{"id":1404,"date":"2023-12-01T00:28:40","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T00:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/?p=1404"},"modified":"2023-12-01T00:28:40","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T00:28:40","slug":"can-foals-eat-beet-pulp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Foal Will Go Crazy For Beet Pulp &#8211; Here&#8217;s Why!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The other day, I caught my little filly Sally red-handed pillaging the beet pulp bag.<\/p>\n<p>Now I always knew beet pulp was good eats for horses, but wasn&#8217;t sure if it was cool for babies too.<\/p>\n<p>So I did some <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/why-do-horses-dig-holes\/\">digging to find out just how much your foal will dig<\/a> the beet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Turns out beet pulp is A-OK for foals,<\/strong> and maybe even their new fave snack!<\/p>\n<p>Keep readin&#8217; to learn what makes <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/how-much-beet-pulp-should-i-feed-my-horse\/\">beet pulp so boss for baby horses and how to feed<\/a> it up right.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-660c843703756\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-660c843703756\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Beet_Pulp_is_Nutritious_as_Heck\" title=\"Beet Pulp is Nutritious as Heck!\">Beet Pulp is Nutritious as Heck!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Fiber_for_Days_Keeps_the_Vet_Away\" title=\"Fiber for Days Keeps the Vet Away\">Fiber for Days Keeps the Vet Away<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Introduce_Beet_Pulp_Gentle-Like\" title=\"Introduce Beet Pulp Gentle-Like\">Introduce Beet Pulp Gentle-Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Other_Beet_Pulp_Tips_and_Tricks\" title=\"Other Beet Pulp Tips and Tricks\">Other Beet Pulp Tips and Tricks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#How_Beet_Pulp_Fights_Colic_Risk\" title=\"How Beet Pulp Fights Colic Risk\">How Beet Pulp Fights Colic Risk<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Managing_Weight_Gain_with_Beet_Pulp\" title=\"Managing Weight Gain with Beet Pulp\">Managing Weight Gain with Beet Pulp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Dental_Benefits_of_Eating_Beet_Pulp\" title=\"Dental Benefits of Eating Beet Pulp\">Dental Benefits of Eating Beet Pulp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Beet_Pulp_Boosts_Hydration\" title=\"Beet Pulp Boosts Hydration\">Beet Pulp Boosts Hydration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Supports_Growth_Plate_Development\" title=\"Supports Growth Plate Development\">Supports Growth Plate Development<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\/#Encourages_Self-Feeding_Skills\" title=\"Encourages Self-Feeding Skills\">Encourages Self-Feeding Skills<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beet_Pulp_is_Nutritious_as_Heck\"><\/span>Beet Pulp is Nutritious as Heck!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1406 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-axw3c73bet2qofng4kg4gmyevq.png\" alt=\"can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\" width=\"1216\" height=\"816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-axw3c73bet2qofng4kg4gmyevq.png 1216w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-axw3c73bet2qofng4kg4gmyevq-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-axw3c73bet2qofng4kg4gmyevq-768x515.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1216px) 100vw, 1216px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp is what&#8217;s left after they squeeze all the sugar outta sugar beets. While it ain&#8217;t the prettiest lookin&#8217; chow, this stuff is packed with vitamins and minerals growing foals need.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp is low in calories so it won&#8217;t make your foal pudgy, but high in fiber to keep things moving downstairs. It&#8217;s also loaded with calcium for strong bones and teeth, magnesium to help muscle and nerve function, phosphorus for energy and building tissue, potassium for electrolyte balance, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but beet pulp contains B vitamins like riboflavin and niacin to support health and growth. It even has a bit of protein to help build and repair both muscle and organ tissue.<\/p>\n<p>With nutrients like these, no wonder my Sally was riskin&#8217; life and limb for that beet pulp bag!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fiber_for_Days_Keeps_the_Vet_Away\"><\/span>Fiber for Days Keeps the Vet Away<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1405 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-hs4rd6dbxcxihoe35uiuyg56rm.png\" alt=\"can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\" width=\"1224\" height=\"824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-hs4rd6dbxcxihoe35uiuyg56rm.png 1224w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-hs4rd6dbxcxihoe35uiuyg56rm-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-hs4rd6dbxcxihoe35uiuyg56rm-768x517.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ve seen how foals are always bucking and kicking &#8211; they never seem to run outta gas in that tiny body! All that zooming around works up quite an appetite and keeps their digestion in overdrive.<\/p>\n<p>The fiber in beet pulp aids little tummies by moving things along at a steady, healthy pace. It bulks up their business so everything passes on through smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike grass hay, beet pulp is a soluble fiber that dissolves more slowly in the gut. This means foals won&#8217;t wolf it down only to have it sit like a rock in their stomach, but it also won&#8217;t shoot through them too fast.<\/p>\n<p>The soluble fiber helps create those smooth, soft manure piles we all love to see. Fiber keeps foals regular without stressing their sensitive systems &#8211; talk about a win-win if I ever saw one!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduce_Beet_Pulp_Gentle-Like\"><\/span>Introduce Beet Pulp Gentle-Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While beet pulp agrees with foals, any new food needs a gradual introduction. Just like you wouldn&#8217;t feed a baby human an entire pizza as a first meal, go low and slow with beet pulp at first.<\/p>\n<p>Start by mixing a mere half cup into your foal&#8217;s regular chow over the course of a week. Increase it by half a cup each week until they&#8217;re getting about a quarter of their daily intake as beet pulp with rest being their normal feed.<\/p>\n<p>Going slow and steady gives little tummies time to get used to all that fiber goodness. It also lets you keep an eye out for any signs it ain&#8217;t sitting right, which is super unlikely but worth checking.<\/p>\n<p>And always keep fresh grass hay available for extra cushion &#8211; fiber on fiber keeps things shipshape down belowdeck, if you know what I mean!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Beet_Pulp_Tips_and_Tricks\"><\/span>Other Beet Pulp Tips and Tricks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1407 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-3q64iadb7h6txunorw2wnyoxam.png\" alt=\"can-foals-eat-beet-pulp\" width=\"1232\" height=\"832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-3q64iadb7h6txunorw2wnyoxam.png 1232w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-3q64iadb7h6txunorw2wnyoxam-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/replicate-prediction-3q64iadb7h6txunorw2wnyoxam-768x519.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1232px) 100vw, 1232px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a few more tips that&#8217;ll help you and your foal love life with beet pulp:<\/p>\n<p>Soak beet pulp for at least ten minutes before serving &#8211; this softens it up for tiny mouths that haven&#8217;t grown their big boy teeth yet.<\/p>\n<p>Stored any leftover soaked beet pulp in an airtight container in the fridge, where it&#8217;ll stay fresh for up to three days.<\/p>\n<p>Look for pelleted beet pulp in addition to the stringy strands &#8211; the mini muffin-shaped pellets are bite-sized and super convenient for foals.<\/p>\n<p>One pound of soaked beet pulp contains about a quart of water, so it counts toward their daily fluid intake too. Bonus hydration!<\/p>\n<p>In summary, I promise your foal will be as obsessed with beet pulp as my Sally girl. It&#8217;s nutritious, supportive digestion, and fiber for days &#8211; a perfect fit for a growing <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/when-do-horses-lose-their-baby-teeth\/\">baby horse<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Give beet pulp a whirl, friend, your foal will thank you for it!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Beet_Pulp_Fights_Colic_Risk\"><\/span>How Beet Pulp Fights Colic Risk<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-carrots-give-horses-colic\/\">Colic is one of the biggest health threats for foals and horses<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Their long, twisting intestine can trap gas and cause painful spasms if things don&#8217;t move through smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>The high fiber in beet pulp helps prevent this by keeping digestion regular.<\/p>\n<p>Soluble fibers like in beet pulp dissolve gradually to prevent hard chunks that could <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-electrolytes-cause-colic-in-horses\/\">cause colic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>They also encourage the growth of good gut bacteria to further support digestion.<\/p>\n<p>Foals who eat enough fiber are less likely to develop impactions and other issues that can <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-too-much-grass-cause-colic-in-horses\/\">cause colic<\/a> pain.<\/p>\n<p>By including beet pulp, you give your foal a natural defense against potentially deadly colic episodes.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Managing_Weight_Gain_with_Beet_Pulp\"><\/span>Managing Weight Gain with Beet Pulp<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While fiber from beet pulp prevents overeating, foals still need careful calorie management.<\/p>\n<p>Their growth patterns demand high-quality fuel but leaving them empty can stall development.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp offers less than one calorie per gram meaning it fills them up without adding major pounds.<\/p>\n<p>You can adjust how much of the daily <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/can-foals-eat-grain\/\">grain ration to replace with beet pulp depending on your foal&#8217;s<\/a> individual needs.<\/p>\n<p>Working with your vet and body condition scores helps determine the right amount for healthy weight gain without excess.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp ensures fullness without overconsumption of higher calorie feeds that could cause obesity issues.<\/p>\n<p>Paired with exercise and good pasture access, beet pulp makes an ideal part of your growing foal&#8217;s balanced diet.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dental_Benefits_of_Eating_Beet_Pulp\"><\/span>Dental Benefits of Eating Beet Pulp<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Did you know what foals eat affects how their adult teeth erupt?<\/p>\n<p>Crunchy, fibrous feeds like beet pulp encourage natural jaw, lips and tooth development.<\/p>\n<p>Chewing stimulates blood flow and nutrients to growing facial structures and erupting teeth.<\/p>\n<p>The fibrous beet pulp cleans teeth as they chew and helps scrape away plaque and tartar.<\/p>\n<p>This reduces future dental issues as an adult that result from improper eruption as a foal.<\/p>\n<p>Adult horses who ate enough fiber as youngsters tend to need less floating and other dental work.<\/p>\n<p>Adding beet pulp fosters healthy teeth from the very start in a very natural way.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beet_Pulp_Boosts_Hydration\"><\/span>Beet Pulp Boosts Hydration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We all know how important water is for foals, but getting them to drink enough can be tricky.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp soaks up huge amounts of water as it digests, about a quart per pound to be exact.<\/p>\n<p>This hydrates foals from the inside out without them realizing it&#8217;s &#8220;water.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The high water content also keeps beet pulp soft even after sitting out for a while.<\/p>\n<p>Foals nursing mares may not drink much extra but weaned babies consuming only grain and hay can benefit from beet pulp&#8217;s hydration.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s an easy way to ensure proper hydration especially on hot days when water intake matters most.<\/p>\n<p>Your foal basically gets their fluid while enjoying a yummy high-fiber treat too!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supports_Growth_Plate_Development\"><\/span>Supports Growth Plate Development<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Calcium, phosphorus and other key minerals in beet pulp aid growing foals in another important way.<\/p>\n<p>These nutrients help form new cartilage and bone cells as growth plates in legs fuse during development.<\/p>\n<p>Growth plates are the areas of cartilage near joints that facilitate lengthening of long bones.<\/p>\n<p>Proper mineral balance supports optimal growth plate fusion which sets foals up for lifetime soundness.<\/p>\n<p>Supplementing a moderate forage diet with beet pulp&#8217;s minerals assist bones reaching full genetic potential.<\/p>\n<p>This reduces orthopedic issues as an adult from uneven growth stresses informative years.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp mineral package nurtures structural growth from the ground up!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Encourages_Self-Feeding_Skills\"><\/span>Encourages Self-Feeding Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Learning to <a href=\"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/should-i-add-salt-to-my-horses-feed\/\">feed independently is another important milestone for baby horses<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Offering beet pulp, a yummy, easy-to-eat treat fosters this natural progression.<\/p>\n<p>Its enticing aroma and soft texture motivates foals to nibble on their own.<\/p>\n<p>I like to scatter a flake of hay with beet pulp mixed throughout to challenge their foraging instincts.<\/p>\n<p>This low-pressure exposure helps them understand where food comes from without handouts.<\/p>\n<p>It builds confidence for future weaning without excess weight gain from corn or grains.<\/p>\n<p>Beet pulp empowers foals to self-feed earlier like nature intended.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The other day, I caught my little filly Sally red-handed pillaging the beet pulp bag. Now I always knew beet pulp was good eats for horses, but wasn&#8217;t sure if it was cool for babies too. So I did some digging to find out just how much your foal will dig the beet. Turns out [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1405,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1404"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1419,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404\/revisions\/1419"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}