How much alfalfa per feeding for a senior?

[4horses]

How many lbs of alfalfa can you safely give a senior horse per feeding?

My old mare is having a difficult time with her weight due to dental issues. She has teeth but they are worn smooth like sea shells.

She gets 6lbs of alfalfa pellets (dry weight) which are then soaked. I’ve noticed she has been walking off and leaving some, so I’m wondering if it would be safe to give her more without risking a colic? My concern is what if she decides to eat it all at once?

And how far apart between feedings? She is getting 3 meals a day (6pm, 9pm, and 7am).

[Obsidian_Fire]

6 lbs per feeding, so 18# per day? I’d guess as long as her kidneys can handle the protein it’s fine. Have known many oldies existing on such a diet.

However, you say she’s walking off and leaving some. Does she come back to finish? Which feeding is she walking away from? What feed does she have available between 7am and 6 pm?

I would say feed a senior such as Triple Crown Senior, in addition to (or replacing some of) the alfalfa pellets.

[Wyndwolfe]

I would be a bit concerned about feeding 18 pounds of alfalfa pellets as a sole feed source. I like to feed a texturized senior feed (Triple Crown or Pro Elite are good), along with the soaked alfalfa pellets. You may not need to soak the feed, as it will absorb some of the moisture from the soaked alfalfa pellets. I have found with my old guys that they seem to “like” the variety in texture, and eat more consistently.

[JB]

Eating say 8lb of alf pellets all at once, requires “all at once” to be quantified. Is that in 20 minute? (unlikely!), or 2 hours? At that point it’s more about the volume that ends up in her stomach, rather than a weight of food

I also wonder if she’s getting anything else to eat.

[Simkie]

I give my senior pretty much free choice alfalfa hay. She’s a tough keeper, but has never looked better.

It’s more about balancing around the alfalfa, and making sure her bucket doesn’t go rancid with that volume, really.