Can a horse colic on alfalfa?

Alfalfa, The Myths

Some worry that feeding alfalfa increases the risk of colic. Not so, says Lawrence. “Rapid diet changes are associated with colic, so it's possible that if you change from grass hay to alfalfa hay all of a sudden, or you introduce alfalfa hay abruptly, you could increase the risk of colic,” she said.

Is alfalfa good for colic horses?

Rich alfalfa hay can also cause colic, so we recommend feeding a grass hay or grass/alfalfa mix. Changes in management or a horse's routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well. Water is also very important, as a horse with minimal exercise needs to drink 4-5 gallons a day to remain healthy.

What happens if a horse eats too much alfalfa?

Alfalfa hay can cause diarrhea in a horse that overeats it because the hay is rich and full of nutrients. Overeating alfalfa can also cause a horse to have excess gas, develop laminitis, and founder.

Does alfalfa make horse gassy?

High-quality alfalfa can cause excess gas in some horses. Given her history, it may be worth cutting back the alfalfa in the diet.

Can horses be sensitive to alfalfa?

They may get “hot”, anxious or agitated, or show signs of liver or kidney stress. In fact, some horses are so sensitive to alfalfa they cannot tolerate even small amounts. Too much alfalfa requires a lot of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism.

Ask the Vet - Why you shouldn't feed alfalfa exclusively

Can alfalfa pellets cause colic?

Alfalfa cubes and pellets can cause colic.

And pellets are concentrated in alfalfa hay, increasing the risk of colic. A horse will likely eat all the alfalfa cubes they have available, but when fed alfalfa hay, they are picky and often waste some.

How do I know if my horse is allergic to alfalfa?

Symptoms including itchiness, over-excitable or irritable behaviour and loose droppings are often described as allergies by horse owners and are attributed to various different ingredients including molasses and alfalfa.

What can you give a horse for gas colic?

If your horse requires further treatment, your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-spasmodic drug such as Buscopan or a painkiller such as Banamine. Once comfortable and relaxed, most horses pass the gas and recover quickly. Still, it's wise to be watchful for 24 hours to make sure there are no further troubles.

How do you get rid of gas colic in horses?

How much is too much alfalfa?

Alfalfa Hay Feeding Limits – Alfalfa hay (bale, cube, or pellet) should not exceed more than 50% of the total forage consumed per day. Alfalfa is high in protein and calcium however, if fed as the only forage source will adversely influence the relationship of these nutrients to energy.

Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?

Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses.

Can horses colic from too much hay?

Too much forage, especially in the form of fresh grass, might cause colic or other metabolic problems.

Can alfalfa cause laminitis?

Because alfalfa hay is more nutrient dense than typical grass hay, more care needs to be taken when feeding alfalfa. 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.

What kind of hay causes colic in horses?

Orchard grass hay was linked with colic more frequently than alfalfa, coastal, or Bermudahay. Hay from round bales was associated with an increased colic risk. Feeding hay or grain on the ground was not identified as a colic risk factor. Water Water deprivation increased colic risk.

Can Lucerne cause colic?

During the time when the microbial population is trying to adjust to the legume, it may produce more gas or not digest the forage well. The result may be a horse with a lot of gas (possibly a little gas colic), or loose or runny manure. Making any changes in the forage portion of the diet should be done gradually.

How does alfalfa affect horses?

Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of energy, protein, calcium and some other nutrients for horses. Its concentrations of protein and calcium meet the nutrient needs of horses in high levels of production, such as growth and lactation, but exceed the nutrient requirements of horses in other life stages.

Can rich grass cause colic in horses?

After a season of sparse Winter pasture, the sweet green grass brought on by Spring rain can be very tempting to your horse. However, eating too much too quickly can lead to serious abdominal pain, known as grass colic.

Will a horse with colic poop?

These horses may distend in the belly, looking bigger and rounder than usual and they may or may not pass manure. However, be aware that a horse with severe and serious colic can still pass manure as the problem in the gut may be well forward of the rectum; the transit time from mouth to manure can be days.

Does beer help colic in horses?

Spasmodic colic is the type of colic most likely to respond to beer as a treatment. This type of colic is typically caused by muscle spasms in the intestines. It's kind of like indigestion.

How do you treat colic in horses naturally?

Feed a forage-based diet (based on hay or grass) and limit the amount of grain you feed. Make sure your horse always has fresh, clean water available. Allow your horse to get plenty of daily exercise with turnout and/or riding. Feed certain supplements such as probiotics to keep the gut functioning smoothly.

What causes mild colic in horses?

Typical practices such as stall confinement and low forage intake have become key contributors to increased risk of colic. The most common types of colic are related to impaction, in which undigested feed or foreign bodies such as parasites block the movement of digesta through the intestines and cecum.

Does walking a horse help with colic?

Walk Your Horse – Walking can assist moving gas through the gut and can prevent injury from rolling. Most mild colics will even clear up from just a simple brisk walk. Try to walk the horse to keep them comfortable, but never to the point of exhaustion.

Can alfalfa make horses itchy?

We often find that Barley, Molasses and Alfalfa are ingredients that can cause unwanted reactions in some horses. For some horses, allergies and intolerances can take weeks, months or years to develop, meaning that their once favourite food could begin to cause unwanted and adverse reactions.

What is the best antihistamine for horses?

Antihistamines are often prescribed for the allergic horse as a safer alternative to steroids for longer term control of symptoms. The most common antihistamine we choose is hydroxyzine, but other options include doxepin, amitriptyline, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine.

Why is my horse constantly sneezing?

The most common types of allergic reactions in horses show up in the skin or respiratory system. In the skin, you may notice your horse vigorously itching an area or overcome with hives. For a respiratory reaction, your horse may begin coughing, sneezing or wheezing, but without nasal discharge.