Is Alfalfa Hay Good For Horses - When & How Much Is Good or Bad

#thinklikeahorse #ItIsNeverTheHorsesFault I talk about why Alfalfa Hay is good for horses. I mention that US Davis, a leading Vet School is a fan of Alfalfa so I put a link to their PDF about horse nutrition.
www.thinklikeah...

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

*I know not everyone reads the description area but here is a good PDF from UC Davis Vet School on Horse nutrition.* www.thinklikeahorse.org/index-14.html#alfalfa

[@KJMudge]

Think Like A Horse , Hi Rick , In Australia we call them Biscuits 😊

[@rachelames5894]

good info.!

[@AmyLouiseYT]

Alfalfa is good for providing protein as well. It's has more than Timothy Alfalfa, so need to be cautious as some horses will stalk up. You're SO right, Rick, variety is the best choices for them. 🐴💜

[@octoberjubilee9866]

Thank you for including a professional source that we can read. Good information.

[@kimhildebrandt2725]

Repackage the thrown-away stems and sell them to the Barn Witches back as "Special Magic Love My Horsey Treats".

[@kimbourke4775]

Hi rick in Australia we call it a biscuit of hay and alfalfa we call it lucerne. 👍😄🇦🇺🐴

[@ron-yv4jx]

I can't believe how much different Buddy looks with his winter coat (to me anyway) Horses are a HUGE, HUGE commitment but I am sure the rewards to having a minimum of 2 Horses are AWSOME, I say 2 horses due to the fact NO HORSE SHOULD BE ALONE. Thank you Rick for allowing us onto your pasture and giving us all another lesson. Have a great day Gore Family. BIG RON OVER AND OUT....

[@rafaelmendez1193]

Every morning for lunch i give my stud a half a gallon of chopped alfalfa hay mix with half a gallon of pellets and my drako valentino never had any issues. Keep with the cool videos.

[@chrishughes2361]

glad to see um not the only one who talks to the horses like you sir and also thank you for the awesome advice

[@Cayla_cockerill94]

Feeding a horse alfalfa does NOT mean they are starving! Alfalfa is a fantastic hay for nutrition and vitiman I feed my girl this every day, she is looking and feeling FANTASTIC! Alfalfa hay is the BEST you can use to keep weight, nutrition and fiber! Alfalfa hay is NOT a nibble type of hay, it's a hay that keeps the horse healthy and happy, yes I'm a woman and feed my girl alfalfa (the whole biscet) alfalfa has ALWAYS been the best hay to feed. It's full of nutrition , vitamins and minerals!

[@michelleldaviskingjesusret3713]

I love to see them develop their winter coats!

[@timtam6906]

Wow, I never knew people would ever throw away those stems. I wish the place I've been working at had bigger pastures and more grass. It isn't horrible compared to some other boarding places, and I know the owner is wanting and trying to make some changes to make things bigger and healthier so that's good.

[@FITHERTRAINING]

It irritates me how many people believe that animals should eat the same thing all the time! Reality is exactly what you've said, all animals need variety! A little of this and a little of that :) What good boys!!

[@stephaniebennett7149]

I never throw away the alfalfa stems! I know they'll eventually get to it. 😀

[@janemirandafitch6476]

Aussies call flakes "biscuits".

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

that's it, thanks

[@shadylady6863]

My horses have a round bale of grass hay year round. When it gets really cold (5 and below) they are also given alfalfa to help keep them warm. They will get some today and more on Sunday, it won't even be above 0 all day.

[@shadylady6863]

I forgot to add they also live in the pasture. No stalls for my ponies!

[@sarahbeth9525]

I usually have free choice (round bale) of Timothy and orchard grass hay. I couldn't get a round bale this time so I'm feeding squares and I'm concerned about stomach issues because it wont be free choice and will be 2x a day feedings. I worry about them. I'm a worry wart. Also they dont have enough pasture to sustain there bodies. I have a very limited area that I rent for them

[@skyrimluvr1442]

Thank you, Rick Gore, for the cool video, and information on alfalfa and feeding my horse, I was doing it wrong, Thank you so much!! Buddy and Mr T look awesome! :-) :-)

[@bethknuth3548]

I do the choices of water too, nice to see it from others.

[@williamkeil8414]

Excellent video and thank you . I am learning about horses, and taking my time

[@bloomingaccents]

Haa, love it. You are so right about changing it up!

[@adelinasutherland4826]

Wow! Throw hay away? That's crazy. My horses will eventually eat just about every piece they can pick up. I break mine up too. Love your advice .

[@crystalcavell6485]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1BarbieTink]

I think you enjoy doing your "girlie" voice!

[@fionaclayton1234]

100% adorable 💘 just love hangin out with Dad and his gorgeous boys. I'm always in big trouble with hubby who says I'd rather be in Texas with my three horsey faves than with him...I guess sometimes you just have to tell an itty bitty lil ole lie to keep the peace 😂 thanks for the laughs and the learning. Buddy...Mr T...Dad & Mokie too you are THE BEST 💙 💙 💙 💙

[@leahwilson56]

In Australia we call a flake a biscuit. I have never been able to find alfalfa hay here in Australia sadly enough. I keep my horse on pasture and feed a variety of hays which she can nibble at all day long.

[@MistressOP]

Remeber rotational grazing and get chickens on that land. it increases the capacity of grass on your land. Solid pasture grazing.

[@breannakeel2274]

I have a question for all equestrians,what fly spray do you recommend? Where I live we actually don't have that many fly's around but we have a lot of mosquitoes though. Great video Rick!!!

[@roger5585]

+Breanna keel I use a mixture of 1:1 apple cider vinegar to water. I have found that it works really well for keeping the flies off however I'm not too sure how it will work for mosquitoes.

[@laurenrowe5924]

The fibre from the steams helps act as a buffer for their guts

[@sarahbeth9525]

I dont have much pasture so I have to feed hay alot. I'm debating on adding some alfalfa hay to there diet. Right now they have free choice Timothy, orchard grass mix. But I feel like they dont look as good as they should. They are missing something. I wish I had pasture to just turn them out on so they could be natural. Ughh.

[@jlf1309]

Yes. I agree about breaking up the hay. So if the horses don't eat the stems then so what. Was wondering what you think about feeding a horse alfalfa cubes in their feed.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

too easy to choke, not a fan of cubes

[@jlf1309]

@@ThinkLikeAHorse Thank you. 👍

[@susanflowers6282]

I have often wondered if horse's eat the grass in the winter when it's brown. They must I realize, but I have wondered about it.

[@patriciacarranza4550]

Thank you for the helpful information

[@suziewoo2820]

in germany we have almost no alfalfa. some times in special food and it is always cut in small pieces. we never feed this to our horses, it is expensive and the small pieces are (in my opinion) a hazard. only hay 24 h a day. when a horse need more energy in winter, we feed warm mash. rough hay is like a brush to clean the bowl.

[@megequestrian8727]

At my barn they only have alfalfa so I buy my own hay. And the "barn witches" say you shouldn't feed your horse that may types of hay. And I think why do you have a horse.

[@MistressOP]

came back but you should look up Sainfoin

[@retroluckystar]

How old are Buddy and Mister T now? they are looking adorable as usual ❤💖

[@retroluckystar]

Debs Gale Aww those guys are getting up there I hope they stick around forever I love them two and I agree Rick is a good man I love watching all of his videos he has a lot of great facts, advice and throws a little comedy in the mix lol!

[@bbrgemdiamond9703]

buddy n mrt are such big boys

[@calebmoore1337]

So this question seems maybe a little odd, but I was wondering, with Tanner being in his 20's now and having only lived a year in the wild, how many of those memories do you think he still had and how much do you think he issues things taught in the wild in his everyday activities such as grazing a certain way, like toward the sun, as often found in wild animals, and in other things that he does. Again, may seem weird but their is a big difference in how Buddy goes about life versus Tanner.

[@dianereiser6417]

Ive been giving my horses a little bit of alfalfa with Bermuda with their lunch feeding. Just a little bit and I don't pull the stems.

[@sheridansmith9666]

In Australia we call it a biscuit of hay and Lucerne instead of alfalfa

[@roberthillsjr.3729]

Whats good for a horse is a little bit of flake bran with grain. I did this for years and not trouble with colic.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

what is Flake Grain, have not seen it?

[@jb-bl7ej]

My horse doesn't like the stems so I just leave it there till it's all gone an what do you know she eats it all 🤣 nice video by the way 👍

[@slCHARACOUNSELING]

Looking forward to your grain video, I have a gelding we have had for ten years and back then they said he was between 12 and 20 so now he could be 22 or 30. He is starting to lose muscle tone and his back and hipbones are more prominent. He has access to hay all the time and is fed grain twice daily. He has a great appetite so I am wondering if there is anything else he needs as he enters the twilight years?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

I have pictures of horses teeth on my web site that gets you pretty close to age.

[@shoominati23]

It'd be good to give them an antioxidant to counter all the Acidic stuff they'll be eating all day Hey you could put a toilet cistern ball valve on the water trough so you can just have the water on and forget about it.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

NO, that is what lazy people do and then he never check the water for dead critter that fall in and they never change the water since it is too much trouble to disconnect the plumbing and then if it breaks in the summer the horse could be out of water for days since people think I have a auto watering and I don't need to check. Checking the water once or twice a day is needed for many reason and lazy ignorant people that look for lazy and easy way end of making the horse suffered, so I am not a fan of auto waters.

[@shoominati23]

No, I'm not saying don't check it... but I know you can get them for cattle i.e Cow and Sheep etc troughs .. if you are in a freezing condition, you SHOULD check them at least once a day as part of your morning walk / dirtbike about. I'm only talking about when they have to be on the heater, not the rest of the year, I mean you would want your horses to have water for the 8 to 10 hours you are not out in the fields asleep yeah? But , to go back to my answer before, are there any good antioxidants we can feed our horses later in the day to balance out all the acids in their artery tracts? regular grass must be full of it.

[@oink2146]

I hope I wasn't to blind to find the information in description or comments...would you tell me where to get these Waterbuckets with the heateroption? And does the heater stop heating, if the waterlevel is to low? Hope one can understand my questions - my english is not the best. Thanks so far.

[@seller559]

My weaner calves can't eat alf either...too hot. Forage or oat hay. Bermuda with very little supplement keeps my old horse looking good.

[@seller559]

Its a grass. Not sure if you have it there although you have the climate. I`m not sure it is a native grass here either. Its has low energy so it is not too hot.

[@dibade1961]

How big is your pasture? Also, do you feed grain? Any preference on brand?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

I just did a video today about grain, it should be up in a few days.

[@dibade1961]

Think Like A Horse thanks!

[@DCogsdil]

Doesn't it produce heat. In winter time mine would get a flake each everyday. Coastal all the time with pasture. I would mix my own feed 12% pellets in summer n 14% in winter mixed with crimp oats n crushed corn. Mix n a big 50 gallon drum. For two horses feed twice a day lasted two weeks.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

wow that's a lot of grain, I just did a video on how much grain I feed, it should be up in a few days, I feed really little.

[@HarmoniusLife]

My horse can roam all over the place, yet he barely has any teeth and I'm wondering what I can give instead of hay. I've been giving him all kinds of pulps, but I also want to know if that is better.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

if he can't chew hay may choke or colic, so man made foods may be only choice.

[@rango9404]

Do you throw away your water often? Maybe to clean it?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

everyday in summer every few days in winter, in the cold the water does not heat up, get insects or go stale or stagnant as much.

[@rango9404]

Think Like A Horse Ahh thanks for the comment. Makes sense.

[@joannab7299]

I have to feed her cubes because she struggles to eat hay since she was neglected and probably never had her teeth done. I would like to get some more different types of cubes... can I just mix it to provide a variety?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

I like pellets better than cubes less choking, smaller to chew

[@shoominati23]

Half a Bushell?

[@jeliarra]

Learn something new everyday: Didn't know a horse can't vomit.

[@taylordenton9886]

I like to think of feeding horses somewhat similar to how you feed a person. If you feed yourself the same thing constantly with no variation it not only gets old but also it effects your body. Same with horses. As a kid I was always told too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Its about finding a balance for your horses so they get what they need and keeps them healthy and happy.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

too much various is not good, less is more in horses.

[@taylordenton9886]

That makes sense. I just meant adding a little variation not constantly changing their diet or anything constantly. I like that you give your horses choices while still giving them the food they need.

[@leahbrigeman9252]

I am moving my horse closer to me. Is there anything I can do to make easier or less streesfull for her?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

move in day so it has lots of daylight to see everything and spend some time with just sitting and hanging out so it is not alone in a strange new place.

[@leahbrigeman9252]

Think Like A Horse Thank you so much I am sure she will appreciate it😊

[@zequinez4769]

I'm Australian and call it a biscuit

[@larryBurndorf]

Buddy looks rather hefty lately.

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

both horses could be skinnier, but in winter their extra fur makes them look even bigger.

[@Porschesvideos]

what kind of black mats are you using around your troughs? is it like a heavy liner for a koi pond type of thing? or?? i have a really THICK liner for fish i was thinking of using. your thoughts?

[@erinnkemp]

Where in California do you travel to?

[@gennifervarn563]

Does Mr T ever make a noise, besides honking, lol?

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

He calls for buddy if he loses him and will snort or blow to threat

[@fionaclayton1234]

Wise ole Mr T....might not say much but he doesn't miss a trick.... the way he looks at Dad cracks me up. 😂

[@alfredhurtado2185]

the outro was funny

[@chloegeorginareynolds9475]

Furry friends 💗 I love mr T & Buddy 😘 & Rick hehe

[@TheAnneandEmilyShow]

I go to UC Davis! :)

[@stephaniemathias2343]

is it just me or is Buddy looking a little bit chubby lol

[@ryanmoeller3308]

Well, it is getting colder.. He needs that winter layer. :D

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

he is big boned :) but winter fur always makes them both look bigger and they may be storing up some winter fat for the cold coming in.

[@ryanmoeller3308]

Think Like A Horse My mom told me I was "big boned" when I was younger. My brother said I was fat. Lol

[@cholewestone1757]

Think Like A Horse what type of horse is buddy rick

[@pureglory88]

Chole Westone. He's a quarter horse. Rick has a video on their histories.

[@scarletttoohey-crock6637]

we call them biscutsvin aus

[@justalookylo1189]

my horse likes his light =|...

[@doublebuckshot1612]

loaf of hay

[@RELVI5]

We'll end dat derrr

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

its we'll end THAT THERE.. lol it's texas talk

[@fuzzbunn9773]

Think Like A Horse I honesty did not know about breaking up the alfalfa flakes in Canada we call them flakes too thanks for the info!

[@iloveballs444]

The only reason my horse gets alfalfa is because it reduces her cribbing.

[@alinareybey3263]

Baby Seal I don't think any feed reduces any stable habits. Cribbing is caused my boredom. If your horse is eating all day they won't crib. And if they get out everyday.

[@iloveballs444]

Alina Reybey My horse was abused, and locked up in a stall most of her life. She developed cribbing, but stopped for 4 years. She now has an acid build up in her stomach, possibly from past olsers, and she now cribs once again. She cribs to relieve the pain, but it is actually only making it worse. The alfalfa hay coats the lining of her stomach, essentially reducing the pain. I've seen a huge difference in her cribbing, and it's reduced so much.

[@iloveballs444]

sonseere10 My horse is in a herd of 5, including her.

[@alinareybey3263]

Baby Seal ohh ok that makes sense :)

[@iloveballs444]

sonseere10 There probably is, but this is just what I know for a fact

[@carolv8450]

Looks like Buddy is hogging the alfalfa.

[@bloomingaccents]

Carol V I noticed that too!

[@dottierambo8851]

Yummy.....

[@dannettepeters1507]

They mowed thru that flake of alfalfa, in the time of this 8 minute video!

[@pinkrose1990]

Hi boy's:)

[@ThinkLikeAHorse]

Hi pinky rose, Buddy & Mr. T

[@kokoro37]

Huh I never knew garlic was bad for horses, good to know. Though I want know what idiot thinks feeding horses yogurt is normal... Smh