| As a holistic practitioner for more than 12 years, I have | | | | However, the water only removes what is on the |
| assisted more than 100 horse owners with equine | | | | outside. The soaking process removes the sugar from |
| diets and nutrition. I have studied and gained quite a bit | | | | the outside, but not the chemicals. Toxins are stored in |
| of experience with equine veterinarian, Dr. Lee Miller, | | | | the pulp not the juice. |
| for fifteen years. It is my intention to share my | | | | Often, if the horse is unable to digest the beet pulp. |
| personal experiences, both educational and in the field, | | | | Their hind-ends "shut down" and become weak. The |
| regarding what I have learned about feeding beet pulp. | | | | common complaint being, "my horse has a weak |
| Nutrition and digestive processes affect performance | | | | hind-end." |
| and overall condition. Different feeds break down | | | | Case in Kentucky - A lady emailed me about her paint |
| differently based on the horse. Some of these effects | | | | that had been seen by vets, chiropractors, etc. to no |
| include lameness, arthritis, colic, and other health-related | | | | avail her paint was weak from behind, bad stifles? He |
| illnesses. | | | | was 4yrs old they said arthritis, I said what are you |
| Many times feed companies and veterinarians will | | | | feeding? Turns out she was feeding a product that |
| recommend beet pulp for COPD horses for added | | | | was mostly beet pulp and rice bran. She took the paint |
| fiber, or as an alternate hay and grass source. | | | | off the feed, then sent a email stating her horse was |
| Although beet pulp may present no problems in the | | | | moving much better and was able to ride him again. |
| short-term, there are no significant studies on the | | | | A reputable event trainer, Katie Worley from Rock |
| long-term effects. Please note that alot of horse | | | | Solid Training Center, asked me to check her horses. I |
| owners feed beet pulp with no apparent problems, | | | | found was they were all weak in the hind-end, and |
| while other horse owners will have exhausted all | | | | Katie agreed. After looking at a tag from her feed, we |
| treatment protocols and still not know why their horse | | | | found beet pulp listed as the third ingredient. After |
| has loose stools, stifles issues, hip problems. | | | | Katie took her horses off the beet pulp feed, she |
| Not looking at what they are feeding: so let's see what | | | | called to say they were using their hind-ends, and |
| the expert vet in his field says and clear up the beet | | | | were much stronger. |
| pulp issue once and for all: | | | | Another owner, M.D. Kerns, wrote in to tell me about |
| Lon Leiws DVM-Feeding and Nutrition care of the | | | | his horse which had been on beet pulp for nine months. |
| Horse 1982 states quoted : | | | | "Although I was very skeptical at the onset, I am now |
| Excess amounts of oxalates ( form of salt) may be | | | | prepared to admit that Bodhi is looking much different |
| present in these plants-halogeteon, greasewood, | | | | and much fit than he did when he was on the other |
| BEETS, dock , rhubarb-(Beets =product beet pulp) - If | | | | feed. His coat looks good as ever and his waist (loss |
| the horse consistently eats theses plants over a | | | | of all the water trapped in the hind-gut by the beet pulp |
| LONG extendend period of time, calcium deficency will | | | | fiber) is nearly back to its former Thoroughbred |
| result. Insoulble oxalate crystals will deposit in the | | | | elegance and slimness, he is without a doubt the most |
| kidneys resulting in kidney damage - Could be the | | | | handsome horse at the farm." |
| reason for the water molecules trying to flush the | | | | What does this all mean? Ask yourself these |
| kidneys? | | | | questions:o Does my horse feel weak in the hind |
| Beet pulp originates from sugar industry. It is an | | | | end?o Are his hooves brittle?o Does it seem like his |
| insoluble fiber, meaning that it does not interact with the | | | | stifles are weak?o Does my horse appear to be |
| body. It rushes through the intestines taking with it | | | | lacking energy?o What about the coat? Is it dull?o |
| whatever supplements have been given. Simply put, it | | | | Does my horse have loose stools? Are his stools |
| cannot be digested. It takes four molecules of water | | | | loose or hard? |
| for the body to process beet pulp-adding water | | | | If you horse has any of these symptoms then: |
| weight, and making the horse appear heavier. Once | | | | Try the following for three months. Take your horse |
| beet pulp is removed from the diet, the horse loses | | | | off beet pulp, and use good quality hay pellets, or |
| weight quickly, leading the owner to believe that the | | | | grass hay, remembering to soak in water., for COPD |
| horse needs the beet pulp. | | | | horses- Make sure that your horse has access to |
| Dr. Joyce Harman of the Harmany Equine Clinic states | | | | free-choice minerals. In addition, read your feed labels. |
| that not all sugar can be eliminated from soaking the | | | | Most of them list "roughage by-products" which can |
| beets, therefore some remains in the pulp. Sugar | | | | actually contain beet pulp. Take a before and after |
| contributes to insulin-resistance, and a condition known | | | | picture, and really look at the hind-end. Notice how your |
| as Cushing's syndrome. | | | | horse moves after three months. I don't intend to |
| Like many other crops, sugar beets are treated with | | | | offend anyone with this article if your horse is fine on |
| an extensive array of herbicides to limit weeds and | | | | beet pulp great, but if you are having any of theses |
| grasses in the fields. The herbicides are absorbed by | | | | symptoms you may take a look at what you are |
| the beets. Nothing removes the chemicals from the | | | | feeding. |
| pulp. In addition, growers top the beet plants with a | | | | Wouldn't you agree that prevention is far cheaper than |
| chemical defoliant to kill back the tops before harvest. | | | | the cost of treating health problems? We are our |
| These chemicals also end up by-product beet pulp. | | | | horse's caregivers. We owe it to them to be as |
| Dr. Eleanor Kellon, DMV, says that beet pulp is safe; it | | | | knowledgeable and informed about what we put into |
| is washed with water to remove the solvents. | | | | them. |