Beet pulp is digestible fiber which is low in sugar, non-structural carbs, and high on energy. Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar beet but is beet pulp edible?
Is beet pulp edible?
Most people get confused when asked this question, is beet pulp edible. Some think that it’s good to eat both the sugar beet pulp and the pulp extracted from juices while others are of the opinion only one is edible, so the answer varies.
After sugar beets are processed for sugar the byproduct you get is a fibrous material, beet pulp that is either dried to be mixed with other animal feeds or compressed into pellets.
The pellets can be soaked in water for about three hours to soften them before feeding horses. However, when feeding livestock you don’t need to soak it in water, dehydrated beet pulp is good for ruminants.
You can also feed it to your pigs, rabbits, and poultry. Beet pulp has very little sugar but high on fiber and energy and low in non-structural carbs.
Although there have been safety concerns about dry beet pulp choking horses, this can only happen if the horse doesn’t have access to water, if the particles are big, or if the horse feeds aggressively.
Other concerns are that if the horses eat dry beet pulp then take water it can cause the stomach to swell, colic, or impaction. Soaking beet pulp makes it easier for older horses to chew, improves the taste, and makes it easier to mix in medication or other supplements the horses might be taking. Click here to learn more about beet pulp.
Advantages of beet pulp to horses
Beet pulp provides fiber to your horse’s diet but it’s not the same as the fiber in the hay. The best part about it is it’s easier to digest and it’s a significant source of energy. Since the fiber in the beet pulp is quickly digested, it readily provides energy and calories to the horse than hay.
As a useful source of energy, beet pulp can help boost the athletic ability of your horses and help support other functions like lactation. Adding beet pulp to your horse’s diet it provides needed calories.
It’s also good for older horses that can’t be able to digest hay or have trouble chewing. If your horse can’t digest other types of fiber or has problems with their digestive tract, beet pulp is the best choice.
Beet pulp is considered to be prebiotic which is beneficial to the microbes in the horse’s gut. However, it shouldn’t be the only source of fiber in the horse’s diet because it’s low in protein and other minerals, no vitamins but rich in calcium. It will not be sufficient to provide all the nutrients your horse needs.
If you have a horse that is underweight you can feed it beet pulp to help it gain some weight. The energy produced by beet pulp doesn’t increase insulin or glucose levels but it’s released slowly providing a steady supply of energy.
You can use beet pulp as a top dressed supplement for your horses. Soaking it helps to retain moisture especially the pellets because of their hardness and change in volume when wet. This prevents it from swelling in the throat or stomach.
Beet pulp
Beet pulp is often mixed with molasses to make it more palatable for horses. If your horse is sensitive to sugars and you’re worried about the 3% sugar content in the molasses you can go for plain beet pulp without the molasses.
Using beet pulp is very economical when you’re running low on hay. Horses need a constant supply of roughage which helps in proper digestion. Although it’s not as good as hay when it comes to nutritional benefits it can serve until you restock on hay.
Do you still think beet pulp is edible?
Beet pulp is the byproduct got after processing sugar beets or extracting beet juice. Some people say there are both edible while others don’t recommend consumption of sugar beet pulp.
All in all, sugar beet pulp is good for your horses providing digestible fiber with low sugars and starch content. It also has digestible energy that helps in increasing weight and a good supplement to include in your horse’s diet.
FAQ
Do beet pulp pellets need to be soaked?
It’s recommended that you soak beet pulp pellets3-4 hours before feeding your horse. It’s also beneficial because you increase your horse’s water intake.
What are the benefits of feeding beet pulp to horses?
It’s a digestible fiber supplement that is added to your horse’s feed. It contains low sugars which are good for horses and low starch content.
Can humans eat beet pulp?
Beet pulp is what remains after you’ve extracted the juices and sugars which is used as a good supply of dietary fiber in humans and mostly used in animal feed. However, there are different points of view on this issue.
Does beet pulp help horses gain weight?
Underweight horses can be fed beet pulp to help them gain some weight. It has highly digestible fiber and readily fermentable fiber that has more ready to use energy than hay.
Can you soak beet pulp overnight?
It’s not advisable to soak beet pulp overnight because bacteria and mold will accumulate. Soak the beet pulp in hot water and the pellets for about 30 minutes before feeding your horse.
