I’ve fed beet pulp for many years, at one stage I tried soy hull pellets however found the results & economy of beet pulp much better for my horses. Despite beet pulps widespread use, there still appears to be a great deal of misinformation & misconceptions about it’s value as part of an overall diet for horses. Just yesterday I saw a post on a forum where someone claimed it was “dangerous” to feed, unfortunately they did not explain why they believed this to be the case.
I came across an excellent article written by independent nutritionist Clair Thunes, (I always prefer to heed advice from independent nutritionists rather than those employed by feed companies who have a vested interest in pushing certain products). This article is easy to read & understand, & answers some of the common questions I see regarding beet pulp. It also provides an explanation as to why some people refer to beet pulp as a “super fibre”.
You can see the article here:
Pros & Cons of feeding horses beet pulp.
When I first moved to the US, the available beet pulp was in the form of either shreds or pellets, unlike the quick soaking flakes from back home. Initially I soaked the pulp & then drained, however I have found draining it to be unnecessary. Personally I feed pellets, having found this to be more economical than shreds on a price per pound basis. I add Apple Cider Vinegar (1/4 cup), cover with about double the amount of water & soak overnight (unfortunately the quick soaking brands are not available in my area). Just before feeding I add the other ingredients of my mares diet (I do like to mix my own!).
Beet pulp can be a valuable addition to a horses diet, especially when access to quality grazing or hay may be restricted. One thing to remember with all feed ingredients is to create your diet on a DRY MATTER basis. I do hope the article has answered some of your questions, if you have others, I will endeavour to answer them or point you in the direction in which to find answers.
Cheers for now & happy riding!
Utah Sporthorse 
May I ask what the purpose of adding the vinegar is? Thank you!
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Hi Quincie, my apologies for the tardy reply, your comment notification was only just found! Whilst there is little scientific research on many natural remedies, including ACV, many people believe it aids digestion, decreases the risk of enteroliths &, as it is believed to kill pathogens, can help prevent soaked feed from going rancid in hot conditions. I am of the opinion that being unable to prove the positive does not prove the negative, meaning that even though there is no proof of the claims, that does not prove that it doesn’t work, & it certainly isn’t harmful. I choose to feed it in the event it is beneficial for the horse, especially with enterolith as I would rather err on the side of caution as far as that is concerned!
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