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Home > Nutrition > The Importance of Hay > Alfalfa, medium mature

Alfalfa, medium mature

Closed Bale

[click to enlarge-400K]

Open Bale

[click to enlarge-400K]

For an explanation about the physical characteristics reported in the next table, please refer to the document Evaluation Guidelines for Hays for Horses (pdf).

Physical Characteristics

content stage mold leaves/stems touch smell color
alfalfa some flowers no very stemmy very rough sweet yellow, rained on, dark green inside

Equine Digestible Energy and Crude Protein Content

Dry Matter As Fed
DE Equine
(Mcal/lb)
CP
(%)
DE Equine
(Mcal/lb)
CP
(%)
1.12 13.92 0.97 12.13

Comments

Roughness is not attractive to horses, and allows them to select the leaves and waste the stems. Even if it has high protein content (which is not crucial for mature horses), the horse will not readily it and potentially cause digestive problems. Higher protein content will make horses thirsty, they will urinate more, and with more ammonia. Make sure to clean the stables accordingly.

 

 
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