lisareno
Member
Hi all have heard recently that there is a link that feeding alfalfa is a possible trigger for cushings disease. Any info on this greatly appreciated.
Alfalfa & Cushings Linked?
- Thread starter lisareno
- Start date
Llwyncwn
Well-Known Member
Omg! Where did you hear this? I would be really interested to know too, especially as all of mine eat it, and the laminitic.
lisareno
Member
Whilst researching the disease in depth earlier this year it was mentioned as a possible factor
Paint it Lucky
Well-Known Member
Did it say why? Calcium, protein content?
lisareno
Member
We found that Stachydrine is found in alfalfa plant which is a form of steriod, fed over time could possibly lead to cushings disease. Hope didnt alarm you, still looking for answers myself as my laminitic is fed it too.
zigzag
Well-Known Member
I have a horse with cushings that gets alfalfa in winter!!
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
We found that Stachydrine is found in alfalfa plant which is a form of steriod, fed over time could possibly lead to cushings disease. Hope didnt alarm you, still looking for answers myself as my laminitic is fed it too.
[/ QUOTE ]
Presumably though this is when fed in huge quantities, over a long period of time?
Unlikely to actually effect your average pony?
We found that Stachydrine is found in alfalfa plant which is a form of steriod, fed over time could possibly lead to cushings disease. Hope didnt alarm you, still looking for answers myself as my laminitic is fed it too.
[/ QUOTE ]
Presumably though this is when fed in huge quantities, over a long period of time?
Unlikely to actually effect your average pony?
LeneHorse
Well-Known Member
This is very interesting. My last horse had teeth problems and could not eat hay so after trying different feeds we found she did best on Alfa A mixed with sugar beet as a hay replacer. So she was getting a lot of alfa a. At 13 she started getting a hairy coat but vets did not think cushings due to her age. I insisted she got tested and it was positive. We had only just started medicating her when she developed devastating laminitis (pedal bones in all 4 feet rotated) and had to be pts. This happened 5 years ago and this is the first time i have heard of a likn with alfa a. I had been thinking maybe the molasses had caused EMS but I don't think EMS horses get the hairy coat?
Llwyncwn
Well-Known Member
What a terrible time you had and not really knowing the cause. This is a subject I shall be watching out for in the future.
Paint it Lucky
Well-Known Member
I am worried now! Lenehorse I am sorry to hear of your loss
Original poster, has this theory been proved or was it just speculation and as Bossanova said, what quantities did they feed?
lisareno
Member
It was touched on at a conference at Stoneleigh last year, however the association & prognosis was very much in its early stages.
Scarlett1980
Well-Known Member
I think it would have to be in huge quantities over time. I always thought it was more to do with the sugar and starch content of a diet.