Beet Pulp

[Becky]

Perhaps I'm a simple, unenlightened horse owner, but isn't the purpose of feeding shredded beet pulp (SOAKED) is to keep the horse hydrated?

That's one of the many reasons to feed it! Here, I use it for an additional forage source as well as weight control (up or down) and I feed it dry.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

I have always brought mine into the house and soaked it overnight, our bags also say to soak it. In winter it is fed like a warm mash, complete with apples and carrots, since I manage a HUGE produce farm, which ship nationwide, I have access to all the goodies for my horses. Cindy, I really would like to know HOW you manage to feed your horses in individual buckets like that?....mine would all go to the first one with food in and just continue on, by the time I had grain in the last one..the first one would be empty, and that horse would be going to the next bucket.. one reason why most of mine come into the barn for graining, so I know who is getting what. Corinne

 

[DunPainted]

Simple, Meadowridge!

After observing how the horses go from one bucket to another, thinking that the next one has better "stuff" AND having 3 more buckets than horses, I figure they all get their fill. I LIKE KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE.....and they all settle in within a few minutes because it's ROUTINE (9am and 3pm).

As for my weanling colts, I bring them in once a day to have some grain (extra nutrients) where they can eat at their leisure and get some fussin over time!

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

Cindy, I still cant see it working that way here. Mine are all fed on a regular schedule too, but when it comes to feeding time..they all want to be fed at the same time! Glad it working for you! Mine will all meet me at the barn door , come into the barn in a nice and orderly file, each will go into a stall and wait till the grain bucket is filled, eat at there own time, go back out and be content to nibble on hay the rest of the day, when I feed outside its a whole different story, but it sure would make things alot easier. My chores take me a good 3 hours every morning, but that includes cleaning stalls and picking pastures.

 

[Tobey]

Cindy, I love how all those minis stay there and eat!! I only feed two at a time and have to stand there to make sure one doesn't eat the other one's feed. I feed them far apart too. I have one gal that doesn't stand still at all, even when she's by herself. Anyway yours look great!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I feed mine in pig troughs. There is a small amount of walking around and face making but I can get three horses easily to each trough, so I put out one more trough than there are multiples of three and everyone gets fair shares!!!

I also think they are well suited to their choice of feed tubs!!

 

[PinkStalkings]

Never heard of anyone feeding dry beet pulp before. Thats very interesting.

I've been recommended by vets several times that the choking risk is too high because of the expansion of the beet pulp when it meets with moisture.

Curious. Time to read up on it.

 

[Viki]

Love the pic of horses along the fence! Too cool!

I feed it soaked, always. I like the added water intake that way. For the same reasons already stated. In winter, they all seem to want to drink less. This gets that needed water in them, along with many benefits of the actual bp!

Viki

 

[DunPainted]

Cindy, I love how all those minis stay there and eat!!  I only feed two at a time and have to stand there to make sure one doesn't eat the other one's feed.  I feed them far apart too.  I have one gal that doesn't stand still at all, even when she's by herself.  Anyway yours look great!

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Thanks, Tobey!

I learned this method from visiting my mini mentor, Donna Herold (Qtr Raes), when visiting her darling farm. With 30 horses, separated into age groups: mares, yearlings and weanlings, it was the most fantastic sight to see eager her little critters anxiously awaiting their treat! Oh, they do the "ring around the rosey" thing, but they settle down within a minute.

Because my husband travels 80% of the time and we have 14 minis and 3 big horses, time management is essential. It's so much fun watching them dig into their buckets and listening to the lovely slurping sounds. I'm thankful to have two opportunities that highlight the beginning and end of my day!

Patsy the llama has a special hiding place that only we know, where she can eat her fill in peace! Life's good!

Cindy

 

[luvmycritters]

Well no fancy set up here - a grain tub for every horse is about it, but then I only have five. ( It is just adorable how Corinne's - Meadowridge Farm, come in single file in to the barn - you would have to see it to believe it! )

Anyhoo, my two mini mares have their own paddock, the mini stallion, gelded mini donk and Shadow the horse all share a paddock. Every one comes running when they see momma comming with the grain bucket!

They may stay put for a short time - but then some one always seems to relise that - hey - there is more goodies over there! And the switcharoo starts...

 

[qtrrae]

I also feed my beet pulp wet and sloppy! Guess I like the feeling of knowing that my horses are all getting extra liquid in them. They all seem to just love it.

I feed the same way that Cindy (dunpainted) does. My feeders are all along the fence line with several extra feeders. I just go down the line and put in a good 2-3 cups in each bucket, it doesn't take long for every one to get their spot and soon they are all happily "slurping" their beet pulp.

I had never even heard of using beet pulp until I saw it on the LB Forum, (thanks to Robin C) now I can't imagine not using it. It is certainly reasonably priced and the healthy benefits certainly outweigh the amount of work it takes to get it ready.

One thing I have noticed is that horses that are fed beet pulp just seem to sparkle, their manes and tails have hi-lights in them and their coats are soft, silky and shiny!!