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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
 
Location: North Dakota | I have a horse at the boarding barn I manage. He has been here for about 2 months and he has put on some much needed weight but looking for something to add to his feed other than more grain. He is getting too much grain in my eyes as it is...as he is hot headed as well. He gets free choice grass hay and alfalfa morning and night. His owner wants to try beet pulp shreds. I am open to the idea but have never personally fed beet pulp shreds.
I have done some reading and it sounds as though you can feed both soaked or unsoaked beet pulp shreds.
This horse has good teeth so that isn't an issue.
What do you all do.. just trying to get an idea of what is most popular.
Edited by MidWest1452 2017-02-04 4:42 PM
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1849
 
| try a probiotic like fastrack. beet pulp is not something i'd feed. its ok if your desperate. I always soaked and rinsed. The water was brown and sometimes black so I quit feeding it. my horses looked like crap on it anyways. Good hay, and a good probiotic usually does the trick. If he's getting all the hay he wants and is still thin then figure out whats missing? is it poor hay quality? or maybe he's just not digesting it properly. yeah grain is ok in smaller amounts but if he's already hot then try cool calories or something like that there are alot of other options. good luck |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | camocowgirl - 2017-02-04 4:43 PM
try a probiotic like fastrack. beet pulp is not something i'd feed. its ok if your desperate. I always soaked and rinsed. The water was brown and sometimes black so I quit feeding it. my horses looked like crap on it anyways. Good hay, and a good probiotic usually does the trick. If he's getting all the hay he wants and is still thin then figure out whats missing? is it poor hay quality? or maybe he's just not digesting it properly. yeah grain is ok in smaller amounts but if he's already hot then try cool calories or something like that there are alot of other options. good luck
I'll pass on your suggestions to her. She is on partial care board so she makes the feed decisions for her horse. The grass hay he is on is the stuff we supply and so is the alfalfa and everyone else on the property looks good so.. I think it could be he isn't digesting it properly like you said. I have never had to feed beet pulp but he isn't gaining as fast as I would have thought he would. He isn't thin but he needs more mass in my eyes. Especially being an outdoor horse in ND he needs more weight. She has had him blanketed to keep him from using calories to stay warm but something is defiantly missing with this guy. |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | I'd go with ground flax. |
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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | I do feed beet pulp, I soak it for 8 hours. My lankier horses that don't winter well get one full scoop (like a cooking measuring cup full) soaked twice a day, loose Hoffman's mineral and 2 scoops of Step right High Fat. They also only get grass hay while not being ridden through the winter too, and switch to Alfalfa in the summer to make them a little hotter while their being used more.
Beet pulp as well as rice brand work very well to add more weight but not energy.
Edited by TMEquine 2017-02-04 9:34 PM
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I also feed shredded beet pulps.
I take a 2 cup measure and add about the same amount of water and feed it within 5 minutes. I don't feed grain and my horse loves it.
Beet pulp is a common ingredient in processed feeds. This is what Purina says about Beet Pulp.
Metabolized in the hindgut, this highly digestible fiber source provides slow-releasing energy, which preserves glycogen.
Delivers plenty of fuel with “no bottom” while keeping horse in “peak condition.” As with humans, fiber can be associated
with good colon health. When a horse feels better, it’s willing to perform at a higher level. Anecdotal evidence in field
tests also indicates this formula may be beneficial for horses that have a tendency to ”tie up.”
Edited by Nevertooold 2017-02-04 9:31 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 111
| I have a 29 yr old retired gelding and his molars are smooth so he cant chew up hay although he has hay to pick at - but he gets probably 4 cups of soaked shredded beet pulp with alfalfa pellets 2x a day - plus a complete feed grain - i soak the shreds and alfalfa pellets about 15 mins - i fill up my bucket with same amount of water so the shreds soak it up in about 15 mins. |
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| Worm him with a whole tube of QUEST and 30 days later with a
whole tube of ivermectin .... then ivermectin every 60 days ...
Also find a dealer that has Moormans GroStrong loose minerals
and start throwing a handful in his feed every other day ..
25 lb bag $25 ///
Add 2 lbs of whole oats to his present feeding program ..
whole oats and alfalfa are the magic combination to keep
horse in condition and full bodied and healthy ...
TB racing research has practically outlawed use of beet pulp as horse
feed ... too many heavy metals and chemicals to extract sugar during
human food processing and the beet pulp is primarily a water retention mechanism that offers no energy for the horse to use while exercising ..
it is nothing but a waste product that enhances feed mfg's profits ..
If rats/mice/bugs/worms will not eat something ... you sure don't
want to feed it to your horse ...
In 30 days using the above suggestions you will think he is a new horse
in your barn and in 60 days you will want to buy him ... lol
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 Knowledge is Power
Posts: 4051
Location: wherever my daughter's running | I always soak for 45 minutes to an hour before feeding. If you are short on time hot water vs. cold really speeds up the process. I do feed the pellets instead of the shreds. I've not found any shreds that were not dusty and that didn't leave muddy looking gunk in the bucket. I feed it more for added moisture and to help the gut than for weight gain. I've had easy keepers and hard keepers and have fed beet pulp for years. I honestly can't say it's made a huge difference in weight. The best thing I've found for weight is access to good pasture or hay 24/7. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | If I were in your situation, I would have the owner worm and treat for ulcers. Also, I would increase the alfalfa portion of his ration. I am really not a fan of beet pulp at all. Personally, I will never feed it. In my opinion, there is just never a need for it, mainly because it is a pain to feed, has almost no nutrients, has too much calcium, and it isn't really economical. Alfalfa is better in every way imaginable. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | Thanks all!
I will pass on your suggestions to her. He has been dewormed and a fecal has been done. I have also mentioned ulcers to her and she is looking into her options for that.
I think we will be skipping the beet pulp as soaking is just an annoyance in ND in winter. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would have his teeth floated and dewormed and see how it gos from there and if not putting on weight like you want in a few months then I would look into a good supplement to add that weight on. But teeth and deworming would be the first thing I would do. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | Southtxponygirl - 2017-02-05 9:42 AM
I would have his teeth floated and dewormed and see how it gos from there and if not putting on weight like you want in a few months then I would look into a good supplement to add that weight on. But teeth and deworming would be the first thing I would do.
Both were done first thing when he arrived at our barn! Thanks  |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | MidWest1452 - 2017-02-05 9:56 AM Southtxponygirl - 2017-02-05 9:42 AM I would have his teeth floated and dewormed and see how it gos from there and if not putting on weight like you want in a few months then I would look into a good supplement to add that weight on. But teeth and deworming would be the first thing I would do. Both were done first thing when he arrived at our barn! Thanks
Thats good, I would just give him more time since hes only been at the barn for 2 months, takes time getting their right weight on. I would just keep doing what your doing seens to be working, maybe up his hay some.. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | MidWest1452 - 2017-02-04 3:19 PM I have a horse at the boarding barn I manage. He has been here for about 2 months and he has put on some much needed weight but looking for something to add to his feed other than more grain. He is getting too much grain in my eyes as it is...as he is hot headed as well. He gets free choice grass hay and alfalfa morning and night. His owner wants to try beet pulp shreds. I am open to the idea but have never personally fed beet pulp shreds. I have done some reading and it sounds as though you can feed both soaked or unsoaked beet pulp shreds. This horse has good teeth so that isn't an issue. What do you all do.. just trying to get an idea of what is most popular.
I have nearly stopped feeding grain and just use beet and alfalfa pellets to add a little more to the diet than the free choice grass hay they get. My big show horse doesn't look any worse for it either. He has just as good a hair coat and carries weight as any other horse at the shows. I have a crippled broodmare in the barn, she also gets this mix soaked as well as my super old pony. The pony also gets Purnia Active Senior, although not a lot. Roughly 2-3 lbs a day divided into 2 feedings. I would much rather add the soaked beet/alfalfa pellets to a diet than grain. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Nevertooold - 2017-02-04 9:18 PM
I also feed shredded beet pulps.
I take a 2 cup measure and add about the same amount of water and feed it within 5 minutes. I don't feed grain and my horse loves it.
Beet pulp is a common ingredient in processed feeds. This is what Purina says about Beet Pulp.
Metabolized in the hindgut, this highly digestible fiber source provides slow-releasing energy, which preserves glycogen.
Delivers plenty of fuel with “no bottom” while keeping horse in “peak condition.” As with humans, fiber can be associated
with good colon health. When a horse feels better, it’s willing to perform at a higher level. Anecdotal evidence in field
tests also indicates this formula may be beneficial for horses that have a tendency to ”tie up.”
This is very well said. Beet pulp supplies energy and nothing else. A good example of empty calories.
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | wyoming barrel racer - 2017-02-05 10:53 AM
MidWest1452 - 2017-02-04 3:19 PM I have a horse at the boarding barn I manage. He has been here for about 2 months and he has put on some much needed weight but looking for something to add to his feed other than more grain. He is getting too much grain in my eyes as it is...as he is hot headed as well. He gets free choice grass hay and alfalfa morning and night. His owner wants to try beet pulp shreds. I am open to the idea but have never personally fed beet pulp shreds. I have done some reading and it sounds as though you can feed both soaked or unsoaked beet pulp shreds. This horse has good teeth so that isn't an issue. What do you all do.. just trying to get an idea of what is most popular.
I have nearly stopped feeding grain and just use beet and alfalfa pellets to add a little more to the diet than the free choice grass hay they get. My big show horse doesn't look any worse for it either. He has just as good a hair coat and carries weight as any other horse at the shows. I have a crippled broodmare in the barn, she also gets this mix soaked as well as my super old pony. The pony also gets Purnia Active Senior, although not a lot. Roughly 2-3 lbs a day divided into 2 feedings. I would much rather add the soaked beet/alfalfa pellets to a diet than grain.
Beet pulp has been a lifesaver for Dan (38). He's been on it for years along with Purina Senior Active. We started him on rice bran about 6 months ago and he looks great. He looked good before, but that rice bran has just made such a difference. He relies on us for almost 100% of his feed because he has hardly any teeth so can't eat hay or grass (unless it's longer than normal). He gets 5 cups (soaked about 20 min) am and pm along with his feed and CJ. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 585
Location: Texas | I have tried all sorts of combinations through the years. The program I have now is best for me and it includes beet pulp. I soak 2 cups of dried pulp overnight or several hours. I would not feed oats because of the starch. Some horses are ok with it, some horses aren't. I do not take the chance. One of the posters mentioned the dark colored water (mine isn't black just brown, looks like tea), it has turned out to be a benefit for me. If you are away from home and your horse goes off water they will drink the "tea" off the beet pulp. I've never had one refuse. Also might add Cool Calories to the feed. Good luck
edited to add: I use the beet pulp with no molasses
Edited by workerbee 2017-02-07 12:39 PM
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | The dark color in beet pulp is added molases.it can come with or without. Beet pulp helps the horse keep water in his sytem. Long distance riders use beet pulp to keep their horses from getting dehydrated . Forco is a prebio/probiotic that will help put that bloom on. You will be more than pleased |
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