay should have a fresh-cut grass smell. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.

What is the best hay to feed a horse?

What is the best hay to feed cows?

Most experts recommend mixing alfalfa with grass hay, rather than relying exclusively on alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay is often recommended for dairy cattle, but may not be a good fit for beef cattle, since it can lead to bloat. Legume hay is another nutritious option for cattle, since it's high in protein.

Why can't cattle eat alfalfa?

Why does alfalfa cause bloat in the first place? Soluble proteins in forages and other small particles within the cells of the plant are rapidly released once they reach the rumen. These proteins and particles are attacked by slime producing rumen microbes, which cause a buildup of stable foam.

Can cows eat too much alfalfa?

Some of these have to do with the plant itself, such as waiting until the alfalfa is mature or mixing it with other feed to prevent overconsumption. Managing the cattle is also essential. Overly hungry cows will overeat alfalfa, which can cause bloat.

Can horses choke on alfalfa pellets?

Choke can occur when a horse consumes it's food too rapidly, tries to swallow food without chewing it, has reduced or impaired salivation, cannot properly chew its feed because of dental issues and when eating food items that are large like carrots or alfalfa cubes.