Nutrient Composition and Feed Hygiene of Alfalfa, Comparison of Feed Intake and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Horses Fed Alfalfa Haylage, Alfalfa Hay or Meadow Hay.

This study investigated the nutritional components and health effects of feeding horses alfalfa haylage in comparison to alfalfa hay and meadow hay. The research found that alfalfa haylage offers a viable alternative for horse feed due to its similar nutrient content and no notable adverse effects on horses’ metabolic parameters.

Methodology

• Eleven geldings were used in this study. These horses were fed alfalfa haylage (AS), alfalfa hay (AH), and meadow hay (MH) in a Latin square design. This means that each horse had access to and consumed each type of feed in turn.
• Researchers collected blood, urine, and fecal samples from the horses throughout the course of the study in order to evaluate their metabolic health.
• The research team also analyzed aspects of feed hygiene and crude nutrients in each forage type, along with any microbial content that could indicate product degradation or contamination.

Results

• The study found excessive bacterial and fungal activity in numerous feed samples, suggesting potential spoilage or contamination. However, these findings did not differ markedly among samples of AS, AH, and MH.
• The median crude protein content of AS was found to be comparable to that of AH and significantly greater than that of MH. Hence, AS seemed to provide at least as much protein as AH, possibly making it a good alternative horse feed.
• Calcium levels in AS were considerably greater than those in MH but not AH, indicating the potential for higher calcium intake for horses fed AS.
• All metabolic parameters analyzed from the blood samples remained within the reference ranges, demonstrating that the feeding regimens did not adversely affect the horses’ metabolic health.
• The difference in fractional excretion (FE) percentages between different forages was insignificant, suggesting similar absorption and digestion patterns across the three forage types.

Conclusion

• This study concluded that alfalfa haylage offers a viable alternative for equine nutrition. Despite the microbiological concerns raised in relation to feed hygiene, all three forages were tolerated by the horses, as evidenced by their metabolic parameters.

Please note that it would be important to monitor microbiological levels and take any necessary preventative measures to ensure feed hygiene, regardless of the type of hay being fed.