Alfalfa hay! Urgent

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Kerry&Star

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Hi guys,
My pony has been diagnosed last night with liver disease. My vet has advised to feed her alfafa hay, does anyone know where I can buy some around kent? I've tried local feed barns and have had no luck..
Any help is much appreciated. Thank you
 
What about alfalfa products like Alfa A or similar? Lucerne is another name for alfalfa...have you tried ringing around using both names?
 
Try Simple Systems - a lot of their products are lucerne/ alfalfa. I don't know if they do hay but they do lucie stalks and lucie bricks that are forage. They are very helpful if you contact them too.
 
TwoStroke said:
I thought a low protein diet was indicated for liver disease?
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Yes, I was just thinking that. The Marksway one is 12 - 15% protein I think. I do know good quality (as in easily digested) protein is important though in liver disease.

ps.Or is that rather protein that's easily digested and metabolized?
 
Last edited:
amandap said:
Yes, I was just thinking that. The Marksway one is 12 - 15% protein I think. I do know good quality (as in easily digested) protein is important though in liver disease.

ps.Or is that rather protein that's easily digested and metabolized?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think it is. When a horse I used to look after was diagnosed with liver disease the owner was advised to feed less than 12% protein.

I'm sure the vet knows his business best, though.
 
There's a quite informative thread about liver issues in veterinary at the moment. I too understood it's about keeping fats low in particular, but am clearly not a vet!
 
I am surrpised he recommended Alfalfa, that was one of the things on the 'no' list for my horse. In fact it was top of the no list with soya oil.
 
I too am a little surprised vet recommended alfalfa. My vet advised me this was a no go for my mare when our liver issues started. Even tho its one of the few things she can eat as she allergic to lots. Thought it was low protein but high quality protein for the liver. So perhaps talk it through with your vet to see why he recommends it before you go buy something which may make it worse.
 
Alfalfa is naturally high in protein but low in sugar. Be careful of some of the alfalfa chaffs as they may be molassed, contain soya oil or straw. Simple System do various alfalfa feeds including some bales of alfalfa hay. Why not give their helpline a ring?
 
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