Does alfalfa hay make a horse hot?

I don't think alfalfa makes a horse 'hot' - but it is full of protein and if a horse is not used to it and fed too much, it can cause problems - can really make them pee yellow and smelly.

Alfalfa is an excellent feed for horses.
However, it must be fed in a balanced ration in order to give the most benefits to your horse. It is extremely high in TDN-total digestible nutrients, thus giving the misconception of causing a horse to become "hot". In actuality you are just over feeding. In which case over feeding of anything will give you more energy input than what is being expelled.
Alfalfa is;
1.25% calcium- .09mg- Cobalt- 13.4mg Copper-.02% Iron-.3% magnesium-31.5mg Manganese-.23% Phosphorous-2.08% Potassium-.15% sodium- .3% sulfur and between 15-23% Protien-30% Fiber
So when placed in combination with other grains, horses do tend to have more energy than what is needed in most curcumstances. But it really isn't the hays fault.

Wow YOU have a lot of information....Thank YOU! We are switching him to Orchard Grass.....

Wasn't trying to make you change feeds. Your horse will hate me for it.

I try to offer information when I have it. Temp was 21* today not as cold as the mid west, but I hate winter so I have a pretty extensive library. I like to know as much technical as physical when it comes to my horses. That way I may have a good shot of getting things right about, oh lets say 1% of the time.

Ha you are so right. Just reading the few things you have written, I could afford to have YOU as my new best friend. Stetson is and has been on a transition of food. So it's all good. Once again....was just trying to find out the true and correct answers..like I have previously said everyone has their opinions. What frustrates me as to figure out who is right and wrong. Does that make sense?

Thank You-Its always nice to be appreciated.

Yhea, that makes sense.
I grew up surrounded by horses, usually the crippled ones that were about 30 yrs old that my father had trimmed maybe once a year and the pony was only ridden, well never. Dad was a farrier until mom made him get a real job. Started in the late 40's, so I really believe in the old time stuff, not all the new and improved models.

Most of what I suggest I already did the trial and error on my own horses first.
Or on those nags that Dad brought home, lets just say it was trial and error on me.

Well good then I hope you don't mind if I come rushing to you for info. Like I said I'm moving Stetson to a new barn with hardly anyone there. My parent's always did everything for me...now I'm on my own...at the ripe age of 42.....never want to quit learning...and Stetson I'm sure like other's has play a major positive move in my life. So what kind of horses do you have?

Ok that didn't sound right....I got married had a family...kids are almost grown and just got back into the sport...which of course is our passion....lol

Good for you.
I, on the other hand-Never grew up and got a real job. Horses have always been my center.

My current barn staus;
Dominic-5 yr old QH gelding[HYPP N/H] 2nd level Dressage
Smoke-7 yr old QH mare-Training level Eventer
Fabulous-13 yr old gelding New Zealand stock horse-Preliminary Eventer
Freckles-4 yr old mare QH-unbroke[well started really wrong-restart]
Sparkles-aged 20+ mare Welsh [Cushings] Best pony ever
Daydream-aged 20+ mare Welsh [Cushings,Founder] Rescue, doesn't really have a job
Sport-8 yr old QH gelding- Reiner
Tator- 2 yr old gelding QH[? Checking DNA for Mustang] unbroke
Louis-13 yr old Quarab gelding-lesson horse
Ellie-27 yr old Arabian mare- lesson horse

Hello! No I don't believe it makes a horse "hot" temperature wise. Some horses not accustomed to it can at first seem more full of energy. I think alot of people have different opinions on feeding Alfalfa strait.
I do not have a problem feeding pure Alfalfa ONLY if my horses have been slowly adjusted to it if they had not in the past, been fed it strait. The Weiscamp horses of Texas had been fed it for well over 50 years and were said to have done the best when they were on pure Alfalfa. Good immune systems, sleek healthy coats, no runny noses or eyes, no coughing, no runny poo or sickness. You would probably get this if immediately switched from a grass hay to pure Alfalfa however. The horse's digestive system tends to be extremely fragile.

Thank you!

I have always heard that pure alfalfa, after being fed for a long time can cause issues?