Beet Pulp: 5 Feeding Benefits

Beet Pulp: 5 Feeding Benefits

Recently, I looked into how to increase fiber in my senior horse’s diet.  My horse Kat is a 28 (soon to be 29) year old Quarter Horse that cannot chew and digest hay any longer and is typically kept on pasture year round.  Our pasture did not stockpile forage well this past fall due to weather and I knew he would need fiber supplementation in addition to senior feed.  I brought this up talking to a co-worker of mine (and fellow horse owner/enthusiast) and she suggested beet pulp and/or chopped hay (no stems to process there).  I thought to myself, beet pulp- I haven’t used that stuff in years and also, why didn’t I think of that?  Here are five benefits you should consider when it comes to feeding beet pulp:

1.      Beet pulp is a soft, easily digestible fiber source excellent for seniors and horses with dental issues.

2.      Beet pulp is high in fiber, relatively low in crude protein (8-10%), and has been found to be high in digestible energy (higher than hay but lower than grain).  *Beet pulp is great for horses that need a low carb diet!

3.      Beet pulp comes dehydrated in two forms: pelleted or shredded.  This allows for easier storage and limits spoilage.  You soak the beet pulp you need and feed within 24 hours.

4.      By feeding soaked beet pulp, you can increase your horse’s water intake in the winter months.  Tip- Soak beet pulp with warm water in the winter (never hot water as this can destroy the nutrients).

5.      Running short on hay?  By adding beet pulp to your horse’s diet, you can actually stretch your hay supply further.

So far, beet pulp has been a great choice for my senior horse.  I soak beet pulp pellets and then add his senior horse feed on top for increased palatability.  During a snow event, he is also receiving chopped hay since it is harder for him to forage in the snow. 

Kat eating his beet pulp and senior feed.

Caution

While beet pulp is an excellent fiber source, feeding too much of it can result in a calcium phosphorous ratio imbalance.  Therefore, it is advised to not feed more than 25% of your horse’s total diet in beet pulp.  You may want to even feed less than 25% to younger horses to ensure normal bone development.   As with any change to your horse's diet, start by feeding only a small amount and gradually increase the amount fed over a period of a week or so. Consulting with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to ensure your horse's total diet remains balanced for all nutrients is also recommended.

For further reading about beet pulp please click here (source used for this post): http://livestocktrail.illinois.edu/horsenet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=10020