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Many horse owners believe that feeding alfalfa to horses and weanlings helps protect their delicate stomachs from ulceration. The protein and calcium content supposedly buffers the pH of the stomach, helping prevent ulcers, especially in the nonglandular region. According to a study conducted by German nutritionists*, that belief might warrant a closer look.

“Weanlings are known to be at risk for gastric ulcer formation, with anywhere from 32-94% of them reportedly affected,” shared Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., an equine nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

A variety of dietary factors contribute to ulceration of either the squamous or glandular parts of a horse’s stomach, including:

  • Presence of buffering substances in the diet;
  • Amount of starch intake;
  • Type, amount, and frequency of food offered daily; and
  • Particle size of the diet.

Previous research shows that alfalfa chaff contributed to ulceration of the glandular portion of the stomach in weanlings, potentially due to mechanical irritation. The chaff was chopped into lengths of 5-10 mm. Other studies, however, show that feeding alfalfa hay protected the squamous region of the stomach in both foals and adults horses.

Based on the available body of literature, the researchers hypothesized that feeding alfalfa pellets—a fine-particle feed that reportedly contributes to ulcer formation—would negatively impact the integrity of the stomach lining in weanlings, whereas alfalfa chaff would improve the health of the stomach.

To test this theory and improve the industry’s understanding of the role of alfalfa in gastric ulcers, researchers fed weanlings either a diet containing alfalfa chaff, alfalfa pellets (both in combination with free-choice grass hay), a total mixed ration (TMR)  or grass hay only. All diets were balanced with oats, soybean meal, calcium oxide, and a commercial trace element mixture, and all diets had similar amounts of calcium and magnesium. The particle size of the alfalfa chaff was primarily greater than 2 mm, whereas the alfalfa pellets were mostly less than 0.5 mm.

The study authors reported that:

  • About 85% of the 75 Warmblood weanlings included in the study had gastric ulcers prior to weaning;
  • After weaning, almost 100% of weanlings had gastric ulcers; and
  • The ulcers were predominantly located at the greater and lesser curvatures of the stomach, involving the squamous portion.

“Probably the most interesting and surprising part of the study was that alfalfa chaff, thought to protect the stomachs of weanlings, was associated with an increased severity of ulcers noted at the pylorus as was the TMR diet. This is the muscular ring at the bottom of the stomach that joins to the duodenum, the first region of the small intestine,” relayed Crandell.

No other significant differences in feeding type and severity or location of gastric ulcers were noted. The high incidences before and increase in ulcers after weaning was attributed to the drastic change in environment that occurred around weaning time for purposes of the study.

Based on these results, the study authors concluded, “At this time, either traditional grass hay rations or grass hay with alfalfa pellets can be recommend.” However, the study did not include the use of alfalfa hay, which has been shown in other research to reduce severity of gastric ulceration compared to grass hay.

Kentucky Equine Research offers a variety of digestive health supplements for horses of all ages. Many of these supplements are specifically engineered to support gastric health, while others support gastric and hindgut well-being. Ask a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition consultant to recommend the best product for your situation (U.S.: info@ker.com, AUS: advice@ker.com).

*Vondran, S., M. Venner, and I. Vervuert. 2016. Effects of two alfalfa preparations with different particle sizes on the gastric mucosa in weanlings: Alfalfa chaff versus alfalfa pellets. BMC Veterinary Research. 12:110.

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