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A low-sugar high-fiber feed is also a good idea. It may be worth talking to the vet to see what they recommend.
But good quality forage is naturally low in carbohydrates.
Is alfalfa good for horses with cushings. Alfalfa is safe to feed a Cushings horse. Legume hays such as alfalfa tend to be higher in calories and protein compared to grass hays ie. But good quality forage is naturally low in carbohydrates.
Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay. However if your horse with Cushings is on the heavier side it is best to steer away from alfalfa hay because of the excess protein can be converted into sugar in the liver. Horses and ponies diagnosed with PPIDCushings Disease should be fed a low sugar and starch diet.
As alfalfa is naturally low in both sugar and starch there are a number of feeds in our range that are suitable. Alfalfa is a high protein forage so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles bone cartilage skin hair and blood.
It is also necessary for the production of enzymes hormones and antibodies. Nutritional recommendations for horses with PPID that need to gain weight are more difficult because the need for more calories must be balanced against the adverse effects of worsening insulin resistance. Pasture intake should be controlled to avoid sudden increases in carbohydrate intake that can trigger laminitis.
Increased energy requirements can be met by feeding alfalfa lucerne hay or chaff. So my recommendation would be to stop the coastal and substitute any form of Alfalfa. I know of a Vet who has a laminitic barn and she feeds those horses nothing but alfalfa in different forms depending on the horses teeth.
Most horse come down with laminitis in the fall and spring when the grass has a higher sugar content. You might want to think about restricting his pasture time. Horses and ponies also need to be on a good quality diet of fresh grassy hay with some lucerne alfalfa and depending on the work load some oats and cracked corn.
Pelleted feeds that have been heat processed or steam extruded should be kept to an absolutel minimum as such feeds normally use wheat as the grain to form a binding agent. Wheat and to a lesser extent barley are poisonous to horses. No alfalfa no grains and no treats.
With cushings there is a good inevitability that your horse will founder and repetatively so you want to start feeding him like he has already foundered. No sugars or anything that will be hard for his system to process. There are vitamins that are suggested for cushings cases as well.
It may be worth talking to the vet to see what they recommend. Horses with Cushings normally experience an insensitivity to insulin. As a result you should avoid feeding them traditional grains treats or even pasture.
Instead the nutritional requirement should be met using supplements like minerals and vitamins. A low-sugar high-fiber feed is also a good idea. Horses with Cushings should be regarded as special needs animals.
Triple Crown Low Starch is a 135 NSC pelleted feed that is corn molasses and alfalfa free. This will benefit horses that arent the easiest of keepers and those with varied insulin levels and metabolic issues. The fiber sources and added fat will give your horse energy.
Triple Crown Lite is another pelleted feed with a low NSC level of 93. A Cushings horse also benefits from the effects of medication like pergolide which can reduce the clinical signs and secondary effects of the pituitary malfunction. This medication facilitates the horses best use of a Cushings diet Read more on Cushings Disease.
Scientifically formulated with a blend of fiber sources including beet pulp and top quality hay to help maintain the senior horses body condition and support normal digestive function while providing a diet lower in nonstructural carbohydrates that may be suitable for aging horses. Alfalfa is a good source of nutrients for sport horses but owners might want to avoid offering it when horses are working hard in hot weather. If you havent yet had the horse checked out by a good equine vet please do ASAP.
IF the horse has PPIDaka Cushings or EMSaka insulin resistance one great source of further info support is Dr Kellons Equine Cushings Insulin Resistance Group Dr Bruce Nock is another to look up having done lots of research into it. Battling Cushings through Diet. Kendra Helfter- The year 1994 was a good year for Jeremy and me.
We enjoyed a successful endurance season winning a handful of 50-mile races including a Midwestern Championship 10 Ride. Jeremy also received a best condition award that summer one of his greatest achievements. In horses the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland is affected.
In human and canine Cushings the anterior lobe malfunctions. Dianne McFarlane DVM PhD assistant professor at Oklahoma State University has done pioneering research on PPID. In a recent study McFarlanes team investigated the role of the hypothalamus the portion of the brain connected to the pituitary by.
Equine Cushings Disease or most recently known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction PPID Download this article as a PDF. PPID is a common neurodegenerative endocrine hormonal disease associated with the ageing horse although has been reported in horses as young as 7. In the healthy horse hormones exist in a fine balance and play an important role in maintaining and controlling.
Alfalfa hay generally doesnt have as much sugar and starch as grass hay but some horses prone to laminitis horses with Cushings and Insulin Resistance are sensitive to it so add it to your horses diet slowly especially if she hasnt had alfalfa before.