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  Discussion on Loose DrOppings and Beet Pulp
Author Message
New Member:
January

Posted on Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 - 7:46 am:

Hi, I have read the overview article and also many posts about the use of sugar beet for horses with chronic low-grade diarrhea with great interest. When my horse first started with his problem I consulted a number of equine nutritionists and they all told me the following:
1. I should avoid grazing my horse on a "lawn" (i.e. very short new grass) as the fibre it contains is hemi-cellulose and the lignin content (which is what is required to keep the horse's digestion healthy) does not form until the grass starts to grow more stalk.
2. I should never feed sugar beet because the fibre it contains is of a hemi-cellulose nature - i.e. it would be as bad for my horse as fresh new grass.
If the advice I have been given is correct I am confused as to why so many people seem to find the use of beet pulp helpful with this sort of problem - can anyone but an end to my confusion? Also, I note that it is suggested that beet pulp can be fed unsoaked - isn't this risky? and if fed in this way is the apparent reduction in symptoms just down to the beet pulp holding the water rather than the horse's bowel correctly absorbing the water? Please help! January
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 - 11:07 am:

Hello January,
Before we begin, you should note beet pulp is symptomatic therapy and not suggested as primary therapy for diarrheas of infectious / inflammatory origin.

"I should never" they say? This implies they understand all the reasons a horse gets diarrhea. They should know better and I can think of many scenarios as to how it might work, but none have been tested. Its efficacy and safety is a frequently observed fact. If the horse is not getting enough roughage in the diet that certainly should be corrected but using their reasoning horses on largely beet pulp diets for other conditions should have loose stools and they don't.

If it is as you suggest that the undigested beet pulp is holding water (and I don't think this is the reason), "so what?". At least you have a clean tail and easier to clean stalls. I have 2 horses in the practice that when on beet pulp have much improved stools but when off they look like cow patties. I also have seen horses that do not respond to it.
DrO
New Member:
January

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2006 - 2:23 pm:

Thanks for the advice Dr O. Typically, what sort of weight or volume of beet pulp (dry or wet) would I need to feed a 550 kg horse per day to get symptomatic relief?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 29, 2006 - 9:54 am:

The Overview on Diarrhea article gives dosages January but there is more on feeding beet pulp at, Care for Horses » Nutrition » Forages for Horses, an Overview. Remember to make any changes slowly.
DrO
New Member:
January

Posted on Saturday, Apr 29, 2006 - 3:03 pm:

Thanks again - in the overview article when it says 5lbs per 1000 lbs bwt can I just confirm that that means dry weight (not after the pulp has been soaked) - sorry if this is a stupid question. Best Regards January
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 - 9:29 am:

Dry weight, when you think about it you could add any amount of water leading to an indeterminate amount of beet pulp.
DrO
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