Does anyone use lucern nuts?

[benson21]

I have been told that, along with the exercise, these are good for putting some condition and muscle on. Just wanting to know what people thought if them.
And which type people use , nuts, pellets etc?

 

[monkeybum13]

Lucerne = alfalfa. Might help using both terms if doing a search

 

[Pen_name]

They're alfalfa and don't agree with all horses. The cubes we used to use were quite hard so they were soaked. Can't find them anymore though.

 

[tallyho!]

Meee! I use them.

I use Dengie's alfalfa pellets (Mole Valley do a good deal from time to time so I stock up)

A few others do lucie nuts. No idea on cost.

They are good for condition but slightly unbalanced vit n min wise so I give it soaked with speedibeet (sorts out the calcium). I know quite a few breeders who use it for broodies, weanlings n stallys because of the protein content. So def good for muscle.

 

[Batgirl]

A few horses on my yard are on Lucie nuts, soaked (we call it the green sludge). The stallion included and they are quite good for build up and condition. Really rate them.

 

[Armas]

I feed fresh Alfalfa during the winter. One slice from a small bale per day he loves it. It has many benefits, should be fed in moderation and as a previous poster has said it does not agree with some horses.

 

[be positive]

I use the Dengie alfalfa pellets, mainly as a top up during the winter, I add them as they are, not soaked, to the fast fibre base, they are a good quality extra that are low in starch and sugar.

 

[JillA]

I use alfalfa pellets (Dengie) for more protein in my hay replacer diets. Bit pricier than grass nuts - they both get soaked along with the Speedybeet, so that they get well mixed and don't bolt them, even if they aren't dentally challenged like my veteran. Useful source of extra protein IMO

 

[tallyho!]

Thats right you dont have to soak. There is a way to soak them so they don't go sloppy, 1:1 pellets to water, they just go fluffy then.

If they intolerant, check for sensitive feet, or changes in the skin or even in behaviour. I think it's a type of protein they contain that doesn't agree with all horses.