Alternative to Alfa A Oil?

[deoni]

I have had my horse on alfa a oil and it has worked very well, shes very round at the min! However someone told me alfalfa can make them lumpy and itchy and in the summer she was a bit lumpy and is a bit itchy still. (she is very sensitive) What would be a good swap? She is a tb so need to keep weight on, but that has been easy so far and also going to take her shoes back off for winter so need to be unshod horse friendly too Was thinking Pure Feeds though they seem expensive?

 

[Polotash]

Lots of things can make them lumpy and itchy... like flies and heat (e.g. if overrugged).

Did you notice the bumps starting when you started Alfa?

 

[wench]

Pure feeds is a complete feed alfa-a isnt.

You could try Mollichaf condition - no alfalfa in this, or Just Grass etc and add some veg oil

 

[deoni]

Lots of things can make them lumpy and itchy... like flies and heat (e.g. if overrugged).

Did you notice the bumps starting when you started Alfa?

She hasnt been rugged much yet, just a lightweight on at night. But she doesnt like the flies though, but is still itching this morn unrugged and there were no flies about? I just thought that it was worth cutting alfalfa out to see if that helps Shes not itching much though, just more than the others and I've had her on alfa a oil since i got her a year ago and she has always been itchy!

 

[deoni]

Pure feeds is a complete feed alfa-a isnt.

You could try Mollichaf condition - no alfalfa in this, or Just Grass etc and add some veg oil

Thanks, will look at mollichaf. A complete feed would be easier maybe!

 

[Polotash]

Well it's worth a try (taking her off Alfa and looking at what happens with bumps), but bear in mind it's also end of fly season, so you could get a false positive!

Personally I don't like feeding chaff, had so many choke on it :0(

 

[TGM]

I would go for one of the grass chaffs if you want to check whether the alfalfa is causing problems - Readigrass, Graze-On, Just Grass etc.

 

[deoni]

Well it's worth a try (taking her off Alfa and looking at what happens with bumps), but bear in mind it's also end of fly season, so you could get a false positive!

Personally I don't like feeding chaff, had so many choke on it :0(

Thanks, the bumps went about a month ago, think it was flies as they seem to have gone at the min!

 

[thatsmygirl]

What about micro linseed? I know it's not a sort off chaff but it's very good at putting on/keeping weight and is hoof friendly. Personally I wouldn't touch the mollichaff range most of the products are far to high in sugar/starch.

 

[Polotash]

Thanks, the bumps went about a month ago, think it was flies as they seem to have gone at the min!

So you already know it wasn't the alfa making her itchy?

 

[deoni]

So you already know it wasn't the alfa making her itchy?

No, she is still itchy! Just the bumps have gone.

 

[Maesfen]

Many horses can't tolerate alfa a, I know it brings me out in a rash if I touch it so won't use it at all but you could try Graze On grass pellets which you can either soak or not (they're good in snack balls if you use one). They're very good for keeping/putting weight on. http://www.northerncropdriers.co.uk/products

 

[deoni]

So the bumps could just be flies as they have both gone, but she is still itchy!
heres a picture of the bumps when she had them.

 

[Polotash]

So the bumps could just be flies as they have both gone, but she is still itchy!
heres a picture of the bumps when she had them.

Ahhh, def worth cutting out alfa for a bit then ;0)

She reminds me of my old polo pony, lovely looking girl.

 

[Kallibear]

That does look like mild hives.

Def cut out the Alfala for a couple of weeks and see.

Alternatives inc sugarbeet (can be feed in large quantities) and the dried grasses (very high in energy)

 

[EventingMum]

One of mine comes up in lumps with Alpha A Oil and also did so with the Hickstead Horse Feeds equivalent (can't remember what it's called). Swapped him onto HiFi Lite and no lumps

 

[deoni]

Thanks everyone. Have half a bag left then will swap, will check out those suggestions.