Feeding raw beet?

[HarlequinSeren]

My OH thinks that it's ok to feed my horse raw beet. Raw as in fresh out the ground. I know it's ok to feed a horse turnip, and putting one on a string makes a good toy, but is it the same with beet? It's the stuff they make Sugabeet etc out of but in its natural form (big pinky root veg type things, quite ugly-looking to be honest!).
Does anyone know if it's good or bad to feed raw to horses?
HS x

 

[springer1021]

No idea, I hadn't even given in much thought where beet actually comes from.

 

[mulledwhine]

It should be fine, you only have to soak dry beet to re hydrate it.

We have an old beet shreder here on our farm that was used to feed the farm horses.

The main problem I can see for modern horses, is the sugar levels, they mostly do not have the work load to work off excess energy and calories

 

[HarlequinSeren]

Tbh I didn't either, until my OH came home a couple of days ago with a huge grin on his face carrying a sack of these ugly pink root veg things, saying how he'd got treats for my horse! After he explained what they were to me I'm not sure if they're alright to give or not? As I'd guess there's quite a high sugar content.
HS x

 

[HarlequinSeren]

Thanks mulledwine, that's what I thought about the sugar! Maybe give him little bits for a treat then, but not a whole one every day or two as my OH was thinking.
HS x

 

[mulledwhine]

Little bits as treats should be fine!

Ps, hope they did not pinch the SB

 

[Fransurrey]

How about drilling a hole through and hanging it up, lickit style?

 

[dunkley]

Great to hang up, just make sure that it can't be wedged against a wall, or it goes in double quick time! Ours all love a whole beet occasionally.

 

[HarlequinSeren]

Mulledwine, no, we're good friends with the neighbouring farmer and he gave them for our animals the pigs love them!

Fransurrey, I think I'll try that and I'll put it away from the walls Dunkley thanks!

HS x