Utah Probes Horse Deaths Tied to Alfalfa Cubes
State agriculture officials are testing feed cubes sold in southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona after several horses died or fell ill.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Large Animals
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Three horses have died on one farm in southern Utah, and several more became sick, prompting an investigation by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The agency has issued a voluntary recall of Laub's Feeding and Cubing alfalfa hay cubes sold starting October 3 and placed a hold order on their sale.
Why it matters
Reports of sick horses have come from southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona, suggesting the concern may extend beyond a single farm. Owners who feed alfalfa hay cubes to their horses in the region are directly affected while the cause remains unconfirmed.
The recall covers Laub's Feeding and Cubing alfalfa hay cubes sold starting October 3, and three horses have died on a single farm. Whether the cubes caused the deaths is not yet known, as samples are being analyzed.
The players
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
The state agency responsible for regulating agriculture and food safety in Utah, leading the investigation and recall.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency that oversees food and animal feed safety nationally and whose laboratory is analyzing the collected samples.
The details
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food inspectors are collecting samples from the Laub's Feeding and Cubing facility to submit to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration laboratory. The agency is also testing feed cubes sold in the areas where horses became sick or died.
Timeline
October 3: Sales of the recalled Laub's alfalfa hay cubes began.
Friday: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced the investigation into horse deaths and illnesses.
Monday: The agency began receiving additional reports of sick horses.
Seasonal Patterns
Voluntary feed recalls like this one follow a familiar pattern in which state agriculture departments act first and FDA laboratories confirm contamination afterward. Livestock illness clusters that cross state lines, as seen here in Nevada and Arizona, are a recurring feature of these investigations.
Horse owners in southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona who have fed Laub's alfalfa hay cubes should watch for signs of illness and contact a veterinarian promptly. Check your feed supply against the recall before using any cubes from the affected sales period.
The takeaway
Owners of horses should check their hay cubes against the recall and report sick animals to a veterinarian. Until the test results arrive, avoiding the recalled product is the most practical precaution.
What happens next
Final test results from the alfalfa hay cube analysis are expected to return within the month.
Further reading
For more on animal health concerns, explore our Large Animals coverage.
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