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[RC] Beet pulp - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: ti Tivers@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I really had to laugh when I read Mr. Ivers' slam of beet pulp. You're right, Ed, there's nothing wrong with the science--but as with all science, one needs to put it into the context of common practice. Endurance horses as a group get so MUCH feed, such good quality feed, and sufficient supplementation that even though what the research says is true, it has little bearing in real-life feedind practices. I do think the problem is of sufficient import to make beet pulp not a good feed for foals, as their requirements are so much higher and they don't tend to have the above-average-per-body-weight intake that adult endurance horses have. While I know some people have intake issues with their endurance horses, I've yet to ride an endurance horse that doesn't consume at least 50% more feed by weight than the averages used for calculating rations--and I've had some that willingly consume twice the average. They don't need any more minerals for maintenance than they would if they only ate the average, so the fact that the beet pulp ties up a little bit is really moot. Heidi I didn't slam beet pulp with the citing of those papers--I responded to a post that belittled a vet for suggesting that beet pulp compromised mineral absorption--when it obviously does. As far as feed intake is concerned, endurance horses still are not eating much, compared to race horses. But when it comes to a race, where people are pumping in those electrolytes, and beet pulp, as the primary tactical nutrients, perhaps it would be wise for someone, somewhere, to take a closer look at the situation before expressing an opinion like that above--which essentially advises ignoring the science and going on with what everybody else is doing. You can laugh all you want, but that kind of "stop thinking and get with the program" advice is damaging. Indeed, despite your opinion, above, you offer no refereed information to support your chuckles. As a licensed veterinarian (at least at one time) you are the profession responsible for bringing science to the horse world. Why don't you do that instead of dismissing it out of hand? Then an intelligent discussion could follow. As it is, you'll get no laughs from me--just the same reaction I'll deliver to anyone spouting unsupported opinion with an authoritative voice. If you'd taken 10 minutes, you could have found a paper that supports your contention--albeit authored by a "scientist" in the feed business. Why not go dig up Pagan's paper on the subject and we can discuss that? Instead, ridicule is your tactic, as it has always been. Unfortunate, because others could benefit from a genuine discussion of the science. The veterinarian who advised to be careful with beet pulp because of its chelating properties was correct, and was true to his professional responsibility. For Susan to ridicule him (or her) was a mistake. I pointed that out, with a few appropriate cites. That's how science is discussed. Your post is a perfect example of how not to discuss science or its application in this sport. Earlier you posted another brief, and somewhat nasty, opinion--that I was right about somethng--neither carries any weight with me because you don't appear to be able to read the stuff yourself--and it's YOU with the credential, and the responsibility, not me. ti ti =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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