These are the values used last month for cost comparison. Alfalfa is more suitable for young growing horses. The yearling would gain about 1.0 pounds per day. Alfalfa or a combination of Alfalfa and grass hay also is a good diet for lactating mares. The three horse diet comparisons were formulated to provide equal energy whether Alfalfa or Bermudagrass hay based.
Energy is the primary nutrient provided by hay.
Some adjustments can be made for supplemental protein as we did for the 600 pound, eight month old weanling and the lactating broodmare. The other nutrient levels will vary and the comparisons can be made. In all cases the nutrient requirements are met. It should be 1.6 to 2.0 and this may create problems particulary as it pertains to developmental bone diseases. However, problems in the mature lactating mare are less likely to be encountered.