Performance Posture

20/12/2024

Beautiful…she definitely doesn’t own a cat🐱

18/12/2024

A pay raise for congress??? NO NO NO

17/12/2024

Aspartame is now being marketed as “Amiosweet”. Still a killer…

26/03/2024

Here’s what they did to fix my elbow. I’m going to be restricted from using my hand and arm for a while. I’m considering revisiting the teaching days of my career by offering lectures, workshops and personal training consultations.

All of that being said, I would be interested in starting a conversation in the comments. Let me know your interests or what topics may be of interest. I would like to help people improve their skills as a professional and/or design a healthy habit or lifestyle….

What comes to your mind?

19/03/2024

What’s your choice? …

You already know cardio and strength training are great forms of exercise, but is one better than the other? Find out in our detailed guide!

21/12/2023

The Downsides of Alfalfa

I haven’t shared this one in a while and I think it’s a good one to consider…

Feeding 100% alfalfa as a forage program presents several issues that can be problematic for some horses.

Issue 1: Excess protein intake. When a performance horse consumes a lot more protein than required the extra protein must be excreted via the urine. Along with the protein being excreted, water and electrolytes are also excreted. This can result in poor stamina, predisposition to dehydration, and reduced heat tolerance (especially in hot and humid conditions).

Issue 2: Alfalfa may also have negative implications in horses that suffer from Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (commonly termed “bleeders”). Here’s why--if the diet contributes more protein than the horse requires, the excess is broken down into urea and excreted in the urine (this is evident by the ammonia smell). Ammonia fumes inhaled repeatedly over time can cause irritation in the airway which may cause the horse to bleed when exercised at high intensity. **Note: the root cause is excess protein in the diet, not alfalfa itself. Excess protein can also come from unnecessary amounts of grain and supplements.

Issue 3: A 100% alfalfa diet alters intestinal pH in a manner that predisposes the horse to enteroliths.

Issue 4: Excess calories. While typically low in sugar, alfalfa is calorie dense, and if fed at high rates or to easy keepers, can oversupply calories. Obesity is an epidemic, and can lead to a long list of health issues.

My personal and general recommendation for alfalfa intake in performance horses (this include breeding and growing)- around 50% or less of total daily forage. (Total forage includes grass). Generally 0% for maintenance horses.

**EDIT- I am not saying alfalfa is bad. It’s a great component of a proper diet. I am also not saying that horses can't eat alfalfa. I am saying that it's not right (and definitely not necessary) for ALL horses because of the reasons mentioned above.