Equi-Club Alfalfa Forages – an official introduction!
What is Alfalfa (Lucerne)?
Alfalfa and Lucerne are two names for the same plant: Medico sativa. This plant is one of the world’s most important and oldest forage crops and is now enjoying a revival in popularity. Alfalfa is a legume, which means that it fixes its own nitrogen. If you live in certain areas of the country you will see it growing in the field. At maturity it stands about 70cm high, has compound leaves and clusters of very pretty small purple flowers. Several cuts can be taken from the crop a year.
Since Alfalfa is a rich source of highly digestible fibre it is suitable for most horses and ponies. It is an excellent source of bio-available calcium and numerous micronutrients and vitamins such as zinc, biotin and vitamin A, all are vital for general good health, good hoof growth and are essential during pregnancy and lactation. The dried product, in its pure form will provide approximately 10MJ/kg of energy and something like 16% protein.
Harvesting of Alfalfa has changed in the last ten years. The plant is cut and left to wilt on the field for a day or so, depending on the weather conditions. It is then picked up and chopped with a forage harvester before being ‘flash’ dried through the high temperature dryer. The dryer resembles a huge tumble drier, about the size of a bus with hot air taking the plant temperature up to about 600°C. This reduces the moisture levels, retains the nutrient values and ‘kills’ any bacteria or moulds. The chopped, dried Alfalfa is then stored ready for use later in the season.
The Alfalfa used in the making of the Equi-Club range is all grown in East Anglia and dried in our modern fuel-efficient specialist dryers. Because of its ‘stalky’ nature, unless really good hay making weather is experienced over a week it will not make into clean, quality ‘hay’ in our climate. Our horses and ponies can enjoy all the benefits of British grown Alfalfa, high fibre, quality protein and a high vitamin and mineral specification without any risk from mould and dust or deterioration of nutrient content when high temperature alfalfa is used.
What are the benefits of a high fibre quality forage diet to your horse or pony?
Equi-Club Alfalfa
Protein 15% Oil 4% Fibre 30% Ash 10%
A high fibre, medium protein and energy level forage ration, to provide stamina and sparkle for work without the heating properties of a cereal based ration. High fibre rations move slowly through the gut, providing very steady absorption of all nutrients, again avoiding the carbohydrate ‘rush’ associated with starch based rations. Alfalfa has been shown to be valuable in the feeding of those prone to laminitis, as the sugar and carbohydrate levels naturally occurring within the plant are lower than those found in cereals or grasses. Made from Alfalfa, Cane Molasses and Soya Oil – nothing else!
Equi-Club Alfalfa Lite
Protein 8% Oil 4% Fibre 35% Ash 6% DE 8.5MJ/kg
High fibre with a lower level of protein and energy than Equi-Club Alfalfa, but still made using premium grade ingredients. Suitable for all horses and ponies, and can even be used as a hay replacer, as it has a similar feed value to hay but without the associated damaging mould spores. Because Alfalfa Lite is low in starch and sugar, it is valuable when used to assist in the management of those who have or are suffering from Laminitis.
Made from Alfalfa mixed with the finest dust extracted oat straw and dried fresh mint, dressed with Soya Oil. The mint will aid digestion.
And finally, Low Sugar Equi-Club Molassed Chaff
Protein 6.5% Oil 0.6% Ash 12% Fibre 26%
A premium grade, light and open textured molassed chaff, made from dust extracted straw and cane molasses with the added benefit of limestone. Use to slow the rate of passage of hard feeds through the gut to enable the horse or pony to derive the maximum available nutrition from the rest of his ration, or use on its own to improve the fibre level of the diet. Although this ration does not contain any Alfalfa, it is made at the same plant, using the same machinery and some of the same materials as the Equi Club Alfalfa Forages. This means that premium grade dust extracted straw is used.