Beet pulp is a by-product resulting from the production of sugar from beets. In equine dietetics, they are classified as so-called “super fiber”. What does this mean? They are digested in the large intestine with the participation of bacterial flora, but this process occurs much easier than in the case of traditional hay. As a result, pulp provides large amounts of slowly released energy. This means that they do not cause hyperactivity, and at the same time provide strength for work and allow you to safely build the horse’s fitness and muscle mass.
Due to the very low content of non-structural carbohydrates, pulp (especially non-molasses) is safe for horses with specific requirements. They are ideal for feeding horses with ulcers and those suffering from metabolic diseases, such as laminitis, EMS (equine metabolic syndrome) or PPID (Cushing’s syndrome). Moreover, it is an absolutely invaluable feed for older horses. Seniors who cannot chew hard hay due to missing teeth can maintain a healthy weight and a well-functioning digestive system thanks to the soft pulp made from pulp.
The most important issue when feeding beet pulp is its proper preparation. They absolutely must be soaked in water before serving! Beet pulp has a huge ability to absorb liquids. They can increase their volume up to five times. Giving them dry may cause very dangerous and painful clogging of the esophagus or stomach. The soaking time depends on their form: hard granules usually require several hours (it is worth pouring warm water over them, which speeds up the process), while small flakes swell much faster.
A big advantage of beet pulp is the high content of easily absorbable calcium. This element plays a key role in bone structure and additionally has gastric acid buffering properties, which is extremely valuable in horses with peptic ulcer disease. Moreover, the richness of calcium in pulp naturally balances the excess phosphorus present in traditional diets based on cereals (e.g. oats). In the case of grain-free diets, it is worth controlling the ratio of both these elements in the entire food ration. If necessary, phosphorus can be easily supplemented by combining pulp with bran (e.g. rice or wheat).
As you can see, beet pulp has a very wide range of uses. You don’t have to be afraid of them in your horses’ diet. This is a valuable component that has a health-promoting effect on the intestines and allows you to eliminate excess oats. When introducing them into the diet, remember the golden rule: introduce each new feed gradually. Changing your diet too abruptly may result in digestive discomfort!