Could Alfalfa have caused laminitis / laminitis-like symptoms?!

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StarcatcherWilliam

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Just over two weeks ago, my underweight 8 year old TB developed laminitis-like symptoms. Initially I thought it was bruising as he escaped from the field and cantered a very short distance down a tarmac lane (downhill). He was lame immediately after but sound the next day. However, three days later he was very lame and I called the vet who diagnosed laminitis. I thought it was very strange that he should have developed laminitis but assumed it must have been caused by the concussive effect of cantering on the hard ground (albeit only for about 30 metres!). I have only owned him for three months and have been feeding him a low sugar conditioning feed. After two weeks of box rest, with bute, having soaked hay and only chaff to mix his meds into, his symptoms have not improved. I have done a lot of research over the past two weeks and there are a few references on line about alfalfa causing heat in the hooves with associated lameness etc. I was recommended Alfa-A by a Saracens feed rep as a way of putting weight on my horse and opted for the no sugar version. He started on this feed the same day as his jaunt down the lane, which would coincide with his symptoms starting. Obviously I stopped giving him the Alfa-A yesterday as soon as I'd read about the problems it can cause in some horses. His symptoms have improved slightly although obviously I need to give it more time to know for sure if Alfa-A was the culprit. Vet is coming back tomorrow. Am I clutching at straws here or has anyone else experienced anything like this with alfalfa? Thanks :-)
 
I have fed alfalfa for many years and never had a problem with it. I think your horse will be suffering from 'mechanical laminitis' caused by the bruising or tearing of the sensitive laminae. The concussion from trotting etc on hard ground can cause this type of laminitis.
 
Fairynuff said:
I have fed alfalfa for many years and never had a problem with it. I think your horse will be suffering from 'mechanical laminitis' caused by the bruising or tearing of the sensitive laminae. The concussion from trotting etc on hard ground can cause this type of laminitis.
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OK thank you. Weirdly he has it in his hinds, which doesn't make a lot of sense.
 
I wouldnt feed alfalfa to any of mine, they are all barefoot-not saying this is the problem but its accepted to cause footiness in some. A friend had a cob with laminitis in the hinds only, had a job convincing the vet but she was right.
 
We don't feed alfalfa atm because we have 2 who react very badly to it but I have fed it very successfully to a mare who couldn't tolerate a number of other feeds.
OP, I wouldn't be surprised if the cause of your horse's laminitis were concussion but if you have been feeding Alfa-A Original, that is molassed, so could have contributed to the problem.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
We don't feed alfalfa atm because we have 2 who react very badly to it but I have fed it very successfully to a mare who couldn't tolerate a number of other feeds.
OP, I wouldn't be surprised if the cause of your horse's laminitis were concussion but if you have been feeding Alfa-A Original, that is molassed, so could have contributed to the problem.
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Can I ask what affect it has on the two that react badly to it?

I bought the non molassed Alfa A as he is a wind sucker and I try to keep him on a low sugar diet.
 
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