Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses
Beet pulp is a by-product from the processing of sugar beets. It is a common ingredient added to horse feeds and supplements to provide additional calories, fiber, and nutrients. Here’s an overview of using beet pulp for horses:
What is Beet Pulp?
Beet pulp is the fibrous material that remains after the sugar is extracted from sugar beets. The diffusing process removes almost all of the sugar, leaving the pulp behind. The dried pulp comes in shreds or pellets that can be easily incorporated into a horse’s diet.
Benefits of beet pulp
Benefits of Beet Pulp
There are several benefits to adding beet pulp to a horse’s ration:
- Calorie dense and easily digestible – Beet pulp is a highly digestible fiber that supplies about 1,000 kcal per pound, making it a good choice for hard keepers who need to gain weight.
- Aids in hydration – The fiber in beet pulp helps retain water in the digestive tract, contributing to better hydration.
- Supports muscle maintenance – The nutrients from beet pulp help preserve muscle mass, which aids senior horses or equines recovering from illness/injury.
- Easy to chew and palatable feed – The shreds or pellets are easy for a horse to chew and swallow. Most horses readily consume and enjoy beet pulp.
Recommended Feeding Amounts
Beet pulp can make up 10-20% of a horse’s total forage ration. The recommended amount as a forage replacement is 0.5 to 1 pound of beet pulp per 100 pounds of a horse’s body weight per day. If you choose to feed this much, divide the total amount into 2-3 separate, smaller meals if possible. Horses can benefit from even a small amount, too. Personally, I feed my 1,300 pound thoroughbred 1 pound a day to bulk up his grain.
How to Feed Beet Pulp
When incorporating beet pulp for the first time, start with smaller amounts and gradually increase every few days. Mix the beet pulp with the horse’s normal grain to make the feed more enticing.
Soak beet pulp in water for as long as possible before feeding, using a 2:1 water to beet pulp ratio. Soaking makes the shreds fully expand and become soft enough to completely digest. The hydration enables better nutrient absorption.
My favorite tip for soaking beet pulp is to use two buckets. Drill small holes in the bottom of one and place it inside the other before adding water. After it soaks, lift the first bucket out of the second to drain the beet pulp and rinse if needed.
Things to Consider
- Adjust other feeds – Lower high starch/carbohydrate grains concurrently to accommodate calories from beet pulp.
- Prevent choke and colic – Feed soaked beet pulp to minimize choke risk and allow for hydration. It is a common belief that not soaking beet pulp prior to feeding will cause it to expand in the stomach, causing colic. There is some disagreement surrounding the validity of this statement, but I soak mine just to be safe.
- Watch sugar intake – Some beet pulp has molasses added. If you are feeding to a high energy or sugar-sensitive horse, rinse your beet pulp before feeding and monitor behavior to make appropriate adjustments.
- Find palatable sources – Flavor and texture can vary. Find a beet pulp product your horse likes.
What to Look Out For
When introducing beet pulp, monitor the horse for any adverse reactions like colic symptoms or loose manure. Consult a vet or equine nutritionist if you ever have any concerns about your horse’s diet
Beet pulp can be an excellent supplement for horses needing some extra calories and hydration. Following suggested amounts for feeding, soaking properly beforehand, finding palatable brands, and carefully monitoring changes will help make beet pulp a highly beneficial addition to your horse’s diet.