By Kentucky Equine Research Staff
Fiber fermentation in the hindgut provides the horse with energy to grow, work, and play. The fiber fraction of a horse’s diet typically comes from pasture or hay, but there are forage alternatives that can help supplement energy, benefit the digestive system, and provide fiber for horses that have trouble chewing traditional forage.
One such forage alternative is beet pulp. According to Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, “Beet pulp is an energy-rich source of digestible fiber that helps promote a healthy microbial population in the hindgut.”
Beet pulp is a byproduct of the sugar beet industry. Sugar beets are grown and harvested to make sucrose and sugar, and beet pulp is the plant material left over once the sugar has been removed. Because of the processing, beet pulp contains minimal sugar.
“Dried beet pulp products are usually available with or without added molasses. The sugar content of unmolassed beet pulp shreds is less than 10%, making it a safe feed for horses that need a low-sugar diet. Shreds with added molasses contain, on average, less than 15% sugar,” explained Crandell.
Beet pulp is considered a prebiotic, meaning it is beneficial to the millions of microbes in the horse’s hindgut. A robust, well-functioning microbiome contributes to overall health. Despite its prebiotic benefit, beet pulp should never be the sole fiber source of the diet. Beet pulp is low in protein (typically 8-10% crude protein) and rich in calcium but is devoid of vitamins and low in other minerals. While research reported in Nutrient Requirements of Horses, published by the National Research Council, showed that a diet consisting of 45-55% beet pulp had no negative effects on the horses consuming it, beet pulp alone will not provide sufficient nutrients, noted Crandell.
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). Byproducts of microbial fermentation of beet pulp in the hindgut include volatile fatty acids, or VFAs, which are absorbed and turned into energy. This energy does not cause a spike in glucose or insulin and is released slowly for a more steady supply. Beet pulp is a common ingredient in commercial grain concentrates because of its energy density and benefit to the microbiome.
Beet pulp can also be used as a top-dressed supplement. Soaking is recommended because beet pulp holds moisture, making it useful for adding water to the digestive system.* Dry shreds will not swell in the throat or stomach when fed appropriately. If feeding beet pulp pellets, soaking is required because of the hardness of the pellet and the significant change in volume once pellets are wet.
Beet pulp has an unfair reputation for causing choke in horses. Choke can be caused by any feedstuff, including forages, that are eaten greedily and swallowed without proper chewing.
In summary, beet pulp is an option for adding energy and promoting digestive health in horses. Contact a KER nutrition advisor for advice on whether beet pulp is right for your horse.
"Work with the nature of the horse" ~ Monty Roberts
In part two of this new online video series, Monty works to put the first halter on Cinder, a wild horse, outside of the gentling chute.
By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
A smooth, strong topline is a definitive sign of health. Your horse’s back musculature not only looks good but is important for his ability to support his spine and joints.
If the topline is diminished, it is important to assess its cause. Some possible reasons include:
While each of the above points can be discussed at length, emphasis will be on the last four bullet points since they are influenced by your horse’s diet.
Why does PPID cause muscle loss?
One of the first physical characteristics of this disease is a decline in topline muscle mass.[i] Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, meaning it causes muscle weakness and wasting. Because of the excessive production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and hence, cortisol, the muscles will break down or atrophy, and so you will see a characteristic swaying of the back.
Losing weight by limited forage intake will make matters worse[ii]
Reducing caloric intake and burning more calories helps your horse’s body use the energy he is storing. But there is a component to weight loss that has nothing to do with calories – it has to do with hormones. Hormones, such as cortisol and insulin, dictate to your horse’s body how much fat he will store; these hormones are keenly sensitive to stress.
If you are seeking help for your overweight horse, you may be getting advice that is unsuitable for your horse’s long-term health. If eating less means taking away hay or pasture, then it is contradictory to what your horse needs. Yes, do take away fattening cereal grains and sugars, but never, never, never restrict forage.[iii] Why? Because restricting forage is the most stressful thing you can do to your horse.[iv]
Restricting forage results in loss of muscle mass.[v] You will see weight loss, but much of it is due to a reduction in the longissimus dorsi muscle that runs along the topline.[vi]
Aging[vii]
The body changes with age, along with reduced muscle mass[viii] for several possible reasons:
How many pounds of protein does a horse require?
On average, an adult horse at maintenance will benefit from 1.4 lbs (636 grams) of protein per day.[ix] Horses who exercise moderately require more (2 to 2.15 lbs per day; 908 to 976 grams per day). To put this into perspective, consider your horse consuming 20 lbs of hay with 10% crude protein content - providing 2 lbs of protein per day. This would appear to be sufficient, but the “quality factor” needs to be considered.
Forage protein quality
If your horse gets only one variety of forage, whether fresh pasture grasses, or hay, the protein quality will be low. Adding alfalfa or mixed grasses will definitely improve the protein profile. The more forage variety, the better.
Crude protein is not a measure of quality.[x] It merely tells you how much nitrogen is in the feed. To be of high quality, there needs to be sufficient essential amino acids in the proper proportion so the horse can produce proteins throughout the body.
What protein sources can you consider for topline improvement?
By adding other sources of protein, the amino acids from forages can be better utilized and fewer of them will go to waste.[xi] Some good examples:
SEEDS
LEGUMES
ANIMAL PRODUCTS
OTHER
Other nutrients for muscle mass development
Spirulina. This is a type of blue-green algae. It has been touted as a good food for muscle building, but it is relatively low in lysine and methionine. But when added to the diet that contains other sources of proteins, it can contribute to a healthy amino acid pool. Its main benefit is for immune support, particularly insect-related allergies.
Amino acid supplements. Many preparations offer three of more of the 10 essential amino acids, typically lysine, methionine, and threonine, since these three have been studied the most. The branched chain amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential amino acids that are found in high concentrations within muscle cells.
Vitamin B6. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is required for protein synthesis. Since the microbial population in the hindgut can produce this vitamin, its supplementation is generally not necessary. However, an aging or stressed horse may experience a decline in B vitamins. B6 in particular, increases the gene expression of factors that promote the growth and repair of skeletal muscle.[xxiv] Supplementing B6 to horses hasn’t been studied extensively but providing 30 to 70 mg per day may be beneficial in the short term.[xxv]
Gamma oryzanol. A plant sterol that has an anabolic (building) effect on muscle mass. Found in low concentration in rice bran oil, it is better to choose an extract. It stimulates muscle development in exercised horses.[xxvi] It is not beneficial however, for sedentary animals.
Bottom line
The horse relies on a diet that is sufficient in quality protein to maintain a healthy, strong topline. By feeding several protein sources, you can provide your horse’s body with an ample essential amino acid pool from which body proteins can be produced. Since pasture grasses and hays often do not provide enough amino acid variety, it is worth adding high-protein whole foods to boost the overall value of the diet.
This article originally appeared on Getty Equine Nutrition and is published here with permission.
Find more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.
"To blame a horse for anything is like blaming the night for being dark" ~ Monty Roberts
In this online video series, Monty works with a wild horse called Cinder.
Read more: Monty Roberts - Cinder Part 1: Join Up with a Wild Horse (2:04)
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