Because of how they’re processed and stored, cubes typically have less dust and lower propensity to mold. Transporting cubes is much easier than loading flakes of hay as well. As much as 20% of conventional baled hay may be wasted when fed1, while cubes have little waste.

Are hay cubes good for horses?

Alfalfa cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. Because of the high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins, alfalfa cubes are very effective in feeding programs for broodmares and young growing horses.

Do hay cubes need to be soaked?

Hay cubes can be fed wet or dry. When first introduced it may be advisable to wet the cubes as the horse will have easier time biting off small chunks to chew at one time. As a horse becomes accustomed to eating them, they can typically be fed dry. With that said, wetting the cubes should not be discounted completely.

What are hay cubes made of?

Hay cubes are actually made of hay that’s been cut into small pieces then compressed. Anything added, such as molasses or oil, will appear on the label.

Can you feed hay cubes instead of hay?

Forage cubes can be fed just like hay, at a 1:1 ratio of the like hay type the horse currently consumes. For example, you would replace five pounds of alfalfa hay with five pounds of alfalfa cubes and adjust the amount if needed to maintain the animal’s proper weight.

How do you feed a horse cubes?

So if you’re feeding nothing but alfalfa cubes, you should feed 1.5 to 2 percent of the horse’s body weight per day. If you’re giving it in addition to hay and/or grain, the total of everything should add up to 1.5 to 2 percent of the horse’s body weight.

How many hay cubes should I feed my horse?

Cubes made from a mixture of alfalfa and whole corn plants may also be available. We have used hay cubes as the sole source of fiber in several research studies at Rutgers with good results, feeding up to 12 to 15 lbs of cubes per horse per day.

Can horses eat hay cubes dry?

Hay cubes do provide some longer stems and are pretty consistent in nutritional value. Hay cubes can be fed dry, but only to horses with good teeth who don’t have a habit of eating too fast.

How long should you soak hay cubes?

Soaked alfalfa cubes are easier to eat, and they contain more nutrients than grass hay. Before feeding an older horse, soak the cubes for 10 to 30 minutes, or until they’re soft and soupy. If necessary, experiment with soaking methods and keep an eye on your horse’s feeding habits to find its preferred consistency.

What is the binding agent in hay cubes?

Standlee uses bentonite as a binding agent in their cubed products as listed in the ingredients.

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Will alfalfa cubes help a horse gain weight?

Alfalfa is higher in calories and protein than grass hays, which makes it an excellent choice to help to add weight to a thin horse. If your horse tends to be wasteful with his hay, he may eat more when offered alfalfa hay cubes or pellets.

Are grass nuts good for horses?

Provide an excellent source of fibre, to help support good digestive health. Support and nurture a healthy hindgut microbial community, which is key to equine health. Naturally occurring sugars in grass nuts mean they are naturally sweet. This makes them highly palatable – great for fussy feeders.

Can alfalfa cubes cause colic?

Alfalfa cubes and pellets can cause colic. And pellets are concentrated in alfalfa hay, increasing the risk of colic. A horse will likely eat all the alfalfa cubes they have available, but when fed alfalfa hay, they are picky and often waste some. … Overeating alfalfa leads to obesity and colic.

How much water do I add to hay cubes?

Generally, at least 20-30 minutes are needed with equal parts water to soften the cubes. Depending on the cause of the colic and the current diet, there may be other nutritional changes to consider to reduce the risk of colic in the future.

What can replace hay for horses?

• Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
• Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement. …
• Hay pellets. …
• “Complete” feed. …
• Beet pulp. …
• Soybean hulls.

How much hay is in hay cubes?

Feeding Cubes When replacing long-stem baled hay with forage cubes, you would replace one pound of hay with one pound of forage cubes.

What is the difference between alfalfa and hay?

One of the biggest differences between alfalfa hay and grass hay is the protein content. On average, alfalfa hay has much higher levels of protein, ranging from 15% to 21% depending on when the alfalfa was cut. This is much higher than the protein levels of grass hay, which typically contains 10% or less protein.

What to feed horses when there is no grass?

Alternative fiber sources are available (soybean hulls, beet pulp, rice hulls, corn cobs, chaff and straw). In general, the best approach is to provide roughage that accommodates a horse’s need to be a “trickle feeder,” eating small meals frequently.

Do alfalfa cubes make horses hot?

Alfalfa can make a horse hot if improperly fed. Alfalfa is high in protein and digestible energy (the net amount of energy an animal gets from its food), so you should feed it to horses that need the extra energy.

Is it better to feed horses on the ground?

Why feeding hay and grain from ground level is in your horse’s best interest. You can reduce your horse’s risk of choke, colic and respiratory disorders and increase the amount of nutrients he gets from his ration by doing nothing more than eliminating chest- or head-high feed tubs and hay racks.

What do alfalfa pellets do for horses?

“The biggest benefit of alfalfa for horses is that it tends to be more nutrient-dense than most grasses when harvested at the same stage of maturity,” says Martinson. It typically contains more digestible energy, more crude protein and calcium, and fewer nonstructural carbohydrates (sugars and starches).

Can you soak hay pellets overnight?

I have found alfalfa pellets need to be soaked in between five and six hours to fully break down. In the winter months, I soak them overnight so they are ready to be fed the next day. However, this is not possible during the warmer months in Arizona due to pellets getting hot and molding while being soaked.

Are pellets better than hay?

​Pellets, cubes and chopped hay can be consumed considerably faster per pound than grass hay. They are also better prepared for digestion and assimilation of calories.

How cattle cubes are made?

The hay is fed through the cuber A machine called the cuber forms the hay into cubes, which are then cooled and dehydrated still more. … Because of the way hay cubes are made and their low moisture content after processing, they make an excellent feed to store so that you always have some on hand.

Is timothy pellets good for horses?

Great source of copper and zinc. Timothy contains a good balance of protein and energy. Timothy can be fed to all classes of horses at any stage of life. No bentonite or binder of any kind makes this an all-natural pellet.

Can a horse have too much alfalfa?

Horses provided too much alfalfa often will eat more than they need nutritionally to satisfy their need to fill their gut, which can result in obesity. Switching abruptly from a mature-grass hay to an alfalfa hay diet can, however, cause colic in horses if they aren’t given time to adjust.

How do you know if your horse is underweight?

An underweight horse will have an accentuated neck and withers that are more pointed than rounded. Their tailhead will stick out, and you might be able to see individual vertebrae. If you can see your horse’s ribs, that’s as good a sign as any that she’s losing weight.

Is bran mash good for horses?

The bottom line is that a bran mash provided no more often than once a week is a good treat for your horse and may provide some benefit to the animal’s intestinal tract, but daily supplementation should be avoided.

What does pink mash do for horses?

Pink Mash® is cereal and molasses free, extremely low in starch and sugar and can be safely fed to any horse or pony. Pink Mash® can also be fed to partially replace hay or haylage in the diet when needed. Pink Mash® is useful and effective to help maintain and restore hydration.

Do you have to soak grass pellets for horses?

Feeding Instructions for Horses and Ponies: We recommend pellets should be fed soaked until free from lumps (max 24hrs), add 2-3 parts water. Chop can be fed as is, dampened or soaked.

What is Alfa-beet?

Alfa-Beet is a high-fibre feed combining alfalfa and unmolassed sugar beet, two sources of highly digestible fibre. Ideal for promoting weight gain and aiding hydration. Must be soaked before feeding to horses.