Horse help about keeping them in a pasture with alfalfa?

Question

were moving our horses onto our new land and where they are now the pasture they are in theres a little bit of grass here and there but where we are moving them is pure alfalfa. How long am i suposse to let them eat and then how long am i suppose to keep them out of there until they get use to the alfalfa where they can stay in there 24/7

Answer 1

Fallow bills advice. I raise alfalfa, most times horses and other live stock will not touch it as a rule, because it does not taste good when on the stem. Not until alfalfa is cut and cured dose it take on the desirable attributes that we like about alfalfa. In short if you put your horse in a field of green(uncut) alfalfa you are in serious danger of harming your horse.

Answer 2

I would also do the same, just work them up and watch and see. Honestly, our horses are out in a pasture of almost all alfalfa too and they don't eat it. They will eat down everything including the thistles but the alfalfa still stands. When we asked our vet said something about some don't like the taste of it until its dried. I don't know if that's completely true or not, you could research it. But they will not die if they eat any of it. People forget to give horses credit about having common sense and instincts. You know your horses, there's not a set time line on them, they're all individuals. We put some out straight to pasture without working them up and some only go out for a few hours, it's all on what they can handle.

~in my animal science class today we talked about how sheep will eat the different parts of the plant that is not good for other animals. And that a lot of people put them out before the horses to eat down whats not good so the horses can eat the rest, or after cows to clean up what they won't eat. Goats can too but goats will eat everything. Just another idea~

Answer 3

You defanitley don't want your horses out there 24/7. Alfalfa is not good for them at too much amounts of it. Some horses actually won't eat it if its not in their hay or cubed but some will gorge on it, all depending on your horses.

My best advice to you is, keep your horse's stalled for all while when you arrive. Like 2-3 weeks. Give them free choice hay and less grain. Find somebody who can plow your field and replant some other grass mixes. You will have to wait a while for the grass to regrow but it will be plenty worth it. The day when you feel the horses are ready to be out then give them a full hay ration before going out into the lush grass. This will help fill them up so they won't eat too much grass, as this can cause colic and founder. Gradually introduce them into it. The first day maybe only 20 minutes then the next day 40. After a while start decreasing the hay before they are turned out and eventually you can let them out all day or 24/7. Whatever you prefer (:

Answer 4

You shouldn't keep horses on pure alfalfa.  I don't know what to advise you to do, other than find another place to keep them.

Answer 5

Your horses will not get sick and DIE from eating fresh alfalfa.. that was just a dumb thing to say. But! They could founder if you leave them on there to long on to fresh of a pasture. Just gradually ease them into it and they will do fine.

Answer 6

Horses are meant to eat grass not legumes.  They love alfalfa at any stage and will founder on it. I cut the alfalfa patches in my paddocks out with the lawn mower on the lowest setting. After foundering you have to keep the horse off of green grass forever or they will founder again.  I have one that foundered 4 years ago.  She stays in a pen and eats cured hay except for a few months in the winter when she can be let out safely.  It is not worth taking the chance.  Spray or plow the alfalfa down and plant grass.

Answer 7

I have some friends who also keep their horses in a pure alfalfa pasture.

I would say, the first day- twenty minutes, the second day around forty five, than gradually work them up24/7

I know my friends Horses look great! Fat and shiny I'm sure your Horses will do fine!

Answer 8

You should never keep a horse in a pure alfalfa pasture. They will overeat and get sick and die. Alfalfa is a legume and not a grass. Fresh alfalfa is not good for them.

Answer 9

they wont die but they will have a lot of problems. there is too much sugar and calories and stuff in alfalfa so if they eat much their hooves will get weak and if kept on alfalfa the bone could go through the hoof, which is obviously very bad.

whenever the alfalfa starts to seed i would mow it down and spread grass seeds. this way next year there will be less and less alfalfa and more and more grass. make sure you give your horses hay after you mow it though because there may not be enough for them to eat.

keep a close eye on their hooves. if you gently press your thumb to the top of their hooves and the hoof gives at all or feels kind of squishy then you need to take them off the pasture right away and feed them hay until their hooves are solid or there is less alfalfa in the pasture.

i would also suggest using certain grains. some brands are really good for their hooves and that would help them through the change. i don't know the brands off the top of my head but i'm sure a little research on the internet and you'll find several.

i don't know about the suggestion that horses only eat dried alfalfa. mine don't but then again all horses are different so you never know.

sorry it was so long but i figure its better to be detailed and safe then vague and sorry, if you know what i mean.

good luck!