SHORTAGE ON HAY.... Need INFO on Alfalfa Cubes QUICK! This is for horses!!!?

Question

Hey There. I have 4 horses and no hay. I cant find it anywhere to get some today. But I can use the truck and the trailer to go get some tommarow. But for tonights feeding I didnt have anythings for them, So i stoped at TSC and got a couple bags (50 pound bags each). They told me to soke them in water first, so i understand that I have to do that... But How much water? And after everythings soked, Do i drain the extra water out? And how many cubes should i feed each horse? This is just a one time thing. So I just need to tide them over for a little bit. Also Just wondering... Im planing on feeding them seperate tonight... But they usually are feed all together. Just let me know some info please. You guys have helped me out before. Thanks for anything you can tell me.

Answer 1

Yes, they should be soaked in water.. if you use warm / tepid water, soak them til they feel soft. The excess water won't hurt anything. As a matter of fact it will help add water intake.



If they are not on alfalfa, I would wait til you can get their regular hay tomorrow. If they get grain, just feed regular ration + half. They will be ok.



I know TSC does not carry alfalfa pellets, normally. But if you could find pellets, that would be better than the cubes. Dry cubes can cause choke and colic, so be careful. Cubes are made for cattle!!



Even if this response is late, it will at least give you an idea for a next time you have no hay. Best of luck to you.



There are some great responses in here!!! WTG people!! :-)

Answer 2

For the most part, you should fill a 5 gallon water bucket about half full (maybe a little under) with the cubes and put in water to just barely cover the top of the cubes. Let them sit for a minimum of half an hour, preferably several hours. This will break up the cubes and make it almost like a bran mash consistency that will be easy for your horses to eat without being too watery (don't have to drain any water off).



However, if you have a horse that you know tends to get dehydrated often, if you wanted to, you could fill the bucket about 1/3 (a little bit more under the half amount than before) and fill with water to 2 or 3 inches past the top of the cubes. This will make it so the horse has to

"go dunking" to get his dinner and will ensure he drinks a good amount of water as to not become dehydrated. This works well for most horses, but be warned, your horse may not be happy with you and in some cases, they will refuse to eat it.



However, for most common hay replacement, just try the first suggestion and be sure to keep an eye out for colic as it is a different way/type of eating hay for them and their stomachs may protest.



Good luck!

Answer 3

I worry about feeding them strictly cubes. I feed ALL my horses only cubes BUT, when I first get a horse and switch them over from hay to cubes, I take about 2 WEEKS and slowly introduce more cubes each day until they are eating a full amount. We do that so that they don't colic.



I worry they will colic. But I've never heard of adding water. Maybe that's a way to do it. I would call a local vet and ask them to be sure. It doesn't hurt to ask.



If you go ahead with soaking them method, I feed my quarter horses 1/2 - 2/3 a 5 gallon bucket 2x daily. It really depends on the horse and their size (mine are 15.2hh 1000lbs give or take...). Start with half a 5 gall bucket and fill it up with water. I'm guessing you want them to be soggy.



Honestly, I would borrow a few bales from a friend, or call a horse boarding facility and beg/buy a few off them, find bales somewhere before cubes. Better safe than sorry! But it sounds like you've tried all your resources, so go ahead with soaking them. WARNING: Watch them closely for signs of colic!

Answer 4

If you are able to go get your regular hay tomorrow, then I think I would just skip tonight's hay so you don't make a sudden change in feed. I'd at least give them a lot less than the recommended amount of cubes. Your horses will be fine with one missed meal.

Answer 5

If your horses arnt used to alfalfa cubes then feeding too much they can easily colic. I would be scared to feed harldy any at all. We had one colic from someone feeding it a handful or two and had to run to the vet. My advice on low hay is to get a feed that has forage in it. That will make up for no hay int he future.

Answer 6

PLEASE SOAK until all cubes are soft to the touch and fall apart. This will take several hours. Most horses will be OK with chewing them up but if you have one that eats their food quickly, they may choke on them. I have had one do that and it is not pretty or cheap. Call around and see if anyone sales chopped forage or alfalfa forage. Southern States in NC sales it and it is a great supplement for hay with no quality grass in it or just to get by until more hay is available. It is in 50lb pressurized bales - equal to 5 bales of hay for about $15.

Answer 7

What do your horses normally eat? Please don't tell me you're going from timothy one day to straight alfalfa the next... You need to drive around, find a person who has horses, knock on their door, and offer them some cash for a few bales to hold you over. Seriously. It's cheaper to overpay for someone else's hay than to pay a vet bill when your horses colic.



And no offense, but this is something that really should have been planned in advance. You need to formulate a hay plan BEFORE you run out entirely.

Answer 8

you want the truth turn um out till tomorrow, a massive fast change of feed is not good any change should be done gradual so as its just a quick fix as a one off, don't, they wont starve over night, you no the saying stick to the devil you know not the one you don't. thats my advice you could easily end up wiv some real problems IE colic,