No, alfalfa itself does not directly cause a horse to become spooky. Alfalfa spookiness in horses is usually linked to the overall diet, specifically the high energy and protein content found in alfalfa when fed improperly or in excess, which can lead to excitability.
Many horse owners worry about giving their horses alfalfa hay. They hear stories that it makes horses high-strung or “hot.” This concern is common, especially for owners of sensitive or nervous horses. We need to look closely at what alfalfa really is. We must also see how it fits into a horse’s total diet. This article will clear up the myths and give you the real facts about feeding alfalfa to your horse.
Deconstructing the Alfalfa Myth: What is Alfalfa?
Alfalfa is a legume, not a grass. It is famous for being very nutritious. People have fed it to horses for a very long time. It is a staple food source in many parts of the world.
Nutritional Value: Why Alfalfa is So Good
Alfalfa is packed with good things for horses. It has more protein than most grass hays. It is also rich in calcium and other minerals.
| Nutrient | Alfalfa Hay (Typical) | Grass Hay (Typical) | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 16% – 24% | 8% – 12% | Muscle building, repair |
| Energy (TDN) | Higher | Lower | Fuel for work |
| Calcium | High | Low to Moderate | Bone strength |
| Vitamin A | High | Varies | Eye and skin health |
This high nutrient density is great for growing foals, hard-working performance horses, and lactating mares. These groups need extra fuel and protein.
Alfalfa and Energy Levels
The main reason people link alfalfa to spooky behavior is its energy density. Energy in feed is often measured as Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). Alfalfa has more TDN than most grass hay.
If a horse does not need that much energy, the extra fuel gets stored. Often, this stored energy shows up as restlessness or high spirits. This is not the alfalfa being toxic. It is just too much fuel for the horse’s activity level. This leads directly to questions about high protein feed causing excitability in horses.
The Real Link: Diet, Energy, and Behavior
When a horse seems spooky after eating alfalfa, it is usually about energy balance. We are looking at alfalfa side effects horses may show when the diet does not match their work level.
Forage First Rule
Every horse diet should start with forage (hay or pasture). Forage provides the slow, steady energy horses need to keep their guts working right. Horses are meant to graze all day long.
If you swap out a lower-energy grass hay for rich alfalfa, you are suddenly giving the horse more calories. A horse that is only lightly exercising—say, just walking around the paddock—might not use up this extra energy. The excess energy makes them feel frisky. This friskiness can look a lot like being spooky.
Protein vs. Calories
People often blame the protein in alfalfa for causing excitability. While protein is essential, the high calorie count is usually the main driver of ‘hotness.’ High protein is crucial for building muscle. If the horse is not working hard enough to use those amino acids, the body still processes them. This processing demands energy, sometimes leading to an overall feeling of increased energy or restlessness.
Feeding alfalfa to nervous horses needs careful thought. If a horse is already prone to anxiety, adding a richer feed without increasing workload is a recipe for more spooky behavior.
Alfalfa Toxicity: Separating Fact from Fear
A major concern for horse owners is alfalfa toxicity horses might suffer from. Is there any truth to this?
The Danger of Excessive Calcium
Alfalfa is high in calcium. If a horse eats nothing but alfalfa for a very long time, and does not get enough phosphorus, it can cause a mineral imbalance. This can lead to skeletal problems, especially in growing horses. This is called secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism.
However, this imbalance takes time to develop. In a normal feeding situation where the horse gets some balance from other sources, this is rare. It is not what makes a horse spooky overnight.
Alfalfa Mold and Endophytes
The real danger in old or poorly stored alfalfa often involves mold or fungal toxins. Moldy hay can cause digestive upset, colic, or respiratory issues. Some grasses have endophytes (fungi that live inside the plant) that cause toxic reactions, but alfalfa is generally not a major carrier of these performance-sapping toxins found in certain cool-season grasses. Always check hay for dust, mold, or strange smells. Bad hay makes horses sick, not just spooky.
Managing Spookiness When Feeding Alfalfa
If you need the benefits of alfalfa—like for muscle building or weight gain—but you have a sensitive horse, you need a good plan. This section focuses on alfalfa management for sensitive horses.
Step 1: Test Your Hay
Before changing anything, test the hay you are feeding. Know the exact protein and energy levels. This stops guesswork. A lab test tells you precisely what you are dealing with.
Step 2: Assess the Workload
Be honest about how much your horse works.
- Light Work (Walking, very slow trail rides): Rich alfalfa might be too much. Stick to grass hay.
- Moderate Work (Riding several times a week, schooling): A mix of half grass and half alfalfa is often a good starting point.
- Heavy Work (Competition, intense training): Full alfalfa, or a significant portion, might be necessary to meet energy demands.
Step 3: Dilute the Richness
If your horse needs the forage intake but not the energy spike, dilute the alfalfa. Mix it 50/50 with a low-energy grass hay, like Timothy or Orchard grass. This maintains gut fill and fiber intake while lowering the overall energy density. This is key for calming horses on alfalfa.
Step 4: Feed Strategically
Feed the largest hay portions when the horse is resting or overnight. If you feed a large meal of alfalfa right before riding, that readily available energy can contribute to excitability during the ride. Split meals throughout the day to keep the digestive system moving slowly.
Hay Type Spookiness Horses: Grass vs. Legume
The debate over hay type spookiness horses is ongoing. Many people find that horses fed mostly rich grass hays (like certain coastal bermudas) can also become excitable. Why? Because energy content matters more than the plant species itself.
Some horses are simply “easy keepers” or “hot types.” They convert feed to energy very efficiently. For these horses, almost any high-energy forage can cause behavioral changes if fed too much.
It is often the quantity of digestible energy provided by the hay, rather than the name “alfalfa,” that drives the change in behavior.
Strategies for Managing Anxious Horses on High-Energy Feed
When you have a horse that is already prone to anxiety, managing anxious horses on high-energy feed becomes a top priority. Alfalfa might just be the easiest high-energy feed source to identify.
Focus on Fiber Intake
Ensure the horse is eating enough fiber daily. Low forage intake is a huge stressor on a horse’s gut and mind. A stressed gut often leads to a stressed horse. Always aim for 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight in forage daily.
Slow Feeders and Grazing Muzzles
Use slow-feed hay nets or tubs. These devices make the horse work longer for the same amount of hay. This mimics natural grazing behavior. Slow feeding keeps the gut stimulated and reduces periods of fasting, which can sometimes increase anxiety.
Adjusting Concentrates
If you are feeding grain or commercial feeds, check those labels first. Sometimes, the concentrate is the main source of quick energy. If you reduce the grain and increase the amount of grass hay, you might find the horse calms down, even if you keep some alfalfa in the diet for its protein quality.
The Role of Calming Supplements
If dietary adjustments aren’t enough, owners look toward nutritional support. There are many calming supplements for horses on alfalfa. These usually contain ingredients like Magnesium, L-Tryptophan, or B vitamins.
- Magnesium: Plays a role in nerve function. A deficiency can sometimes lead to increased nervousness. Supplementing can support a relaxed state.
- L-Tryptophan: An amino acid precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with calmness and well-being.
These supplements can help buffer the effects of high energy intake, especially when feeding alfalfa to nervous horses. However, they are not a magic fix. They work best when paired with correct feeding management.
Comprehending the Calories: How Much is Too Much?
To stop alfalfa spookiness in horses, we must grasp their energy needs. A horse’s requirement depends on its job.
- Maintenance Horse (A resting horse): Needs about 1.5 Mcal of digestible energy per 100 lbs of body weight per day.
- Light Work Horse: Needs about 2.0 Mcal per 100 lbs per day.
- Heavy Work Horse: Needs 3.0 Mcal or more per 100 lbs per day.
A pound of alfalfa hay typically has about 1.1 to 1.2 Mcal.
If a 1,000-lb horse is only maintaining weight (needs 15 Mcal) but is eating 15 pounds of rich alfalfa (giving 16.5 Mcal), that extra 1.5 Mcal has to go somewhere. That extra energy often translates to being more active or feeling “spooky.”
Common Misconceptions Addressed
Let’s tackle some specific worries directly related to this feed.
Misconception 1: Alfalfa is inherently bad for easy keepers.
Fact: Alfalfa is not bad for any horse if fed correctly. An easy keeper needs less volume of feed. If they are maintained on 2% of their body weight in hay, and you feed 1% grass hay and 1% alfalfa, they get the benefit of alfalfa’s nutrition without excessive calories.
Misconception 2: Only alfalfa causes this.
Fact: Many high-sugar or high-starch feeds can cause excitability. Sweet feeds, molasses-coated pellets, and even some rich grass pastures can cause similar reactions. The issue lies with readily available carbohydrates and energy spikes, not just the alfalfa plant itself.
Misconception 3: I must eliminate alfalfa completely to calm my horse.
Fact: If your horse benefits from alfalfa’s protein (e.g., they are older and losing muscle mass), try mixing it with a very low-energy grass hay. You may only need to reduce the percentage of alfalfa in the diet, not eliminate it entirely.
Interpreting Your Horse’s Reaction
When you notice a change in your horse’s mood after introducing or increasing alfalfa, take a step back. Ask these questions:
- Did I change only the hay? (If yes, the hay is the likely source of extra energy.)
- Did the horse start working less at the same time? (If yes, energy intake is too high for the output.)
- Is the hay moldy or dusty? (If yes, the horse feels unwell, which causes bad moods.)
- Are there other stressors present? (New barn mates, new rider, moving stalls?)
If the hay change is the only variable, focus on calming horses on alfalfa through careful rationing and pairing it with lower-energy forage.
Practical Steps for Switching to or Managing Alfalfa
If you decide alfalfa is needed or beneficial, follow these steps for a smooth transition.
Slow Introduction is Key
Never switch hay types overnight. A horse’s digestive system needs time to adjust. This is vital for preventing colic and managing behavior.
- Week 1: Feed 75% old hay, 25% new alfalfa.
- Week 2: Feed 50% old hay, 50% new alfalfa.
- Week 3: Feed 25% old hay, 75% new alfalfa.
- Week 4: Feed 100% new alfalfa (if appropriate for your feeding goals).
Observe your horse closely during this four-week period for any changes in behavior or manure consistency.
Utilizing Bulk Fiber Sources
If you are trying to keep the horse full but low-energy, use low-quality grass hay as the bulk of the diet. Supplement with a small, measured amount of high-quality alfalfa cubes or pellets soaked well, rather than just feeding bales of rich hay. This allows precise control over the nutrient load while satisfying the horse’s need to chew.
This careful approach helps prevent the quick energy surges associated with alfalfa side effects horses often exhibit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can alfalfa cause ulcers in horses?
While alfalfa does not directly cause ulcers, it can help manage them. Alfalfa is highly buffered due to its high calcium content. This means it is excellent at neutralizing stomach acid. If a horse is prone to ulcers, feeding alfalfa (if necessary) alongside a balanced diet is often recommended by veterinarians to help manage acid levels.
Is alfalfa safe for older horses?
Yes, alfalfa is often highly beneficial for older horses. Senior horses frequently have trouble maintaining weight and muscle mass. The high protein and easy digestibility of alfalfa make it excellent for supporting muscle retention and providing necessary calories for weight maintenance.
Should I feed alfalfa pellets instead of hay?
Alfalfa pellets can be a good tool for controlled feeding, but they should not replace the majority of your horse’s forage. The act of chewing long-strand hay is vital for gut health and mental well-being. Pellets should supplement, not substitute, quality hay.
How long does it take for dietary changes to affect a horse’s mood?
Behavioral changes from a feed change can sometimes be seen within a few days if the change in energy is significant. However, for full nutritional impact, allow at least two to three weeks. Consistency is key when managing anxious horses on high-energy feed.
What if my horse is eating grass pasture and alfalfa hay? Isn’t that too much energy?
It certainly can be. If your horse has access to rich, lush spring pasture and is also eating alfalfa hay, you are providing a very high-energy diet. In these situations, you must severely restrict the pasture time using a grazing muzzle or strip grazing, or switch entirely to a low-energy grass hay until the pasture dies back or the workload increases.