How Much Beet Pulp Should I Feed My Senior Horse?

A feeding rate of 4 pounds of beet pulp daily in addition to the regular ration for a mature horse that was maintaining its present body weight would result in a gain of about ½ pound per day, so you can adjust your feeding program accordingly when adding beet pulp to your horse’s diet.

How much beet pulp can a horse eat?

“But in large amounts or in a growing horse or a lactating mare, that could cause issues with bone development.” To prevent such imbalances, she says, the general limit for feeding beet pulp is no more than 10 percent of a horse’s diet by weight, which works out to no more than two to three pounds a day for an average-

How much beet pulp should I feed my 1000 pound horse?

A 1000-pound horse needs 1 to 2 percent of its body weight each day in forage, or 10 to 20 pounds. 25 percent of 10 to 20 pounds is 2.5 to 5 pounds, the maximum amount of dry beet pulp that can be substituted for the same weight of hay and still maintain maintain a complete and balanced diet.

Will beet pulp put weight on a horse?

Beet pulp can be used to help underweight horses gain weight, as it provides approximately 1,000 kcals per pound (one quart of dry beet pulp shreds weighs approximately 0.5-0.6 pounds).

Should beet pulp be soak before feeding?

It’s not necessary to soak it overnight. If you have extra water, don’t worry; you can always drain it off before you feed, or you can feed the beet pulp on the “sloppy” side. Although most horses will eat beet pulp on its own, its appeal will be improved if you stir it into your horse’s regular grain ration.

Is beet pulp good for senior horses?

In summary, beet pulp is a good dietary supplement for “hard keepers”, as a forage or fiber replacement for poor quality hay, and for older horses with problems chewing or digesting hay. The digestible energy content of beet pulp is greater than hay and less than grain.

What is the best feed for senior horses?

Alfalfa hay and good quality grass hays are preferable to stemmy and mature hays that have tougher fiber to ferment. The small intestine loses some function – Older horses find it harder to digest protein in the small intestine.

Can beet pulp cause laminitis?

So, when consumed heavily, beet pulp is rich in energy but doesn’t include harmful amounts of sugars that can cause laminitis in horses. The fiber in beet pulp is very digestible, which is why some horses won’t stop eating it.

Which is better beet pulp pellets or shreds?

I feed pellets. I find no difference in their consistency once soaked–pelleted beet pulp is identical to shreds, with enough time. Pellets are cheaper and cleaner IMO–the shreds always had dust and gunk, while the pellets are just, well, pellets.

What can I feed my senior horse to gain weight?

Adding Weight on Thin Senior Horses

• Feed 1% of a high-quality forage daily (based on body weight).
• Offer a complete feed specifically designed for senior horses with higher digestible fiber at a minimum of 0.5% body weight.
• Feed a senior horse more frequently, at least three times daily.

Why is my old horse so skinny?

Older horses don’t have to become underweight horses. If senior equines begin to lose weight, there is usually a reason for the change such as dental inadequacy, gastrointestinal inefficiency, immune dysfunction, or the stresses associated with pain.

Can you mix beet pulp with feed?

It has low mineral content, is a very poor amino acid source, and only contains about 9.3% protein. Beet pulp fits into a feeding program very well as an energy ingredient, but it needs to be balanced for the other nutrients.

Is beet pulp or alfalfa better for horses?

Both products have a lot of calcium, but alfalfa has quite a bit more protein and other nutrients. Beet pulp is a better choice for easy keepers and especially for horses who have had trouble with laminitis. Alfalfa is quite rich and can lead to founder in these horses.

Does Triple Crown Senior have beet pulp in it?

Developed specifically for older horses, Triple Crown Senior features a grain free, beet pulp-based formula with a higher nutrient and fat content to provide older horses with the digestive assistance and energy they need.

Is beet pulp good for laminitis?

A supplement containing protein, vitamins, and minerals will help the horse heal damaged tissues. For thin laminitic horses, consider providing calories from beet pulp (without molasses), alfalfa hay or cubes, soy hulls, or vegetable oil.

Can horses with Cushings have beet pulp?

Feeding a Cushings Horse
So, the average 1,000-pound horse should be fed 15 to 20 pounds of hay per day. If your horse needs more energy to maintain a good body condition you should feed high-fat feeds or beet pulp. Avoid grains and feeds with molasses, which are high in NSC.

What age is considered senior for horses?

By age definition “senior” horse has been defined as 15+ years of age. Due to improvements in veterinary care and nutrition, horse routinely live 25-30 years of age, some into their 40’s. It is not uncommon to see horses in late teens and twenties performing at high levels.

How many pounds of senior should I feed my horse?

rate of feeding should not exceed 1.0 lb per day for each horse.

What is considered the age when a horse is geriatric?

At what age is a horse considered geriatric? It depends on the individual because some horses age more gracefully than others. A general rule is that a horse 18 to 20 years of age is entering the golden years.

How much beet pulp do I give?

You can begin to calculate how much beet pulp to feed a horse by looking at the rate of weight gain that occurs in an average horse from this product. For every 4 pounds of daily beet pulp fed to a horse daily, it can maintain its present body weight and gain up to one-half pound per day.

What is the best feed for horses with laminitis?

Hay
Hay – The Core Feed For A Laminitis Diet
The basis of any diet for a horse or pony prone to laminitis or suffering acute laminitis is hay. The best choice of forage is one that is low in sugar, starch, and fructans (non-structural carbohydrates or NSC).