Centuries ago, dating back to the Early Renaissance, sainfoin hay was a common feed for horses and livestock. Over the years, as feed producers looked to faster-growing grain sources, sainfoin slowly started to fall out of favor. Fortunately, in the late 20th century, a handful of United Kingdom farmers collaborated on the preservation and growth of sainfoin, feeding it to their herds, and, more recently, initiating studies about the health benefits of this ancient legume.
Mary Hartman, the CEO and Founder of StableFeed, has built upon the renewed excitement for sainfoin, by bringing it back into production in the United States. Currently, StableFeed is the only company in North America that produces, manufactures, and processes sainfoin hay for the equine marketplace. We recently spoke with Mary about her experience and work with sainfoin and other alternative grains.
Also known as “holy hay” or “healthy hay,” sainfoin is a forage legume that dates back to the 13th century. “In 1536, King Henry VIII sent his botanists to France to study the forage and to see if it could be brought back to England for use with horses, sheep, and cattle,” Hartman tells us. “It was rumored to be better for hard-working animals than alfalfa, and much preferred by all grazing animals.”
In recent years, the 16th-century accounts have been confirmed by researchers at Minnesota’s Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Sainfoin is highly palatable, with voluntary consumption being 20%-30% higher than traditional hays which are fed to horses and livestock. The forage is low in sugar and starch, so it can be considered for any horse, including those on strict diets.
StableFeed’s Sainfoin Forage Pellets have very similar nutrition values to alfalfa, but with a greater concentration of amino acids. Hartman explains, “It has a higher level of condensed tannins, which means the protein is protected as it moves through the stomach and small intestine (a “bypass protein”), so it is primarily digested in the hindgut, which makes protein utilization higher.” Better nutrient absorption allows the horse to maintain their body mass and build muscle more efficiently. The lower per-weight feeding rations also make it a more economical option for animal owners.
Sainfoin is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which increases its natural anti-inflammatory support.“The plant metabolites that make up the condensed tannins possess antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties,” Hartman continues. Studies have also shown that sainfoin promotes a longer chewing time, which supports salivation, the production of digestive enzymes, and increased water consumption. It is non-gas producing, which can support horses prone to gas colic. Horses with fecal water syndrome, hindgut acidosis, ulcers, or high fecal worm counts may benefit from sainfoin in their diet.
In addition to being healthy for horses, sainfoin is a non-GMO, organic forage that also provides environmental benefits. Healthy crops of sainfoin smother the weeds, eliminating the need for pesticides and weed killers. “Herbicides and pesticides are known to kill sensitive bacteria in the equine microbiome, so we are growing this organically and will be amending the soil using regenerative agricultural practices,” Hartman says. Sainfoin also helps to return nitrogen to the soil while providing an incredible food source for pollinators, such as honey bees.
StableFeed currently uses their sainfoin crops to produce two different products: the StableFeed Sainfoin Forage Pellet and the StableFeed Seasons Biome Blend Feed. The Seasons Biome Blend Feed is a forage-based, nutrient-dense grain that provides a balanced panel of all 22 amino acids (including limiting amino acids), and contains all B vitamins and enough vitamins A and E to meet your horse’s daily vitamin requirements. The formulation also includes balanced chelated minerals that provide bioavailable hoof support. “Typical horse feeds are 35-39% bioavailable and use industrial waste products in their formulations,” Hartman explains. “Our Seasons Biome Blend Feed is 76.4% digestible nutrition, 100% more than many other horse feeds.”
The Seasons Biome Blend Feed was developed using a research grant from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute in Waseca, MN. StableFeed worked with a Senior Research Scientist and his team to create the formulation. It took them over two years because they were determined to create a feed without using synthetics and powders to meet nutritional specifications. “Each time we added a different foodstuff to the formula it impacted every other value so we would have to make adjustments. It was an interesting and painstaking process,” Hartman says. “Equine nutritionist Juliet Getty, Ph.D. consulted on the project at various stages of development to be sure we were balancing nutrients appropriately, and I sent the formulation to three veterinarians who work in equine nutrition to solicit unbiased opinions. We ran a 3-month beta test with 22 horses to make sure the feed was both palatable and effective, and we were blown away by the fast, visible changes in our equine volunteers.”
Some of the most compelling reasons to feed Sainfoin Forage Pellets and Seasons Biome Blend Feed may be the testimonials. Kristen Rogner, the Manager of The Cheshire Horse of Saratoga, recently integrated StableFeed products into her feeding regime. She tells us, “Seasons Biome Blend Feed has been a new staple in my barn after our stores began stocking it. I am so impressed with the quality of this feed and the number of herbs added that provide extra benefits to my horse’s diet. It’s not dusty, it smells like fresh-cut hay, and you can see that it’s high quality. StableFeed’s chia and sainfoin products help my horses’ coats stay shiny and soft, their hooves strong and they absolutely love it! I have also noticed a reduction in gas in my small pony as well. I love knowing that I am feeding this to my horses with a natural approach.”
Check out this video to learn more about the experience that another happy customer had with the sainfoin and Seasons Biome Blend Feed with her senior Quarter Horse gelding:
At The Cheshire Horse, we believe in supporting a whole horse approach when it comes to nutrition, and we are excited to introduce Sainfoin Forage Pellets, as well as Seasons Biome Blend Feed to our product lineup. Studies are sure to continue to focus on the health benefits of sainfoin, with potentially more exciting news about this “miracle feed” on the horizon!
Where can we purchase this? And how expensive is it? Usually something so good is completely out of most regular peoples budget.
Hi Teri, we currently carry these products at our New Hampshire store. They are also available for online order with in-store pickup. You can shop the StableFeed Sainfoin Forage Pellet at https://www.cheshirehorse.com/p/stablefeed-sainfoin-forage-pellet/KW72864.html and the StableFeed Seasons Biome Blend Feed at https://www.cheshirehorse.com/p/stablefeed-seasons-biome-blend-feed/KW72865.html.
Hi Terri, Add up the costs associated with all of your current feeds and supplements for one horse/month and do a cost comparison. With the Seasons Biome Blend you have high quality proteins, all vitamins/minerals needed to replace a hoof supplement, Vitamin E, all B vitamins and all 100% more bioavailable so you feed much less. We typically find that while the price per bag is higher, the cost to feed your horse is the same or less and your horse is better able to maintain their own health. Fewer vet and farrier visits = more money in your pocket.
Mary Hartman
Would this be a seed a person could plant to the horse pastures.
Sainfoin is not really intended to be planted as a pasture seed. It’s more similar to alfalfa in that it does best planted in a dedicated pasture that does not have to withstand horse hoof traffic.