Beet pulp and gas

[DLee]

I posted a while ago on the Cribbing Horses/Colic thread, about my young (cribbing) horse getting mild gassy colics recently. I had him scoped for ulcers and he was clean.

I changed him off the beet pulp based pellet and he has not had an episode since, for about 7 weeks now.

When I was racking my brain and googling for gas colic and causes I did find people who said beet pulp caused their horses issues. So I thought I’d post this thread for someone else who might be looking, so far it appears that is the cause of my two year old’s episodes. I had originally put him on it when I thought he might have ucers and took him off a grain based feed. Nothing else has changed, he does not wear a cribbing collar and is still happily (argh) cribbing, but no bellyaches, which he was getting too often. Knock wood, of course.

ETA None of my other horses had any issues with the feed, just him.

[CrowneDragon]

I have seen the same thing in my gas-prone horse. Anything that is highly fermentable has that effect on him.

[leaf]

Me too. One of my horses has delayed gastric emptying and I do believe the beet pulp was making it worse, much worse.

[hanoverianlover]

Yes, I have also seen beet pulp cause some horses gassy issues,. Horses systems are like a human to the point as one thing may bother me and not bother someone else.

A boarders horse that was in training was started on beet pulp and had many episodes a month with gas colic ( I was up all night ) We kept suggesting it was the beet pulp as he never had it that much before until she started using it. Of course we all have those people who say “Oh no that not it” haha right?!

After the vet came out I think the 10th time haha she finally took the poor horse off and wouldnt you know it, it stopped

Oh joys of boarding

[lovedressage]

I have fed beet pulp to all my horses for 17 years and not had any issues with any of what has been posted here, and I’ve probably had over 30 horses over these years. It’s a great source of fiber and calcium and a good balancer for the phosphorus/calcium imbalance in rice bran, if you feed rice bran for hard keepers. It’s a great source of low sugar energy, beating out many grains which are full of starch. Shredded beet pulp can supplement your horses’ hay rations with high fiber and can replace hay pound for pound, as long as it isn’t over 50% of the diet. It’s a great feed for older horses who may stop being able to eat hay. Many benefits, one of which is getting more water into their diets In the winter when their drinking may slow down considerably. It does not need water added (old wive’s tale that has been debunked many times by veterinarians, google it and you can read about that). Here is a good article regarding all the anecdotal stuff on the internet that is just that, anecdotal, with no science behind it. Just saying that reading good scientific information is the best way to make a plan for our horses and their health. https://equineink.com/2016/01/04/why-does-beet-pulp-have-such-a-bad-rap/

[Postandrails]

I don’t care how many vets tell me it doesn’t need soaking, as far as I’m concerned, feeding it dry is asking for trouble.

Thanks for the update, DLee. I’ve never had a problem with feeding it over many years either, but it is useful info to know.

[JB]

The vast majority of horses have no problem with beet pulp. When I boarded, many of the 16-30 horses got some amount of beet pulp for years without a single issue.

Yes, it does make some horses gassy.

That’s just how it is, there is no - zero, none - feedstuff that agrees with all horses.

[Janet]

@Postandrails

Thanks for the update, DLee. I’ve never had a problem with feeding it over many years either, but it is useful info to know.

The update was almost 6 years ago.

[Postandrails]

I can’t seem to get into the habit of reading dates, lol.

[DLee]

@Janet

The update was almost 6 years ago.

The crazy thing is I forgot all about this post, I’ve been able to really cut his gas colics down but somehow over the years I forgot the beet pulp thing and started feeding him small amounts again and … gas. So glad someone brought this back up!

ETA- wow this was before he had colic surgery at 2 (Epiploic Foramen Entrapment). He also now sadly has to wear a cribbing collar but better than a dead horse. Can’t believe I forgot the beet pulp thing though, this is good, thanks COTH and PostandRails!

[Amorette]

I am relieved to find this here. My barn switched feed to one that is high in beet pulp. Most of the horses are doing ok, but all the TBs who eat a larger quantity are having stomach issues, my horse seems to be reacting the worst. The feed change coincided with him getting a hoof infection, so we were chalking up his resistance to foot pain although he wasn’t off, and he was still acting the same after the hooves were treated and resolved. We thought maybe ulcers, but my horse’s issues seemed slightly different. Doesn’t want to work, pinning ears like crazy, very sensitive to touch toward the back of the saddle flap where your calf would touch, whether touching while in the saddle or on the ground, but also looking despondent and colicky sometimes. Other than that acting totally normal eating fine, gut sounds, pooping fine and some days much happier and willing to work than others. Gastrogard did not seem to help, sucralfate seems to be helping a little. Was thinking hind gut, now possibly gas. Everyone kept saying, “no the beet pulp is good for his gut”. I am now switching him back to his old feed to see if that fixes it. I just have a feeling it is the feed. He must be one of those few who do not do well with beet pulp. He is a cribber also. Maybe there is a correlation.