09/04/2025
An interesting read on
Beet pulp and why you shouldn’t feed it.
This Is the second time i have read this information-firstly from an equine iridologist and second time from a barefoot trimmer (as we all know diet affects the hoof big time!)
There are various reasons why beet pulp is really not a good idea to give to horses… here are a few:
1. It’s a byproduct of the sugar industry
Beet pulp is the fibrous residue left after sugar is extracted from sugar beets. It’s not a natural forage - it's industrial waste repurposed for feed. Often promoted as “low sugar,” but that only applies after extensive processing, soaking, or molasses removal (which is not guaranteed in every bag).
2. Often loaded with residual sugar
Many beet pulp products come with added molasses, making them even more sugary. Even “unmolassed” versions can still contain enough residual sugar to cause problems - especially for metabolically sensitive horses.
3. Not a natural fibre source
Horses are evolved to eat grasses, herbs, and naturally fibrous plants - not pulverised sugar beet leftovers. Beet pulp lacks the diversity and structure of natural forage needed to support proper chewing, saliva production, and healthy gut function.
4. Processed and nutritionally imbalanced
It has to be soaked and often supplemented to make it "safe." Doesn't offer the full spectrum of nutrients or natural buffering capacity of hay, grass, or native forage.
5. Just a filler, not a solution
Beet pulp is often used to “bulk up” feed without adding meaningful nutrition. It’s a cheap filler to stretch out rations, not a true source of nourishment.
6. Compromises the microbiome
The horse’s hindgut thrives on a wide variety of natural fibres - especially those from native grasses and forage. Feeding monoculture industrial byproducts like beet pulp can reduce microbial diversity, making the gut more fragile and prone to imbalance.
7. Unnatural Water Retention
Beet pulp can absorb 3-4 times its weight in water. That sounds helpful at first - but in reality:
* It can draw water into the gut unnaturally.
* This can disrupt normal hydration balance, especially if horses aren't drinking enough.
* In hot weather or during work, it can pull water away from the bloodstream and into the digestive tract, risking dehydration or colic.
8. Unbalanced Mineral Content
* High in calcium relative to phosphorus and magnesium.
* This throws off the delicate Ca:P:Mg ratio horses need for proper nerve, muscle, and bone function.
* Can block magnesium absorption - bad news for horses with metabolic issues or tension.
* Can contain residual nitrates, pesticides, and soil contaminants depending on how and where it was grown.
* No one talks about this because it’s a waste product - not grown for animal health, but for sugar.
9. Microbiome Disruption
* The horse’s hindgut flora is adapted to diverse, natural fibre sources (think grass, bark, herbs - not sugar beet pulp).
* Beet pulp can cause:
* Overgrowth of certain bacteria or yeasts, especially sugar-fermenting ones.
* Gas, bloating, loose stools, and even hindgut acidosis if fed in quantity.
* Reduced microbial diversity and resilience, which increases the risk of colic and laminitis.
Think of it like this… Beet pulp is a spongy, sugary filler with a skewed mineral profile. It sucks in water, warps nutrient ratios, and chokes out gut diversity - none of which are things a grazing, free-moving horse in nature would encounter.
