It's Red clover season now, but the following points apply to all clovers and lucerne/alfalfa...
Neither clovers, nor lucerne are GRASSES so are not suited for horses who evolved as Graminivores (Grass eaters) – a vital point that is overlooked by so many people.
Some horses are OK on a small proportion of these legumes but there is no actual need for either and horses with issues are far better off without them.
Many people think clover is beneficial as part of a diverse diet but
-clover can take over as in the photo
-it is a case where disadvantages can out-weigh advantages.
High Potassium and CP/NPN/Nitrate levels disturb multiple metabolic pathways and contribute to respiratory issues, staggers, EMS, obesity, Laminitis, HS, PSSM symptoms, tight muscles, SIJ, allergies, and many more. Farmers sow clover because it is an efficient ‘Nitrogen fixer’ but for horses whose metabolism is already compromised due to grass related issues, problems appear when even the smallest amount of clover creeps in - be it in the grazing or in the hay.
Understanding this will save you and your horse a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
Clovers including Red, White, Sub-Terranean, Alsike, Crimson, Trefoil are simply not suitable for horses for the following reasons...
PHYTOESTROGENS
Got a super hormonal, moody mare or a grumpy, aggressive gelding? Check your paddock and/or hay for clover!
Clovers contain hormonally active compounds which have oestrogen-like effects on animals, disrupting reproductive cycles.
It is common for many people to not want to own a mare because of hormonal behaviour (kicking, squealing, striking, grumpy around other horses), as were our mares before we removed clover from their diet. For the last 15 years with zero clover in their diet, we are lucky if we even notice when any of them come into season.
PRIMARY PHOTOSENSITISATION
Mud fever and sun burn are actually ‘photosensitisation’. In horses, this is very much due to the ingestion of clovers and also lucerne.
HIGH CRUDE PROTEIN
Around 22% - when 12% is more suitable for horses. Even on maturity clover plants maintain 16%
The problem is the nitrogen component which, in the absence of a rumen, is a stress on the horses’ metabolism to efficiently excrete.
WSC & STARCH
Clovers store sugars as starch contributing to obesity, EMS & laminitis
Legumes are often recommended because they are lower in sugar but this is a negative when you have high crude protein Energy from carbs is needed in order to process the high Crude Protein.
HIGH POTASSIUM
Levels of this are 2-3% where they should be well under 2% for horses. Chronically high potassium is a major cause of mineral imbalances contributing to ‘Grass Affected’ issues affecting so many horses.
VERY LOW SODIUM
Sodium levels are only 0.01- 0.02%. If potassium is 2.2% then this means there is 110-220 x as much potassium as sodium.
GOITROGENS
Interfere with Thyroid function. They affect the iodine uptake by the thyroid gland or inhibit thyroxine hormone synthesis. The most common goitrogen is thiocyanate from white clover.
For all these reasons clovers get in the way of you having a consistently calm, healthy horse. If you run a breeding operation they interfere with many aspects of reproduction at significant economic cost.
It's not a good time of the year now (Summer) but to avoid paddocks as in the picture, early spring is the time get your paddocks sprayed out with a broad leaf spray - then you won't have your fabulous grasses taken over by clover as in the photo.
If you have any environmental concerns over this please read the following link...
At the moment, if your paddocks look like this, make sure your horses are on their dry lot/track if you have one, or section them off to a smaller area and ensure they are getting plenty of plain grass hay no clover.
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