Horses are fed beet pulp, which is simply finely chopped dry sugar beet. Beet pulp is now commonly used in horse feed. However, many horse owners shy away from feeding this energy source because of the word “sugar” and the supposedly challenging feeding procedure. Feeding sugar beet pulp, however, can be quite beneficial for some horses if you know what to look for and the advantages it has for the horse. Everything you need to know about beet pulp for horses is included in this article.
Table of Contents
What is beet pulp for horses?
To begin with, what exactly is beet pulp? Let’s start with an explanation. It refers to the same product even if it appears under several names. A byproduct of the sugar beet industry, which seeks to create sugar, is sugar beet pulp. These leftovers from industrial processing are then turned into a premium concentrated feed for use in animal feed.
The sugar beet is a type of root vegetable, just like the potato. After the beet’s sugar has been removed, pulp and fibre—or more specifically, pulp containing crude fibre—remain. This leftover product typically has molasses (sugar syrup, another by-product of sugar extraction) added to it. Beet pulps that haven’t been molassed, on the other hand, have a lower sugar concentration (5% as opposed to 20% in molassed pulps). It also means they have fewer soluble carbohydrates.
These chopped, dried sugar beet pulps can be bought either loose or as pellets.
What impact does beet pulp have on horses?
For horses, beet pulp has a lot of advantages. They are used primarily as a source of energy, which is released more gradually than, say, oats. Beet pulp is also excellent for helping overweight or underweight horses acquire weight.
Feeding recommendation of beet pulp for horses
Correct feeding of beet pulp for horses
One constantly hears that feeding beet pulp to horses is “complicated.” In fact, there are a few crucial factors to consider, if disregarded, can potentially pose a life-threatening risk in the form of colic or pharyngeal obstructions! However, the correct preparation of beet pulp does not involve any witchcraft. Sugar beet pulp can be fed to animals without any danger as long as a few rules are followed. We’ll define “complicated feeding” in the next section and demonstrate how to simplify it.
Recipe: Thoroughly soak the beet pulp
A horse’s health is seriously in danger if beet pulp is not soaked properly. Both a too short and an excessively long soak may be dangerous. However, determining the ideal soaking period is not challenging at all. You will learn what to pay attention to in the following points:
Always soak the beet pulp sufficiently in water
Before feeding, the beet pulp must be soaked in about five times the amount of cold water. Loose beet pulp should generally soak for at least six hours. Pellets must soak for a longer period of time—at least 8 to 12 hours—because of the dense pressing. In any case, soak the pellets until there are no more noticeable hard chunks
Beet pulp can swell up to four times its original size. Therefore, if it is not sufficiently soaked, it will swell when consumed in the horse’s oesophagus and may cause a potentially fatal pharyngeal obstruction. Soak the flakes or pellets in enough water for a sufficient amount of time every time. When there is still some water in the soaking container after soaking, the water supply is adequate
Never ever feed dry, unsoaked beet pulp!
Avoid over-soaking beet pulp
The next step of feeding is the supposedly “complicated” part. Both an excessively short and an excessively long bath might be hazardous to the horse.
Beet pulp is referred to as liquid feed. Feeds with a high water content and good digestion are known as liquid feeds. They are, nonetheless, rather spoilable. Therefore, soaking beet pulp too long will cause it to begin fermenting. In the worst case scenario, this may result in harmful colic
The rule of thumb here is: Do not soak for more than 24 hours and dispose immediately if the pellets smell fermented!
How should beet pulp be prepared for my horse?
Never feed beet pulp dry; always let it soak in cold water first. Due to its dense pressing, pellets require at least 8–12 hours of soaking time, whereas loose beet pulp requires at least 6 hours. These recommendations should be followed immediately since if the soaking period is too short or too lengthy, the horse's health may be at risk.
Be mindful of the seasons
Make sure the pellets don’t freeze during soaking in the winter. For the same reason that when the pellets’ soaking time is too short, the consequence of their inability to fully absorb water occurs. There is a high probability that the pellets will continue to swell in the oesophagus or digestive tract after the soaking period has been cut short, which could result in obstructions.
Due to the warm summer weather, the pellets may begin to ferment faster, having the same negative effects as an excessively long soak. Soaking the beet pulp in a cool location, such as the cellar, is advised.
Beet pulp for horses: ideal feeding quantities
Of course, the amount fed depends on the horse’s energy requirements. However, as a general rule, 250 g to 500 g of unsoaked beet pulp or 1-2 handfuls are sufficient. This amount is per horse every day. However, it is best to split the amount into two portions throughout the day.
The amount of feed should be increased gradually, just like with any other feed change. If you wish to begin giving your horse beet pulp, the first feedings should be significantly less than the recommended amount.
What is the price of beet pulp for horses?
0.60 € to 2 € per kg, depending on the brand, design, and quality. For instance, unmolassed beet pulp costs more but still contains a lot of useful fibres and has a lower sugar level.
Beet pulp for horses: Advantages
Examining the nutrients and how they impact the horse will help you decide whether beet pulp is a suitable feed to offer your own horse. Based on this, it is possible to determine if the horse actually requires the benefits associated with feeding or whether the drawbacks, such as the more difficult preparation of the meal, outweigh them.
Crude fibre and Sucrose as a Weight-gaining & Energy source
Many active horses or picky eaters benefit from the addition of concentrated feed in addition to roughage, such hay. Oats are the most popular option, however beet pulp can also be used as a concentrate. In contrast to oats, beet pulp gets its energy from sugar and crude fibre rather than starch. As a result, beet pulp has an advantage over oats because it does not have the same energising impact. This is due to the sugar beet pulp’s raw fibre content, which releases the available energy gradually and is also relatively simple to digest.
Therefore, beet pulp as a concentrate is especially beneficial for horses who require weight gain without exploding with energy. As a result, it is also appropriate for horses and ponies that are infrequently ridden as the only concentrate feed. Beet pulp is great for supplementary feeding of the following due to its high energy level, which is very slowly released and is extremely easily digestible:
Skinny horses
Poor eaters
Horses recovering after illness
Old horses
Horses that participate in long-distance activities
Horses which may experience temperature swings when energy sources are readily available
For very active sport horses, beet pulp alone is probably not sufficient as a concentrate feed. However, a combination with oats, alfalfa or other horse feed rich in crude fibre can be a solution for hot-headed sport horses in order to reduce the proportion of oats somewhat and still achieve an adequate energy supply. Combining oats and beet pulp has other advantages, which will be discussed in more detail in the “Protein, Calcium and Phosphorus” section.
Pectine
In beet pulp, there are a lot of pectins (around 25%). For horses, these plant polysaccharides are simple to digest, healthy for the intestinal flora, and a source of energy. Pectin cannot be broken down by the enzymes in the small intestine because it is a complex carbohydrate. However, small intestine bacteria that are crucial to the flora of the digestive system and are referred to as “good” bacteria can. Therefore, pectins encourage the growth of these “good bacteria,” which in turn contributes to a balanced intestinal flora.
They serve as a water reservoir by drawing in and retaining water molecules in the rear section of the horse’s intestine. Therefore, beet pulp can help reduce the symptoms of diarrhoea. Pectins, however, are capable of even more, and as a result, they also have a detoxifying effect and a favourable impact on the horse’s blood parameters.
Every horse benefits from pectins’ good influence, of course. However, the following horses benefit most from these effects:
Horses that perspire a lot when working in warmer weather (beet pulp can stop this because the pectins act as water reservoirs)
Horses that are recovering from illness and (re)establishing a balanced gut flora
How long can beet pulp be fed?
Beet pulp can be fed throughout the year. However, it is important to consider the seasonal conditions when making the beet pulp. For many horse owners, the winter is a particularly favourable time to provide beet pulp. 250 g to 500 g of unsoaked beet pulp per day and per horse might be taken into consideration as a general range for the intake. This amount should ideally be split between two meals each day.
Protein, calcium and phosphorus
The protein level of sugar beet pulp is modest (about 7%), but it is rich in calcium and energy. The calcium to phosphorus ratio, however, is not particularly ideal. A phosphorus deficiency may result from giving your horse too much beet pulp too rapidly.
All horses can benefit from these vital nutrients, of course. Oats are particularly appealing in this regard, as they have relatively high protein and phosphorus amounts but low calcium levels. Due to its high protein content, alfalfa is also an excellent supplement to other feeds. As a result, combining various meals helps to balance the nutrient levels in feeding.
Lysine
Lysine is present in beet pulp in high concentrations (5.9 g/kg). In horse feed, the amino acid lysine is regarded as limiting, which means that it is frequently lacking. However, lysine is crucial for several processes in the horse’s body . Cell division, bone and muscle growth, and fat and muscle metabolism are a few of these. Along with supporting performance, the amino acid also benefits skin and connective tissue.
Another beneficial quality of lysine is its ability to prevent or fight off viral diseases like the herpes virus. Every horse can benefit from the qualities and functions of lysine, particularly growing young horses in particular. For this rare amino acid, beet pulp is a fantastic source of minerals.
Crude fibre
Beet pulp consists to a large extent of crude fibre. Which is not only a great source of energy that is released gradually, but is also simple to chew and digest. Older horses or horses with dental issues can easily consume beet pulp due to its soft consistency.
Beet pulp is a liquid feed, making it the perfect alternative to the horse feed in winter that is quite heavy in roughage. Beet pulp is a wonderful addition to hay and straw.
For which horses is the feeding of beet pulp particularly useful?
Anyone who wants to include beet pulp in their horse’s feeding routine can, of course, do so regardless of the horse. The positive aspects of dry beet pulp benefit every horse. However, the following is a brief summary of the horses for which the feeding of beet pulp is of particular importance:
poor eaters for gaining weight
generally for gaining weight without being overloaded with energy
as concentrated feed for horses that are not ridden much/are too energetic from oats
horses in long distance sport
horses that sweat a lot during work in warmer temperatures
horses recovering after illness (to (re)build up a healthy intestinal flora)
for old horses
Where can I get beet pulp for horses?
Beet pulp has become a well-known horse feed. Thus, they can also be bought in almost every equestrian store. Depending on the type (molassed, unmolassed, pellets, loose) and supplier, prices vary from 0.60 cents to 2 euros per kilo (in Germany).
Beet pulp for horses – a summary of the most important facts
Feeding beet pulp has many positive effects on horses. For some horses these positive effects are of particular importance to achieve certain goals. However, care should be taken to keep the amount in moderation and not to feed too quickly. Therefore, and also because of the nutritional value, a combination with other products such as oats, roughage, wheat bran, mash etc can also be a good way to integrate beet pulp. The best way to do this is to pick beet pulp that is free of molasses. These are somewhat more expensive, but they only have a sugar content of 5% instead of 20%.
A disadvantage of feeding beet pulp is definitely that it is more time-consuming compared to other products. Care, organisation and time are required when preparing it, but if you know what to look for, it is absolutely doable. For some, the positive effects can definitely outweigh the effort involved in feeding. The most important thing is to pay attention to the soaking time, so you don’t have to be afraid of the turmeric root vegetables anymore.
In addition to all the positive effects of beet pulp, there is another crucial advantage: they just taste good to the four-legged friends due to their sweet taste!
Michelle Breitenfeld works as a trainee in international marketing for ehorses after her studies in media management and journalism. She will give you the best tips about horses. You can reach her at m.breitenfeld@ehorses.de.
