🐴 Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses: A Flexible Fiber Source for 2025 🥣🌿

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

As hay prices rise and supplies dwindle, many horse owners are turning to alternative fiber sources like beet pulp. In 2025, we now understand beet pulp is more than just a hay substitute—it’s a versatile, digestible feed that can benefit many types of horses when used correctly. 🧠🐎

🌾 What Is Beet Pulp?

Beet pulp is the fibrous material left after sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. Despite its origin, it contains very little sugar, making it safe for most horses. 🔍

Dr. Burt Staniar of Penn State explains that beet pulp is:

• 🥣 Highly digestible fiber—easier to break down than hay
• ⚡ Energy-dense—calories become available quicker than with forage
• ✅ A valuable ingredient in many complete senior feeds

🧓 Benefits for Senior Horses

Older horses with dental issues often struggle to chew long-stem hay. Beet pulp is:

• 💧 Easy to soak into a mash
• 🦷 Soft and chewable for horses with missing or worn teeth
• 🦠 Supports hindgut health by maintaining normal microbial balance

This makes it a top choice for geriatric horses struggling to maintain weight or hydration. ✅

🔁 Beet Pulp in Hay Shortages

Beet pulp is not a complete replacement for hay but can:

• 🌿 Supplement dietary fiber when hay is limited
• 🔄 Replace up to 10% of the total diet safely

⚠️ Why the limit? Its calcium:phosphorus ratio is around 10:1, which can unbalance the diet if fed in large amounts. Mineral balancing is key. 🧪

🍬 Molasses or Not?

Some beet pulp is coated with molasses to improve palatability. This is fine for most horses, BUT:

• 🚫 Insulin-resistant (IR) horses should avoid molasses-coated versions
• ⚠️ Horses with HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis) should also avoid it due to added potassium

Pro Tip: Soaking molassed beet pulp may remove some sugar—but not reliably enough for sensitive horses. Stick with plain, unmolassed beet pulp when needed. ✅

📦 Pelleted, Shredded, or Soaked?

Beet pulp is available in different forms:

• 🧊 Shredded: Flakes or shreds, soak easily into a mash
• ⚪ Pellets: Dense, take longer to soak but more compact
• 💧 Always soak before feeding to reduce choke risk and increase hydration

Soak 1 part beet pulp to 2–3 parts water for 15–30 minutes. 🕒

🧪 Why Commercial Feeds Are Often Better

Rather than balancing calcium and phosphorus manually, many owners choose commercial feeds that already include beet pulp:

• 🔄 Balanced minerals and nutrients
• 📊 Properly fortified with vitamins and trace minerals
• 📦 Convenient and safer for non-nutritionists

This reduces the risk of DIY imbalances and is especially useful for horses with special dietary needs. 🧠

📲 Ask A Vet for Safe Fiber Plans

Need help incorporating beet pulp into your horse’s diet? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to get custom diet plans, beet pulp guidance, and sugar content evaluations. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help balance calcium, phosphorus, and energy levels to ensure your horse gets the benefits of beet pulp—without the risks. 💬🧪

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, beet pulp is one of the best hay alternatives for horses needing more fiber or calories—when used wisely. It’s ideal for seniors, thin horses, and digestive support but must be balanced and soaked. 🐴🥣

Need a beet pulp soaking guide or calcium balance chart? Visit AskAVet.com to download tools now 🌿🧪