Q for Beet Pulp Users (a bit long)

[sweaney@lightspeed.net]

I have been feeding beet pulp for approximately 3 months.  I also feed free choice oat hay and a small bit of alfalfa.  I feed five pounds of beet pulp (dry weight) soaked completely with 1 1/2 pounds of grain mixed into it.  At feeding time, I usually toss the oat hay into the feeder first and tuck a small bit of alfalfa into the side. 

 

My mare will start to nibble on the hay, but has her eye on me as I prepare the beet pulp mixture.  As soon as she sees me coming, she quits munching on hay and nickers for her beet pulp.  I've watched her for an entire meal to see in which order she eats her meal.  She usually eats about half of the beet pulp/grain first and then munches on the oat hay.  She'll then eat a bit of the alfalfa and possibly wash it down with a drink of water.  She then returns to the beet pulp and finishes it off.

 

At the next feeding, the beet pulp and the alfalfa are completely gone as are the yummy parts of the oat hay.  There are usually scatters of the stemmiest parts of the oat hay lying around.

 

Here is my dilemma/question:  At the last ride I did (Swanton 100 in August) and on a training ride where we trailered out for the entire day (25 mile ride - last weekend) my mare refused to eat the beet pulp!  She turned her nose at it completely and refused to eat it.  As usual, I had mixed in the grain.  When she refused it, I tossed in a handful of complete advantage to increase the palatability of the beet pulp.  No luck.  The 6 other horses that had ridden with us dug into it like it was candy so I know the beet pulp wasn't bad. 

 

I put the feed pan back into the trailer and took it home.  I left it in the pasture and found that by the next morning it was all gone.  I have a heard a few other folks say that their horses won't eat beet pulp at rides either.  Does anyone have a suggestion?

 

Thanks in advance,

Karen Sweaney

Bakersfield, CA