Re: Re: Beet Pulp

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

Hold on there pardner....
The way I read this post, it appears that the writer is saying that to feed
beet pulp dry should be of no great concern. It has been my understanding
that one of the greatest concerns is the danger of a horse getting into the
feed bin and consuming dry pulp, with devastating consequences. Not having
the veterinary background to substantiate this, I am asking that someone who
knows please clarify this for me. (are you out there, Heidi?)
----- Original Message -----
From: Kim <kim@redhorsetech.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>; casady <casady@integrityol.com>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 1999 11:08 AM
Subject: RC: Re: Beet Pulp


> On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 22:53:39 -0800, "casady" <casady@integrityol.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I just read this was one of "those" questions that stirs the pot.  =
> > Sorry, but I really need some answers.
> >   How much beet pulp do you feed for weight gain?  What is beet pulps =
> > exact purpose?  It was recommended to me for weight gain on one of our =
> > geldings, I also add rice bran approx 2 cups with it.  My vet said that
=
> > would be fine for him but never elaborated for how long or other =
> > qualitities of beet pulp.  I haven't found any litature re: beet pulp.
> >   o.k. ride camp have at it
> > Sincerely......LISA
> >  .
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi Lisa,
>
> Not stirring a pot on this end, LOL!  Beet pulp has been used by many as
> a source of digestible energy, a way to hide corn oil or other
> supplements in a ration when needed, and/or as a handy feed to help send
> water into the digestive system when made into a mash or soup.  I've
> also seen it used to help reduce the amount of hay needed when hay was
> in short supply (there probably will always be a human demand for sugar
> beets).  It's not high in soluable carbohydrates like corn, but is also
> not "just fiber" with little value in feed energy.  It's just a very
> handy feed :-).
>
> If you're familiar with alfalfa hay, beet pulp has about the same amount
> of digestible energy as a good quality, leafy alfalfa with just a bit
> less structural fiber.  Many endurance and CTR folks really like this
> feed because it is moderate in mineral and protein content on a per kg
> basis compared to alfalfa --- alfalfa's high calcium content found in
> California and some southwestern area bales may cause some troubles for
> endurance riders down the road with "thumps", and some horses may have
> problems with enterolithiasis (primarily from the higher mineral and
> protein content).  Beet pulp is not perfectly balanced itself though, so
> your horse's nutritional needs should be taken in consideration if you
> plan on feeding a significant quantity of beet pulp each day.
>
> Beet pulp makes into a great mash when water is added to it.  Feed this
> "soup" to a horse at a vet check or camp, and you'll help get more water
> into the digestive tract for the horse's use in rehydrating himself.
> There are some concerns out there about "dehydrating" a horse with dry
> beet pulp, and the possibility of choke that may be a bit
> misunderstood.
>
> Any dry feed will require a certain amount of water for "processing" in
> the digestive tract, whether it be dry hay, grain, or beet pulp.  Water
> should always be made available for the horse whenever possible, and
> especially while eating.  A healthy horse will consume as much water as
> he needs to digest his meal, so I don't see a real valid concern about
> dry beet pulp "stealing" water from the horse.  Now, a dehydrated or ill
> horse who has no inclination to drink whatsoever is a different concern,
> and a veterinarian will assess that situation depending on the severity
> and the horse's condition.
>
> As for choke concerns, the shredded form of beet pulp and pellets are
> small.  This can encourage greedy eaters to bolt down their feed even
> faster than hay, so choke *may* occur depending on the horse.  However,
> any feed in such a form can have a tendancy to cause choke with
> fast-eating horses or others with difficulty in properly
> chewing/swallowing feed.  If you have a greedy gulper, you can always
> soak the pulp or find ways to slow down the rate of feed intake to
> prevent choke.
>
> If you are feeding as much quality hay as this horse will eat and he's
> dropping weight, than beet pulp may help.  It's a far safer alternative
> to large quanities of grain.
>
>
> Kim (and 'Lee) in Lubbock, Texas.  Home of really fat prairie dogs.
>
> (okay, back to work)
>
>
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