Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar beets. It comes in a gray fiber or pellet form that is used to supplement horse nutrition. The pulp is high in fiber, calcium and some protein. There is some concern about feeding horses dry beet pulp -- pellets in particular -- as the dried form can swell and become lodged in the esophagus, causing the horse to choke. Soaking beet pulp prior to feeding it to the horses eliminates this problem.
Step 1
Pour 2 cups of water for every cup of beet pulp in a bucket.
Step 2
Allow the beet pulp to soak for 30 minutes to two hours. Warm water soaks the pulp faster than cold water, but hot water can cook the beet pulp. The pulp is ready when there is no water left in the bucket.
Step 3
Feed the horse within 24 hours of soaking beet pulp to prevent fermentation and rot.
Tips and Warnings
- Beet pulp adds water to a horse's diet during dry winter months. Beet pulp can be soaked up to 24 hours without rotting, though the sooner you use the pulp the less risk there is.
- Feed horses soaked beet pulp in single servings to prevent freezing of the pulp in cold winter months and rotting during hot summer periods.
Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Water
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