I was curious about alfalfa cubes a few months ago and decided to stay with it because of the advantages of smaller storage space;lack of hay for sale here in Va.,easier to feed.I am confused from mixed advice stating you can't feed horses only alfalfa,which by the way I buy my cubes from www.bio-cube.com and they state a lot of people are going to pure cubes as a replacement to hay.If this is so,do I need to feed anything else,such as sweet feed,oates,??They have been on 10lbs a day each for three months now and are keeping their weight very good.I also leave salt block and keep large tub of water at feeding area.Any advice please?

No advice...sorry. But am interested in what advice you do get. We also have a big hay shortage. (Driving 200 miles to buy hay...and hope the guy has some more!) So I went out and bought every bag of cubes TSC had in stock...figure they can sit around til Winter, if I need them.

Have you noticed any changes in your horses? Wondering if they are a little more hot being just on alfalfa.

I'll keep checking your post!

Opinions of what type of hay is best seems to be a regional thing. Some areas want straight alfalfa some grass. Horses can do well on both or even something else (other areas of the world)
The only "problem" with feeding cubes or pellets is boredom. some horses will start to crib. Sounds like yours are getting enough to eat and are doing well.

I get mine from TSC too.I get some criticism from the old-fashioned Horse owners that there is nothing better than hay.I used to feed 10% sweet feed with their hay,but stopped it with the cubes.I am sort of cautious about them getting too much protein in their diet.Whether that matters or not,I haven't a clue.I have heard it isn't good for a stud Horse.Doesn't it seem to you too that your measured cube ration doesn't seem like much?But I strictly go by what the bag says.Also to note,I haven't noticed any cribbing,even though my filly chews on everything anyways.

I know what you mean about the amount given. Seems so little for such big animals. I have only used mine (so far) in the winter. Soaked them in warm water and only fed them once a day. I only had one horse (in this state anyway) back then and he had round bales in his pasture. I do have to board and don't think it was the greatest quality hay, so I guess I gave him the cubes for my own peace of mind.

I now have 3 boys here. (brought the other two from California in the Spring.) I am worried about how they will fare in a real winter. I still board but now buy my own (quality) hay .

When I became aware of this great hay shortage (yes, with NO hay at home) I HAD to feed them the cubes. They just kind of looked at me, like this was some kind of cruel joke. But to them, food is food, and of course they ate.

Do you feed your cubes dry? I think I read on here about soaking them so they don't choke on them. I assume you've had no problems.

I guess I have one of those "old timer" beliefs, too. I prefer hay, but lately it seems like you do what you've got to do. Your horses are keeping their weight well?

Well, good luck with your horses. Especially that filly!! How old is she? Just got a new puppy (after not having one for 16 years) so I totally understand the never ending chewing!

I guess if it is working for you, then keep at it! you probably will have to up the amount slightly in the winter though, as they require more energy to keep warm.

I know alot of people, in various states feed nothing but alfalfa hay, and in some of the western states all people feed IS alfalfa cubes, so I am geuss it can be done. The only real opposition I have to a strict alfalfa diet is that it is a very high protien diet that is hard on the kidneys for horses...so when a person can, it is probably a good thing to have regular grass hay, or something of the like available to counteract the high protien and it's effect on the horse's kidneys.

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Just got a new puppy (after not having one for 16 years) so I totally understand the never ending chewing!

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Just make sure to have LOTS of acceptable chew toys and bones available...Lol...that way you will still have some of your hair left by the time she is a year old and through her chewy puppy phase(s)!!!

I was raised with the notion that straight alfalfa would kill horses - so said all the Vets in my area way back then. When we moved from NE FL to NW WA in '82 I had enough hay with me that should have lasted til we got to Whidbey Island - unfortunately we had some truck problems in MO and were on the road too long and ran out of hay in WY. The only hay I could find at the feed stores off the interstate was alfalfa. To my great surprise (and relief) the horses not only didn't die on it but did find with the abrupt change.

We lived in the northern Mojave Desert (NWC China Lake, CA) for 3+ years. After the first 2 weeks of not being able to get decent 'normal' hay I put all on cubes as there was a processor within 20 miles where I could buy it in bulk - cheap. All the horses (20+ y/o 16.2hh TB gelding, 20+ y/o 16.3hh Saddlebred mare, 25+ y/o 14.1hh App mare, 15+ y/o 14.3hh Arab gelding and a 10+ y/o little short shot pony) did great on them. It was so easy to store and feed the amount that I wanted each to get. I wish that there was a processor near here because I would go back to them in a heart beat if I could find them in bulk.

She is 3 years,15 hands,850 lbs.,he is a gelding,6 years,15,950lbs.Yes,their sort of small,but makes a good trail Horse especially in the thickets!I was told to let the cubes soak in water.tried that today,maybe that is best.What a weight difference too!They have never choked on dry cubes.It was funny too,that when I first started the cubes,Rusty went right after them;and Pocahontas had to watch him for a minute to see what this new green thing was.It makes you also want to add something else,especially in the winter months,but again I don't want to overload them on protein.Is there something out there to feed that doesn't have much protein?Like cracked corn or rolled oats or something like that?Or just give only the cubes?

If you are soaking your cubes you could also add some beet pulp pellets. We feed them year round soaked. We soak them for a few hours and then add cubes and strategy at feeding time. I have a friend with an older mare that won't eat the cubes dry so she soaks the beet pulp and cubes together. The beet pulp will add a few calories, fiber and texture.

Alfalfa is NOT grass, it is a legume. It has a completely different make up and can cause serious problems when fed exclusively (including exclusive of fresh grass) to horses. First of all, the protein and vitamin amounts are different. Possibly more important is that the calcium/phosphorous ratio is reversed. If you feed alfalfa you really should feed a properly balanced mineral supplement. The other concern is the lack of long stem fiber in cubes. A horse has a delicate digestive system that is not designed to be empty at any time. Long stem fiber needs to be the bulk of their diet to keep this digestive system functioning properly. Certainly it is possible for horses to survive and even thrive in this diet, just as it is possible for people who smoke to live long and productive lives. I suppose it is a choice everyone needs to make. BTW, in a pinch, there are chopped grass hays available from many popular feed brands. These hays don't quite offer the long stem fiber, but they do offer a better vitamin and mineral balance for the horse, and do have more roughage than cubes.

If you want a more balanced cube, see if you can't find a grass/alfalfa mix cube. typically its an alfalfa/timothy mix cube. They aren't as rich as straight alfalfa, and typically aren't as hard.

Okay, interesting. I'll feed alfalfa cubes to a 30 yr old mare this winter. She has problems chewing up hay and will spit back out huge wads. What do you suggest for roughage? Would the mix cube posted previous work? My choices may be limited...

Chopped or cubed, (and soaked) mixed hay would be great. I have heard soaking helps with seniors, but may horses are both babies, so I have less experience there.

Thanks! If I can't find mixed cubes here, I'll invest in a machette! (and then hide it from my son )