Alfalfa Cubes Uncovered: Do They Really Help with Weight Gain in Horses?
Maintaining optimal weight in horses is a delicate balance that requires attentive care, a well-structured diet, and high-quality forage. For many horse owners, especially those dealing with hard keepers, senior horses, or animals recovering from illness, weight gain can be a top priority. This is where alfalfa cubes often come into the conversation as a potential solution. But are alfalfa cubes really effective for weight gain? What makes them different from other types of forage? And are they safe and beneficial for all horses?
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What Are Alfalfa Cubes?
Alfalfa cubes are compressed sun-cured alfalfa hay. Typically, they are 1 ¼ inches in diameter and are formed by chopping and compressing alfalfa under high pressure. This process not only makes them convenient to store and transport but also ensures consistency in nutrition and fiber content.
Alfalfa cubes are commonly used as a forage replacement or supplement and can be soaked in water to aid digestion, particularly for older horses or those with dental issues.
Nutritional Profile: Why Alfalfa Cubes Stand Out
Alfalfa is a legume, unlike grasses such as timothy or orchard grass, and it naturally boasts a richer nutritional profile. Here’s why alfalfa cubes are prized in the equine world:
- High Protein Content: Alfalfa cubes typically contain 14% to 18% crude protein, making them an excellent choice for horses that need to gain or maintain muscle mass.
- Energy Density: Alfalfa is higher in calories than most grass hays, with digestible energy levels of around 1.0 Mcal/lb.—perfect for underweight or hard-working horses.
- Calcium Rich: Alfalfa contains significantly more calcium than grass hay, supporting bone health and aiding in muscle contractions and nerve function.
- Fiber for Gut Health: Though energy-dense, alfalfa cubes still provide a valuable source of digestible fiber that helps keep the horse’s digestive system moving properly.
How Alfalfa Cubes Promote Weight Gain
For horses that struggle to gain or maintain weight, the primary goal is increasing caloric intake without overfeeding grain or starchy feeds, which can pose health risks like colic or laminitis. Alfalfa cubes present a safer alternative.
Here’s how they help:
1. Increased Caloric Intake
Because alfalfa cubes are more energy-dense than grass hay, horses can consume more calories without drastically increasing their overall forage volume. This is especially useful for horses with small appetites or those on limited feed time schedules.
2. Muscle Maintenance and Growth
Thanks to their high-quality protein content, alfalfa cubes help support lean muscle development. This is especially beneficial for performance horses, growing horses, and those recovering from illness or injury.
3. Digestibility
Alfalfa is more digestible than most grass hays, meaning horses can extract and utilize more nutrients from every bite. This increases feed efficiency—key for weight gain and overall condition improvement.
4. Palatability
Horses tend to love the taste of alfalfa. For picky eaters, introducing alfalfa cubes can stimulate appetite and encourage better overall intake.
Ideal Candidates for Alfalfa Cubes
Alfalfa cubes can be a powerful feeding tool, but they’re not the right fit for every horse. Below are some ideal candidates:
- Senior Horses: Especially those who have trouble chewing long-stem hay. Soaked alfalfa cubes are soft, easy to chew, and packed with nutrients.
- Hard Keepers: Horses with high metabolisms that struggle to gain weight benefit from the extra calories and protein.
- Performance Horses: Active horses in training or competition need more energy and protein, which alfalfa cubes readily provide.
- Broodmares and Growing Foals: The nutritional demands of growth, gestation, and lactation make alfalfa cubes a valuable addition to their diet.
Feeding Tips: How to Safely Introduce Alfalfa Cubes
While alfalfa cubes can be incredibly beneficial, proper feeding practices are key. Here are some tips:
1. Start Slowly
Introduce alfalfa cubes gradually to allow your horse’s digestive system to adjust. Begin with a small portion mixed into their regular hay or feed and increase the amount over a week or two.
2. Soak When Necessary
To prevent choke, especially in older horses or those that eat quickly, soak alfalfa cubes in water for 15–30 minutes before feeding. This also ensures hydration and ease of chewing.
3. Balance the Diet
Because alfalfa is high in calcium and protein, it’s important to balance it with other feed components. Overfeeding can lead to mineral imbalances or excessive energy intake. Consulting a veterinarian or equine nutritionist is always a smart move.
4. Storage and Freshness
Store alfalfa cubes in a cool, dry area to maintain freshness. Avoid cubes that are dusty, moldy, or have a sour smell.
Addressing Common Concerns About Alfalfa Cubes
Some horse owners are hesitant to use alfalfa cubes due to concerns about overfeeding or health issues. Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions:
“Alfalfa makes horses hot.”
While some owners believe alfalfa causes hyperactivity, this myth has been largely debunked. Increased energy levels are usually due to excessive calorie intake rather than the alfalfa itself. When balanced correctly, alfalfa is unlikely to make a horse “hot.”
“Too much protein is bad for kidneys.”
While excessive protein in the diet does increase urine output (due to nitrogen excretion), there is no evidence that high-protein diets harm healthy equine kidneys. For horses with existing kidney issues, consultation with a vet is essential before introducing alfalfa cubes.
“Alfalfa causes laminitis.”
Alfalfa is lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) than many grass hay options, making it a safer choice than grain or sugary feeds for many laminitic horses. However, its high energy content does mean portion control is vital.
Real-World Applications: Success Stories from the Barn
Many horse owners and trainers have seen dramatic results using alfalfa cubes in their feeding programs. From rescuing underweight horses to fueling high-performance athletes, the versatility of alfalfa cubes speaks for itself.
- Case 1: The Senior Horse
An aging gelding with dental problems struggled to maintain weight on grass hay alone. After switching out grass hay for soaked alfalfa cubes, his body condition improved visibly within weeks, and he showed renewed energy and vitality.
- Case 2: The Young Hard Keeper
A high-strung Thoroughbred filly in training was burning more calories than she could consume. Supplementing her diet with alfalfa cubes helped her gain and maintain a healthy weight while supporting her demanding athletic schedule.
- Case 3: The Post-Surgery Recovery
A gelding recovering from surgery needed extra nutrition but couldn’t handle large amounts of grain. Alfalfa cubes provided a gentle, fiber-rich calorie boost that helped him recover without digestive upset.
Are Alfalfa Cubes Right for Your Horse?
Alfalfa cubes are more than just a convenient feed option—they’re a nutritional powerhouse that can make a real difference for horses that need help gaining weight or maintaining optimal condition. With a superior protein profile, digestibility, and palatability, they offer a targeted and balanced way to support your horse’s health.
However, like all feeding strategies, success lies in customization. Not every horse will need the high energy content of alfalfa cubes, and overfeeding can lead to complications. Work with your vet or equine nutritionist to build a diet that aligns with your horse’s individual needs.
Choose Greenway Animal Nutrition for Quality You Can Trust
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we recognize that high-quality feed is essential for maintaining healthy, well-nourished horses. That’s why we offer premium forage products—including alfalfa cubes—designed to meet the specific needs of horse owners, breeders, and trainers across all disciplines.
Whether you’re caring for a high-performance racehorse, a trusted riding companion, or a growing herd on your farm, our diverse selection of forage pellets, cubes, and meal provides a consistent, reliable, and nutritious feeding solution.
Reach out to us today and discover how our alfalfa cubes can help your horses thrive—because better nutrition starts with better forage.