Beet Pulp: Three's Charm

[Joane Pappas White <Lyoness@Castlenet.com>]

Hi Terry,

Most of my livestock does not like beet pulp when it is first offered to
them.  I think it is an acquired taste.  I still have a few critters
that won't eat it, but for the most part, I find that I have to get it
into their mouths about three times before they decide they like it.

I will usually add a little of their favorite grain and a few other odds
and ends when I'm giving it to a new animal.  Watch the salt--may not be
the right thing at first.  

I have found that if I can get all my young critters started on beet
pulp, then I can always get their medicine, herbs and suppliments down
them without a fight.  I teach the newborns, of all species, to lick the
beet pulp off my fingers, particularly if they are weak and I have to
teach them a sucking response.  Believe me beet pulp has saved a lot of
calves and lambs whose mothers were short on milk in the first days.

Once they get used to the taste, you can feed it without the goodies
added.  

The high point of my Beet pulp experiences occurred when I was
handfeeding a group of my youngsters. A huge black tongue zapped out and
took the entire handful.  I turned and found myself eye to eye with
Grandpa's Brahma Bull "Blue" who had come over the fence to investigate
the smell and who would normally have "eaten me for lunch". He stood
there and ate the entire bucket of Beet pulp out of my hand just like
the calves and was stilling licking the bucket as I made my exit.

Keep working with your horse.  Put the pulp on your fingers and rub it
on his gums.  

Joane and the Herd
Price, Utah
Lyoness@Castlenet.com