Shredded beet pulp is a byproduct of beet sugar production. After the sugar is extracted, the pulp is what remains. This forage is available at most feed stores and comes in either shredded or pelleted form. It is typically fed soaked.

Beet pulp is sometimes used as a hay stretcher when hay is in short supply. It is commonly fed to hard keepers to increase the caloric energy provided by their diet. It also supports digestive health by providing prebiotic fibre that is fermented by microbes in the hindgut.

Horses with HYPP are often fed beet pulp because it is lower in potassium compared to grass hays. It is also high in calcium, which may be beneficial for horses with ulcers.

Beet pulp is also easier to chew for horses with dental issues and its low sugar content makes it appropriate for horses with Insulin Resistance or Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

Researchers have found it can be used to safely replace up to 55% of a horse’s forage intake. However, beet pulp is more commonly fed at a rate of 1 – 1.5 KG (2 – 3 LB). It can also be fed in smaller quantities as a carrier for other supplements and premixes.