02/26/2024
There are many misconceptions circulating about beet pulp that are not necessarily based on fact. Here is what is true about beet pulp:
🌿 Beet pulp is not high in sugar. It is high in fibre.
🌿 The pulp is produced by soaking beets in hot water, not harsh chemicals.
🌿 Pesticide levels in beet sugar have been measured at zero and the levels in the pulp are extremely low.
🌿 Beets are not treated with chemicals to kill the top leaves – the leaves are mechanically removed.
Beet pulp itself, after processing, has very little sugar in it – it is the fibrous material left over after the sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. However, during manufacturing, some feed producers add 5-10% molasses to it for palatability and also to help with the binding process. The addition of the molasses does not raise the Glycemic Index (rate of sugar absorption into the blood) by any appreciable measure and is still within a wide safety margin as far as sugar absorption is concerned. This is because the high fibre content of the beet pulp markedly slows down the absorption of the sugary molasses.
Beet pulp is an excellent source of crude fibre (18%) and contains both insoluble and soluble fibre which is mostly composed of pectin. Pectin is a highly digestible fibre which is very well digested by horses and is therefore a good source of energy for them. Horses obtain over 75% of their energy from the fermentation of fibre; not from protein, grains, carbohydrates or oils. Fibre is also a natural detoxifier of the intestines, hindgut and the liver.
Remember: ALWAYS soak it before feeding.
Do you feed your horse beetpulp?
