Nutrient Composition and Feed Hygiene of Alfalfa, Comparison of Feed Intake and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Horses Fed Alfalfa Haylage, Alfalfa Hay or Meadow Hay.
Authors: Köninger Marlene, von Velsen-Zerweck Astrid, Eiberger Carolin, Löffler Christof, Töpper Anja, Visscher Christian, Reckels Bernd, Vervuert Ingrid
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary German researchers conducted a controlled feeding trial with 11 geldings to assess whether alfalfa haylage (AS) could serve as a viable alternative to traditional alfalfa hay (AH) or meadow hay (MH), evaluating nutrient content, feed hygiene, and metabolic responses over a 21-day Latin square design study. Alfalfa haylage delivered crude protein levels (139 g/kg DM) comparable to alfalfa hay but substantially higher than meadow hay, alongside significantly elevated calcium (11.3 g/kg DM)—though kidney and liver function markers remained within normal reference ranges across all three forage types. Faecal pH and short-chain fatty acid profiles showed no significant differences between groups, despite several feed samples from all three types harbouring microbial counts exceeding product-typical and spoilage indicator thresholds, suggesting feed storage and handling warrant attention regardless of forage type. Fractional calcium excretion varied considerably within each group (AS: 8.13–22.0%; AH: 6.48–24.8%; MH: 6.69–53.2%), indicating individual metabolic variation that practitioners should monitor when transitioning horses between forage sources. For equine nutritionists and vets, alfalfa haylage represents a nutritionally robust option with comparable metabolic safety to conventional haying methods, though rigorous quality control during ensiling and storage remains essential to manage microbial contamination risks.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Alfalfa haylage is nutritionally equivalent to alfalfa hay and can serve as a practical alternative forage source for horses requiring higher protein and calcium intake
- •Microbial contamination was detected across all forage types sampled, emphasizing the importance of visual inspection and proper storage conditions to minimize spoilage risk
- •Horses tolerate alfalfa haylage as well as traditional hay without adverse effects on blood chemistry or digestive parameters, making it suitable for standard equine rations
Key Findings
- •Alfalfa haylage crude protein content (139 g/kg DM) was similar to alfalfa hay (127-135 g/kg DM) but substantially higher than meadow hay (79.1-87.7 g/kg DM)
- •Calcium levels in alfalfa haylage (11.3 g/kg DM) were significantly higher than meadow hay (4.00-4.95 g/kg DM) but comparable to alfalfa hay (9.80-10.4 g/kg DM)
- •All blood parameters remained within reference ranges across all three forage types with no significant differences in faecal pH or short-chain fatty acid content
- •Microbial reference ranges were exceeded in several feed samples of all three forage types for product-typical and spoilage-indicating bacteria and fungi