So far- so far- the cats haven't torn anything off the tree.
To change the subject, do any of you have a horse who is allergic to alfalfa? The last large square bale I bought had a lot of alfalfa in it, and Gussie reacted to it; her back end is pretty messy; not diarrhea but pretty sloppy. When I went to my supplier, I made sure I got straight grass hay this time; it's a little bleached from sitting in the swaths too long, but no alfalfa. I switched to it 2 days ago. When I fed last night, Gussie didn't come up, so I went to see what was up and she was standing with her tail out, looking a little snarky (you gotta know her; she has nostril curl down to a science when she's crabby). I got a couple of my oils (DiGize and Peppermint) and applied them to her tummy and walked her for about 20 minutes. Even lunged her at the trot- she figured I was crazy and was quite offended that she had to work! But at least she seemed more comfortable afterwards, and regained her appetite. She's usually the first one at the feeder, so when she doesn't come up, you know she isn't feeling good.
Fortunately this morning she seems much better. After I wash her up after work today I'll better be able to monitor her.
Forgot to mention, I got Polysporin eyedrops for Chickory- couldn't find the ointment which would have been easier to use- and it did the trick.
15 comments:
I think I'm one of the last of the horse people who love alfalfa. Thank goodness, none of my horses are allergic to it. We put out round bales of grass and supplement with alfalfa all winter. I only get the straight alfalfa because I want to know exactly how much they're getting.
Your tree looks beautiful!! I put poinsettas in mine, too. It adds that extra touch and fills in the holes.
Your tree is so pretty... and it still needs 'tweaking'?
Do you find the LED lights discolour after awhile?
Did anyone else react to the hay? Maybe not as extreme as Gussie, but any reaction... just thinking there could be something in that bale and it wasn't the alfalfa itself.
WOW!!!! that tree is awesome!!! very nice!!! :)
My friend has a gelding that had a huge reaction to alfalfa, poor thing got hives and was sloughing skin off. Hope you got it sorted out . Surprised it gave her a belly ache , but lucky you caught it anyway . Your tree looks lovely
I am with Linda- I feed the same way!
However, I do want to mention that I had mare once who seemed to be reacting to our hay in a similar way. She started out like what you're describing - then she went on to having diarrhea that literally SHOT out in a straight line behind her!! My Vet and I were going nuts trying to figure out WHY and WHAT TO DO about it!! Running every test on her - all I can tell you is that my gut told me it was the hay even though my other horses weren't effected at all. I was in the midst of selling this mare when this all began and I assumed the people wouldn't want her anymore - but they were horsie people and also figured it was my hay, so they took her and guess what? This mare never had the diarrhea again!!
So that's my story - thus I have to say- my advice is- go with your gut instinct about the hay. At least, that's what I learned!
;-)
Good luck!
Love your tree!!
Beautiful tree...:-)
CDN- Gussie has a history of being sensitive to hay with alfalfa in it, none of the other horses had any problem.I normally don't feed alfalfa, and was surprised that the bale had so much in it, usually the hay I get from this supplier has little or none.
It's probably more of a digestion problem with alfafla...especially if they aren't use to it. Terril had a big gelding that he really had to watch. Your tree looks great!
I don't have the hay - horse problem. I get my hay from the same place the reason for so much alfalfa is every now and again they grab a second cut bale...at least that's what happened to us a few times. Your Tree is nice...guess what we have the same color theme this year and right down to the poinsettias and bows....oh I lied there is some white on there too...but close.
Your tree is beautiful! When I lost my first horse, I new something was wrong too, when he didn't go for his grain right away!
Ha! Alfalfa used to be all the rage... all people wanted. My mom said she always new grass was better, but they had to start seeding their hayfield (1970-80's) or no one wanted it.
Your tree is gorgeous... but with the cats, it IS only a matter of time. Right now, are cats have been happy with the new "water" dish. No climbing,, yet.
Oh there are definitely horses that are sensitive to alfalfa. Funder's paint mare has problems with it and I have an entire line of horses that it causes problems for. Took me years to figure it out and I was loath to feed it at all for years after that.
I have learned a lot about it since then and have found that most of the problems occur due to fertilizers. I do not buy cuttings that come from directly after the field has been fertilized. So now when I buy alfalfa, I only buy 2nd cutting and make sure to ask if the field has been fertilized between cuttings. If it has...I don't buy it. It's too rich for my horses. Alfalfa itself is a pretty nutrient rich legume...add in a bunch of fertilizer and you are practically baking the poor horse. It raises their body temp, which leads to feet issues, muscle soreness/stiffness and kills the gut flora.
As good stewards of our horses, we have been raised to believe to provide the best quality feed for them we can get our hands on, but in reality horses do much better on more of a little lesser quality roughage. For most of us, this time of year, it's about keeping roughage in front of them because eating helps keep them warm, but their work level is way down so they don't really need the high nutrients like when they are performing (bred mares being the exception). I would love to get my hands on some of that bleached hay. ;-)
BEC- there is lots of hay in this valley, it's known for hay production. I'm paying $60 for a 4'X4'X 8' square bale, usually over 1200 pounds. If you didn't live so far away I'd say order a B Train truck and bring in a load- split the cost of trucking with a couple of people and it might be worthwhile.
Very pretty tree!
BEAUTIFUL tree!!
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