Question

Can feeding alfalfa hay to a senior horse create kidney problems and excessive urination? The horse gets about two flakes of alfalfa every day.

Answer

Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses. The use of alfalfa and other high-protein feedstuffs, however, is usually contraindicated for those horses, young and old, that have been diagnosed with renal disease because of the added work they place on the kidneys. Though mature horses can use protein for calories, it is the least efficient energy source when compared to carbohydrates and fats, so excess protein often goes unused and is excreted in the urine in the form of urea. This mechanism can make horses drink and urinate more, further taxing stressed kidneys.

An aged horse with excessive thirst and urination might have Cushing’s syndrome, known also as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Though one of the most definitive signs of this disease is a long, sometimes shaggy hair coat, it might be possible that your horse is in the beginning stages of the disorder. A veterinarian well versed in metabolic conditions can help determine if your horse is suffering from Cushing’s, as there are several tests that can be performed to aid diagnosis.