Lucerne (Alfalfa) something to seriously consider

More recently there has been information to suggest that a fermented type of hay in particular lucerne commonly known as alfalfa may improve gastric ulcers in horses. Although fermented hay may not be the ideal as the horse is a hindgut fermenter, meaning that the large intestine is the site of fermentation of ingested fibre. However, it is because of this information being available several horse owners have been increasing the use of this type of fibre.

It is interesting to note that supporting a healthy digestive tract and gut microbiome from the stomach to the large intestine is common knowledge. It makes sense considering that horses are herbivores, that a high, good quality roughage diet is essential for longevity of health.

There is no doubt that the right type of diet containing a high level of roughage can counteract changes in gastric pH (stomach acid). This means that a high roughage diet can help to prevent gastric ulcers in horses. The correct terminology for resisting changes in pH is called buffering. Alfalfa or lucerne hay has been shown to reduce the severity of ulcers as it provides a superior buffering action compared to other types of fibre.

We also know that gastric ulcers are very common in performance horses and that in some cases, over 90% of racehorses and up to 70% of performance horses can be affected by gastric ulcers. We also know that there is an increase in ulcers relating to workload, which very often equates to a reduction in roughage being fed daily.

In many cases, performance horses have little or no access to pasture, which creates a very unhealthy situation for the gut microbiome. There is no doubt that this situation has been created by modern-day feeding, which in most cases does not provide the right form of roughage for the horse.

Performance horses very often are fed a diet that contains a high level of grain this also increases the intake of starch. Studies have indicated that ulcers are much less common in horses that are out on pasture and not in full work.

Generally speaking, ulcers tend to occur in the upper part of the horse's stomach, which is comprised of non-glandular squamous epithelium. When this tissue is exposed for a lengthy period to gastric acid, ulcers tend to develop.

The upper half of the horse’s stomach has a bicarbonate-rich mucus layer so it differs from the glandular portion of the stomach. Saliva production and the buffering action of feed is the only protection this part of the stomach has from gastric acid.

It is quite common for horses to have no clinical signs of ulcers, but there are indicators, these include poor performance, poor appetite, temperament changes, diarrhoea, mild colic and often weight loss. The horses coat condition will often look quite poor.

Just like the human health industry there are medications to assist with ulcers in horses, but these only have a band aid effect, they are not ideal for long-term use. It is always better to prevent a disease from occurring rather than waiting and having to deal with it at a later stage. There are many excellent preventative supplements on the market that act as a buffer for stomach acid and support the gut microbiome. The most effective and clinically proven supplements are those that contain pro-and pre-biotics and some strains of yeasts. The BioEquus is an excellent product for this purpose.

But the most important approach is always nutrition and ensuring that the horse has adequate fibre daily to support a healthy digestive system and gut microbiome.

Horses are strict herbivores and their digestive tracts have been designed for a high roughage diet. Horses that are stabled 24/ 7 and do not have access to enough roughage throughout the day will lead to an increase in gastric acid production which also reduces saliva production.

Stomach acid is secreted by horses on a continual basis even if they are not being fed. The measurements of pH of gastric fluid in horses who have had feed withheld for several hours has consistently been measured to be 2.0 or lower which is highly acidic, in comparison to horses that have access to hay for a 24-hour period which will be less acidic. This makes complete sense as we know that a high roughage diet will stimulate saliva production which acts as a natural buffer.

Horses being fed good quality Lucerne and fresh grass will produced twice as much saliva in comparison to those who are being fed a grain-based feed.

Studies have indicated that feeding lucerne (alfalfa) hay even with some grain can actually increase the pH of gastric fluid and will have an impact on the reduction of ulcers. It appears that saliva production is increased significantly whilst being fed alfalfa even in comparison to grass hays or other types of hay. The alfalfa appears to have a significant buffering action. Performance horses may well benefit from feeds like Hi Form Complete feeds in conjunction with a good balance of roughage in the diet. It would make sense that this type of feed will improve the horse’s saliva production and buffering action. We know that most grains inherently do not contain a high roughage level so it is important with performance horses to ensure that they are receiving an excellent level of roughage in conjunction with grain being fed. This should support a healthy gut microbiome. The other feed I love is the Hi Form Complete AlphaFibre which is 98% Lucerne (Alfalfa), this feed will definitely assist ulcer prone horses long term.

A 2007 study at Texas A&M University on 24 Quarter horse yearlings suggests that the differences seen in the Tennessee study were related to the type of hay fed. In the peer-reviewed study conducted by Texas researchers, the incidence of ulceration was compared in horses fed a pelleted grain concentrate along with either grass hay or lucerne hay. Results of the study showed that relative to feeding grass hay, feeding lucerne hay reduced ulcer severity scores in horses with gastric ulceration and prevented ulcer development in 92% of the horses fed lucerne hay that did not have ulcers, whereas only 25% of the horses without evidence of ulceration fed grass hay did not appear to develop ulcerations. When horses with ulcers were put onto lucerne hay for four weeks, the ulcers healed naturally. The information on this study is readily available.

I’ve always been a great fan of Lucerne (alfalfa) as it provides an excellent buffering capacity in comparison to other types of hay. Lucerne contains high levels of protein and calcium which also buffer gastric acid. Lignin is also found in lucerne and this provides a much higher buffering action compared to other types of forage.

Studies have also shown that the buffering action is much lower in energy feeds such as grains in comparison to high protein feeds such as alfalfa.

The prevention of gastric ulcers in horses is directly related to the buffering action of the type of feed or roughage being fed, we know that if our horses are being fed a high roughage diet on a continual basis but there will be a significant reduction the occurrence of ulcers in horses. In cases such as laminitis, feeding high levels of alfalfa is not recommended due to its high protein level.

The type of diet that you feed your horse will depend on many factors including workload, breed, age, any medical conditions, and even environmental impacts.

The most important aspect of feeding your horse is roughage, remembering that horses are strict herbivores and the anatomy and physiology has not altered very much in thousands of years. It is very easy to feed a natural high roughage diet and reduce the risk of not just gastric ulcers but other health conditions related to poor nutrition. For further advice please email enq@hiform.com.au or phone us on 1300HIFORM (03) 9775 6422 you can also use the link below to log on to our individualised equine profile. This is a unique software program that is designed to provide you with recommendations to suit your horse precisely as an individual, it provides you with details on the nutrient levels of your current diet and how to make alterations to achieve the best possible outcome.