Whether feeding alfalfa hay is better than feeding bermudagrass hay depends on the age and class of horse being fed. Alfalfa is much higher in protein and higher in energy than bermudagrass hay. When feeding weanlings, protein requirements are more easily met when feeding alfalfa. Alfalfa, however, has a very high calcium content and lower phosphorus content. You must be very careful in providing the correct levels and ratios of calcium and phosphorus in the total diet. No or improper supplementation may lead to metabolic bone disorders in the young growing horse. So, alfalfa does have a place in growing horses’ diets. For the mature horse, alfalfa as the sole source of roughage will work. However, because of its protein content, alfalfa will provide 1.5 to 2.0 times more protein than the mature horse needs. This is a waste of nitrogen as the horse will consume more water and urinate more frequently to eliminate the excess nitrogen. More urine in the stall means more bedding required. But more importantly, more urine means more ammonia in the air. Levels of ammonia may become high enough to cause irritation and/or damage to the lungs of the horse making him more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. Alfalfa hay can be an excellent source of roughage for horses, but you cannot feed it the same way or with the same concentrate as a bermudagrass hay. Also, you should pay for alfalfa hay based on its nutrient content. Alfalfa hay is often overpriced.

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