Stable Supplies Archives - Page 3 of 3

Are you considering switching to alfalfa cubes and want to know how they equate to a flake? Maybe you have heard people discussing alfalfa cubes and want to know more? Perhaps you are looking to switch your horse's diet up and want some help? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you! We know how challenging it can be to plan your horse's diet and ensure they are well fed. Especially with so many conflicting opinions in person and online, it can be hard to know what's best for your horse. You worry that you are not providing them with the right nutrients and spend hours awake plagued by these thoughts. Well, no more! Today we are here with all the answers you need. Keep reading to find out how many alfalfa cubes equal a flake and everything else you need to know! What Is An Alfalfa Cube? Before we get into it, let’s have a quick recap for those in the room that need it. An alfalfa cube is a nutritional feed option for horses, and these will not only keep your horse full but can work to treat several health issues too! Compared to hay flakes, Alfalfa cubes are handy and far easier to measure and store! Hay flakes are usually thin and easy to separate in the rectangular portion of a horse bale. Now that we have covered what an alfalfa cube is (and remind you what a flake is) let’s move on and see how many cubes equals a flake. How Many Alfalfa Cubes Equal A Flake? Let’s get into it! How many alfalfa cubes equal a flake depends on the weight of the cubes. Generally, these cubes weigh 5lb, making one alfalfa cube equal to the 5lb flake (the weight of a usual flake). It's worth noting that this answer is rather general, based on the average weights of alfalfa cubes and hay flakes. You would need to weigh both the cube and the flake at feeding time for an accurate number; if you have the time, great! If not, you can use our general numbers, which show that one cube is equal to one flake based on these general weights. Now, let's explore this issue further and see what we need to consider when looking at the weight of flakes and cubes. Flakes Can Weigh More (Or Less) As we said earlier, hay flakes generally weigh 5lbs. Most flakes you encounter will weigh 5lbs, but this is not always the case. The content in the hay flake can vary the weight, with Bremudagrass flakes weighing between 4-5lbs and alfalfa flakes, although thinner, weighing up to 6lbs! Be sure to check the content of the flakes before purchasing to help give you a better understanding of their weights. Avoid Feeding Horses By Volume If you switch your horse from flakes to cubes, we avoid using volume to determine how much you need. Instead, feed your horse by pounds. So if you switch your horse from 10lb of hay flakes a day, don’t just use two alfalfa cubes. Instead, replace it with 10lb of alfalfa cubes. While that could well be two cubes, it's better to calculate it in weight rather than to accidentally over or underfeed your horse! Why Not To Feed Horses By Volume Like we mentioned earlier, you don’t want to over or underfeed or supplement your horse. Over or under supplementation are a common issue and one that results in a trip to the vet! It's best to avoid this where possible and feed your horse by weight and ensure they can maintain the right energy levels. Feed your horse by pounds instead to ensure their daily food requirements are met. Hay flakes might seem larger than alfalfa cubes, but they weigh more or less the same. So don’t get fooled by the size of a flake compared to a cube! Stick to weighing your horses' food to ensure they are getting what they need. The last thing you want is to cause harm to their digestive system! How Many Alfalfa Cubes Should Your Horse Have If You Eliminate Hay Flakes From Their Food? Typically, horses eat between 1.5% to 2% of their body weight, so you will want that weight to be replicated in alfalfa cubes! Once you know your horse's weight, you can determine the percentage of the body weight they should be eating and provide them with enough alfalfa cubes to sustain them. How Do You Feed Alfalfa Cubes And Hay Flakes At The Same Time? Horses are not fans of change, and you cannot just change their diet overnight and expect them to be okay with it. So if you are swapping your horse from hay flakes to alfalfa cubes, it's going to take some time. You will often need to introduce the alfalfa cubes gradually, allowing your horse time to get used to the new food. To do this, start with working out what 1.5% to 2% of your horse’s body weight is. Once you have this, you can work out how you will divide this between hay flakes and alfalfa cubes and how much they should weigh. You might want to split it 50/50, although we recommend starting with a ratio like 80/20, introducing more cubes as your horse gets used to the change. Remember, each horse is different; some might take the change well, while others might struggle and take a little longer. Be sure to be patient and not be disheartened if your horse doesn’t take to the cubes! What About Soaked Alfalfa Cubes? To reduce the chances of choking, many people opt to soak the cubes before feeding them. We recommend providing you with peace of mind and ensuring that your horse is safe while eating. Weigh the alfalfa cubes while dry to ensure they are the correct weight before soaking them and feeding them to your horse. Frequently Asked Questions Before you leave, get your last-minute questions answered here! How Many Alfalfa Cubes Do You Need To Feed A Horse? The number of cubes needed will depend on whether your horse is on a regular diet or only fed Alfalfa cubes. If you are only feeding them alfalfa cubes, then these should weigh no more than 1.5% to 2% of their body weight. The set number of how many cubes this will be will vary depending on the weight of your horse and the weight of the cubes. If you add grains or hay to their diet, add 1.5% to 2% of their total body weight to include the rest of their diet. If you have any concerns or questions about this, be sure to speak to a vet who can provide you with more advice about feeding your horse. Can Alfalfa Cubes Replace Hay? While hay is a staple in many horses' diets, you can replace it with alfalfa cubes if you wish. These cubes contain the same nutrients and energy as hay, so they should not cause any issues to your horses; just remember that you might need to ease them into eating the cubes! Remember, you don’t need to switch your horse to alfalfa cubes if you don’t want to. Good quality and mold-free hay is a basic feeding requirement of a horse and works to provide them with the right nutrients and energy. Don’t feel like you need to switch their food if you don’t want to! Final Word And there you have it, roughly one 5lb alfalfa cube is equal to 5lb of hay flakes. Remember that the size of these flakes can be misleading and does not necessarily relate to the weight of the flake! The weight of hay flakes and alfalfa cubes can vary just, and you must weigh the cubes or hay before feeding them to your horse to ensure they are getting the right amount of food and nutrients! Don’t forget to speak to a vet if you need more help planning your horse's diet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odidwPNm2v4