Is alfalfa hay an alternative to meadow hay in equine nutrition?

Abstract

Roughage alternatives for equine nutrition must be found due to the increasing climatic challenges. The aim of this study was to examine the nutrient composition and feed hygiene of alfalfa hay in comparison to meadow hay and to investigate the acceptance, weight development and faecal quality of broodmares fed alfalfa hay. The feed used was examined for nutrient content and hygiene status according to the standards of the Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten (VDLUFA). Twenty adult pregnant warmblood mares were fed in two groups (n=10) with a defined amount of alfalfa hay or meadow hay in a controlled study with a wash-out phase and subsequent crossing of the groups. Alfalfa hay intake was observed daily, and bodyweight was recorded weekly. On day 0 (T0) and day 28 (T28) of each study period, fresh faecal samples were collected and analyzed for pH, dry matter (DM) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The hygienic quality of the alfalfa and meadow hay was slightly reduced (quality level II) on average. The intake of the alfalfa hay was carried out in all mares without backweighing. The median crude protein content of the alfalfa hay was 134 g/kg DM, the median calcium content was 13,9 g/kg DM and the median magnesium content was 1,50 g/kg DM. Horses fed alfalfa showed a significantly greater median percent weight gain of 3,25 % compared to hay-fed horses (1,68 %) (p.