Legumes are plant species commonly used as a forages for horses. They typically have a higher nutrient content than grass forage species. Alfalfa is the most common forage legume; however, clovers, birdsfoot trefoil, and lespedeza can also be fed. Legumes have rhizobia (nodule bacteria) that fix nitrogen from the air into a plant-available form.
For more information, see Hays for Horses and Their Characteristics and Feeding Forages to Horses.
Partners
Originated from the American Youth Horse Council's
Horse Industry Handbook
The umbrella organization providing leadership and resources for the youth horse industry.
1-800-TRY-AYHC
