Beet pulp with its 10% crude protein and 18% crude fiber places it as a
borderline forage food. Beet pulp results from the extraction of sugar
 from beets and the leftover product is a crude and highly digestible fiber. Not only
 a good source of digestible fiber beet pulp is also low on the glycemic index
 and it has protein similar to that of a good grass hay.

 Beet pulp is low in phosphorus and is fairly high in calcium. Because of the
 high calcium content in beet pulp you will not want to feed it to a horse that has
 kidney disease or bladder stones. These are all factors you will want to
consider when planning your horses nutritional diet regime.

Beet pulp is also a common additive in complete feeds and other
 products such as pet foods and the like.

Some horse owners replace a portion of the horse's diet
(approx.15%-20%)with beet pulp. Beet pulp is an additive
and should not be used alone but used with a good source of pasture and/or
 long stemmed hay for the overall health of your
horse.

Beet pulp comes in shredded, pressed or pellet form and is usually
soaked in water before use as it expands considerably but it is not always
 necessary, unless your horse has problems with choking or bad
teeth, in which case you will want to soak the beet pulp before hand.

Beet pulp contains lots of fermentable fiber and may normalize
fermentation in the large intestines of the horse, which results in
over all digestive efficiency. Owners with "hard keepers"
generally substitute a good portion of their grain with beet pulp
and this seems to maintain the horses all over body condition. A
good digestive tract makes for a healthier horse.

You can also use beet pulp as a forage food because of its
high digestible fiber and energy content but as mentioned above you
will need to give your horses hay and/or pasture too as they
need the long stem fiber for hindgut health and other nutritional
needs.

If you decide to use beet pulp as a partial
replacement food or as a forage extender please
remember to add mineral and vitamin supplements
to your horses overall nutritional program.









 

Written by,

Michele D. Anderson