SS Equine Services

11/02/2025

The Downsides of Alfalfa

Feeding 100% alfalfa as a forage program presents several issues that can be problematic for some horses.

Issue 1: Excess protein intake. When a horse consumes significantly more protein than required the extra protein must be excreted via the urine. Along with the protein being excreted, water and electrolytes are also excreted. This can result in poor stamina, predisposition to dehydration, and reduced heat tolerance (especially in hot and humid conditions).

Issue 2: Alfalfa may also have negative implications in horses that suffer from Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (commonly termed “bleeders”). Here’s why—if the diet contributes more protein than the horse requires, the excess is broken down into urea and excreted in the urine (this is evident by the ammonia smell). Ammonia fumes inhaled repeatedly over time can cause irritation in the airway which may cause the horse to bleed when exercised at high intensity. **Note: the root cause is excess protein in the diet, not alfalfa itself. Excess protein can also come from unnecessary amounts of grain and supplements.

Issue 3: A 100% alfalfa diet alters intestinal pH in a manner that can predispose the horse to enteroliths.

Issue 4: Excess calories. While typically low in sugar, alfalfa can be calorie dense, and if fed at high rates or to easy keepers, can oversupply calories. Obesity is an epidemic, and can lead to a long list of health issues.

My general recommendation for alfalfa intake for most performance horses (this includes breeding and growing)- ~50% or less of total daily forage. (Total forage includes grass). Generally 0% for maintenance horses.

I am not saying alfalfa is bad. It’s an excellent component of a proper, balanced diet. I am also not saying that horses shouldn’t eat alfalfa, rather it’s not the best option (and definitely not necessary) for every horse because of the reasons mentioned above.

12/01/2025

BEMER Horse-set offers more than just better circulation. With BEMER Horse-set by your side, you can be reassured that your horse is getting the best care. 🐴💙

11/12/2024

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is an essential mineral for horses and plays a crucial role in various physiological functions. It is involved in muscle function, nerve transmission, enzyme activation, bone formation, and energy metabolism.

Providing a balanced diet is essential for meeting a horse’s magnesium requirements. Good-quality forage, a balanced commercial feed fed at minimum feeding rate or ration balancer, and access to clean water are critical factors in maintaining proper magnesium levels in horses.

While toxicity in magnesium specifically is rare, what most don’t realize is that calcium and magnesium should ideally be kept around a 3:1 ratio, which is generally met in a properly balanced diet. If supplementing extra magnesium on an already fortified and properly balanced diet, dietary calcium levels should be evaluated. This is because excess magnesium can decrease calcium uptake. Calcium is required for strong bones and other physiological processes! So, while we may not see any issues with our horse in the present, excess supplementation over time could potentially present other issues long-term with respect to other vital nutrients.

10/10/2024

Will have my bemer with me in Stoughton
$25 session
Friday - Saturday
3063397650

04/08/2024

Tuesday Tip of the Day.

Tarps, Pallets and Plywood.

Both our hay and our grain are stored appropriately, but with so many animals (75+), it’s important to have meals on hand, prepared and ready to grab when time runs short. Our “hay bay” always has alfalfa, 1st and 2nd cut hay, balancer tubs, chaff, hay bags and color coded grain ready to load up quickly each morning and evening as we head out to feed.

But they don’t just sit on pallets. They sit on plywood on top of pallets, on top of tarps. Why? Because it keeps the bales and buckets off the ground, allows airflow underneath the hay and grain and ensures hay particles don’t get trapped in the pallets where it can mold. You wouldn’t believe how fast food can get ruined.

Yes, this food is constantly rotated, covered so nothing gets into it including our mess from stuffing hay bags and never sits here for long, but every effort matters and keeping it off the ground makes a big difference.

We hope this helps someone who is looking for ways to stay ahead of the game. Happy Tuesday.

03/08/2024

*Edited post*
Unlike muscles and bones, a horse’s lungs don’t improve with exercise.

Did you know that horses’ lungs don’t train? 🐴 Unlike bones, heart, and skeletal muscles, the lungs don't adapt to exercise. The amount of air moved in and out by an unfit horse is the same as when that horse is fit.

So why does training improve exercise capacity? Because the heart, skeletal muscles and other body systems that utilize the oxygen that’s delivered by the lungs do train and become more efficient at utilizing the oxygen that the lungs are delivering.

To read more facts about the equine respiratory system, visit ➡️ https://flairstrips.com/blog/10-equine-respiratory-system-facts/

13/07/2024

I’ll be in Souris Mb tonight and tomorrow
Any one wanting bemer sessions
$25
3063397650

25/06/2024

Attention KCRA Strasbourg
Only plan the one day Sunday only enter, Saturday was suppose to go somewhere else decided not go there after everything that’s going on

So I’ll come Friday for the barrel jp if I get enough interest all day Saturday for bemer sessions. Special for this will be $15 per session if I get 10 or more horses for this or it will be $25
306-339-7650 book

25/06/2024

I’ll have my horse bemer with me in
Carnduff June 25
Arcola June 26
3063397650 for more info

12/06/2024

14/04/2024

If anyone that won a bemer treatment from last year they are valid until August 1st 2024

27/03/2024

Bemer treatments are available
If I get enough in the area will travel