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Alfalfa Facts
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Our two Alfalfa
products of are superior quality. We insist that they are grown here in
the UK.
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| Badminton
Alfalfa |
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1. It's made from
English-grown Alfalfa which has been grown, harvested, high temperature
dried and processed in East Anglia. After drying it is dust extracted, sprayed
with a very light dressing of low sugar molasses and packed into 15kgs bales.
Other companies import Alfalfa from northern Europe and Scandinavia.
These products tend to be very coarse, contain mature stalk and of poor
colour. |
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2. It contains a higher
percentage of the valuable leaf than most dried Alfalfa on the market. This
leaf contains essential amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals. Nutritious
and easy to digest, Alfalfa provides a significant level of digestible and
indigestible fibre. The leaf contains a higher proportion of digestible
fibre than the fibrous stalk, thus is easier to digest. Badminton Alfalfa
is lightly screened to remove the very smallest leaf particles, the leaf
remaining improves not just the palatability of the product but ensures
that the feed has the optimum nutritional specification possible from Alfalfa
grown in this country. Too much stalk and stalk that is too coarse will
reduce the value of the entire ration.
The leaf is visible in the Badminton Alfalfa. The modern machinery at
our suppliers, which is used to dry and cool the Alfalfa, allows for the
retention of the leaf in a particle size which will enhance the ration both
physically and nutritionally. It is important that any leaf retained is
large enough not to cause any inhalation problems for the horse. All small
particles are removed during screening. |
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3. Alfalfa is low
in starch and sugar, and therefore may be fed to maintain nutrition in horses
and ponies prone to Laminitis. Can be fed instead of cereals, or as away
of reducing the cereal content of the diet. Badminton Alfalfa has a light
low sugar dressing. This blend does not add significantly to the level of
sugar. It does, of course, raise the naturally low sugar level of Alfalfa.
Kilo for kilo Alfalfa contains similar levels of protein and energy to
that of cereals and coarse mixes. However, a kilo of Alfalfa takes significantly
longer to eat than a kilo of cereal. It is much bulkier. |
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4. If the nutritional
specification of hay is low (quality and cleanliness should always be high)
then adding Alfalfa into the diet will help increase the nutrient specification
of the total forage in the diet.
It is difficult for some horse owners to appreciate the difference between
'quality hay' and clean hay with a low nutritional specification. Poor quality
hay usually is of poor physical quality and contains harmful mould spores
and dust, regardless of its nutritional specification. Only clean hay should
be fed to horses and ponies, and if this is of a low nutritional specification
then the addition to the diet of Alfalfa will be valuable. |
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| 5. As well as using
Alfalfa for its nutritional content, it is valuable for its digestible and
indigestible fibre and will enhance the total diet, by slowing the passage
of feed through the gut and carrying water through to the hind gut. |
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6. Alfalfa may be
fed wet or dry, but do not soak as the water-soluble nutrients will be
lost. When fed wet it is very easy for the horse or pony with poor teeth
to cope with. Dry Alfalfa may also be placed in the stable for free access
(working horses only). Those on a restricted diet will benefit from a
limited amount of Alfalfa in their diet.
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| Badminton
Alfalfa Light |
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1. This is a dust
extracted blend of high temperature dried Alfalfa and oat straw with a very
light low sugar dressing. It is a very palatable forage ration, suitable
for feeding as a fibre source on its own or mixed with cereals. It has a
feed value similar to that of a quality English grown hay, but without the
mould spores and dust.
It is packed in 15kg bales. Most competitors' products are packed in
20kg bales. The physical size of these bales makes handling quiet difficult
- the reduced size of the 15kg bale allows for easy handling. |
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2. Badminton Alfalfa
Light is low in soluble carbohydrates including sugar, so is suitable for
those needing a weight reducing or controlling diet, or those who would
benefit from a very high fibre diet. As Alfalfa Light has similar protein
and energy levels to that of good quality hay, but without the dust, it
can safely be fed as a partial or complete hay replacer to those who have
respiratory problems and need a dust free environment. It can also be fed
ad lib in the stable, to keep the horse or pony busy.
Can be left in the stable for free access by the horse or pony. |
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| 3. Alfalfa Light provides
slow release energy, so ideal for horses and ponies in light work. |
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| 4. When fed as the
total diet, a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement should be used
such as Badminton Pro-Vit/min. |
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5. Ideal for feeding
to resting or convalescing horses and ponies.
If the horse or pony can safely be fed quality hay, then Badminton Alfalfa
Light is an excellent alternative. |
