Nutrition
Nutrient Profile
Alfalfa is a legume, not a grass, and that changes everything about what ends up in the feeder. Here's the full breakdown, and why it matters for your horse.
17–20%
Crude protein
vs ~8–10% in grass hay: topline, muscle repair, growth
1.2–1.4%
Calcium
bone strength, lactating mares, growing stock
0.9–1.1
Mcal/lb digestible energy
quality calories for work and condition
<11%
NSC (starch + sugar)
low-starch energy, kind to metabolic horses
25–30%
Crude fiber
long-stem forage keeps the hindgut moving
A · D · E
Vitamins & minerals
plus lysine, magnesium, and trace minerals
Typical analysis, dry-matter basis. Values vary by cutting. Every load we sell can be sampled and tested on request.
Who alfalfa suits
Performance horses: protein and calories to hold condition through hard work.
Broodmares & young stock: calcium and lysine for growth and lactation.
Hard keepers & seniors: dense, palatable calories without grain overload.
Ulcer-prone horses: alfalfa's calcium buffers stomach acid naturally.
How much to feed
A working rule of thumb: horses eat 1.5–2.5% of body weight in forage daily. For a 1,000 lb horse that's 15–25 lb. Alfalfa can be the whole ration or blended with grass hay depending on workload and body condition.
Switching feeds? Transition over 7–10 days. Questions about your horse's specific needs, whether metabolic issues, weight, or workload? Call us and we'll talk it through before you buy.
Ask us about feedingWant the test results?
Every load can be sampled. Ask for the analysis sheet on your cutting (protein, RFV, NSC, minerals) before you commit to a pallet or standing order.