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Alfalfa - A Stabilising Influence Against Laminitis

22nd January 2007

Alfalfa has the potential to counteract the negative effects of acidity in the gut that can lead to laminitis, according to the latest research conducted by Dr Jo-Anne Murray at the Edinburgh's Royal Dick Veterinary School. The study was conducted in association with Dengie which this year was awarded the Laminitis Trust's stamp of approval for our Alfa-A Lite, Hi-Fi Lite and Alfa-Beet products.

Horses fed a high cereal-based diet and those who consume high levels of fructans (sugars) in grass are often susceptible to laminitis precipitated by the high levels of acidity that result from such diets.

Alfalfa has a stronger buffering effect than other forages as Dr Murray explains; "Alfalfa naturally has a high buffering capacity which means it is capable of stabilising acidity. This is due to the presence of high levels of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that are able to buffer acidity by accepting donating protons. As other forages commonly used in horses' diets do not possess such high levels of these nutrients as alfalfa, this buffering capability is specific to alfalfa".

Tests conducted in the laboratory using an in vitro technique (devised by Dr. Murray as part of her PhD) that replicates the horse's digestive system were devised to investigate whether the buffering capabilities of alfalfa could be utilised to counteract such acidity increases.

The results of the study suggest that feeding alfalfa alongside cereals and grass has the potential to counteract the negative effect of increased acidity. This study supports what is already known and documentated about the buffering potential of alfalfa and bears out the importance of feeding a high fibre diet particularly to those horses and ponies susceptible to Laminitis.

For more information on this research or how to cope with a laminitic horse or pony call our Feedline on 0845 345 5115.

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