The energy density in a performance horse's diet traditionally has been increased by adding grains such as oats, barley, or corn. However, most of the energy in grain is in the form of starch, and it is now recognized that excessive consumption of starch by horses can increase the risk of digestive upsets (e.g., colic) and some forms of exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying-up). This knowledge has spurred efforts to find alternative energy sources to reduce the starch content of the diet without compromising athletic performance or proper body condition. Of course, fat (vegetable oil) is one such alternative energy source that is now a very fashionable ingredient in horse feeds.

Another popular ingredient is sugar beet pulp, a by-product of the sugar beet industry. Depending on whom you talk to, beet pulp is either "the best thing since sliced bread" or "nasty stuff" that under no circumstances should be added to horse diets. In part, this discord stems from a lack of understanding about the nutritional merits of beet pulp and how to incorporate this ingredient in a horse's ration.

What Is It?

Beet pulp is the fibrous material remaining after the extraction of simple sugars from sugar beets. This extraction process is very efficient, such that the remaining pulp contains little, if any, sugar. Beet pulp is a very popular ingredient in dairy cow rations; in some areas, it's so popular that not much is available for horse feed