Alfalfa & Cushings Linked?

[lisareno]

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.

 

[Llwyncwn]

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]

Whilst researching the disease in depth earlier this year it was mentioned as a possible factor

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Did it say why? Calcium, protein content?

 

[lisareno]

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]

I have a horse with cushings that gets alfalfa in winter!!

 

[Bossanova]

[ 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?

 

[LeneHorse]

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]

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]

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]

It was touched on at a conference at Stoneleigh last year, however the association & prognosis was very much in its early stages.

 

[Scarlett1980]

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.