Horses are majestic creatures, and as a horse owner, it’s essential to provide them with the best possible nutrition to ensure they stay healthy and happy. One of the most popular feed additives for horses is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar beet processing, and it’s becoming increasingly popular as a feed supplement for horses. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of beet pulp for horses, how much beet pulp to feed, and the pros and cons of using beet pulp as a feed supplement.

What is Beet Pulp?

Beet pulp is a fibrous byproduct that is left over after sugar beets have been processed to extract sugar. The beet pulp is then dried and made into pellets or shreds for animal feed. It is a highly digestible source of fiber and contains 18-20% crude fiber, making it an excellent addition to a horse’s diet.

Beet pulp also contains some essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. However, it is important to note that the nutritional content of beet pulp can vary depending on the processing method and whether or not molasses has been added.

What does Beet Pulp do for Horses?

Beet pulp offers several benefits to horses. Here are some of the ways that beet pulp can help horses:

• Digestive Health: Beet pulp is high in digestible fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion in horses. The fiber in beet pulp helps to maintain the proper pH balance in the horse’s gut, which can prevent digestive upset and colic.
• Weight Gain: For horses that need to gain weight, beet pulp can be an excellent source of energy. Because beet pulp is high in fiber and low in protein, it’s an excellent supplement for horses that need to put on weight without getting too much protein.
• Hydration: Beet pulp can help keep horses hydrated. When mixed with water, beet pulp swells and becomes a gel-like substance that can help keep horses hydrated during hot weather or when they’re exercising.
• Dental Health: Chewing on fibrous material like beet pulp can help keep a horse’s teeth healthy. Beet pulp requires a lot of chewing, which can help wear down sharp edges on teeth and prevent dental issues.
• Lowers Risk of Laminitis: Beet pulp is low in sugar and starch, which makes it a great choice for horses that are at risk of laminitis. Laminitis is a painful condition that affects the hooves of horses and can be caused by a diet that is too high in sugar and starch.

How Much Beet Pulp to Feed Horses?

The amount of beet pulp that you should feed your horse will depend on a number of factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. As a general rule of thumb, you should start by feeding your horse a small amount of beet pulp (around 1 pound per day) and gradually increase the amount over several days until you reach the desired amount.

It is important to remember that beet pulp should not be the sole source of your horse’s diet. Instead, it should be fed as a supplement to other forages such as hay or pasture. A good starting point for feeding beet pulp is to offer 0.5% to 1% of your horse’s body weight per day. So, for a 1000-pound horse, you would feed between 5 and 10 pounds of beet pulp per day.

Conclusion

Beet pulp can be a beneficial addition to your horse’s diet, providing essential nutrients and energy. When feed correctly it can help your horse reach its optimal health and performance goals. However, like all feeds you should use caution when introducing beet pulp into your horse’s diet as overfeeding or feeding too quickly can lead to digestive upset.