Feeding Sugar Beet

[S_N]

 

[spotty_pony]

yes - only in winter
unmolassed
not under 3 years old

 

[paintsplat05]

nope we used to feed barley instead in the winter.

 

[hussar]

Yes, because I think it's a valuable addition to a feed in terms of hydration.
Molassed because it doesn't seem to make my horses fizzy the way it affects some others.
No opinion on age.

 

[teapot]

All the RS had/have it (worked there for 3yrs) - great way of giving them slow releasing energy and helps with weight in the winter

 

[Accy]

In winter

 

[amzy]

yes, molassed shreds in winter to bulk out feed and keep weight on. Certainly good for older horses but I don't know about the very young.

 

[Fairynuff]

All of mine get in throughout the year (unmolassed). Its got an exellent calcium content, is rich in fibre and contains between 90 to 120 grams of crude protein per kilo. As mine are all OAps ,it keeps their bones healthy, their intestines working and is great for getting liquids into them when they may have lost the instinct to drink enough water. I wouldnt be without it and Ive always fed it to all age groups with no problems. Mairi.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

No - My horse is sugar intollerant

 

[Maesfen]

Yes, the horses love it and it bulks up feeds too, especially as my lot are not keen on chaff (of any description) very much. Use shreds in the winter but have had a sack of Speedibeet for the summer and would use it again if necessary.

Can't remember the question for 2 - ooops!!

Won't feed it to foals before they are 7+ months old, their guts aren't developed enough for it so I've been told by one of the best stud managers in the country, so I'm not going to argue with him or create problems for myself just to prove him (and others) wrong; not worth it in my opinion, I can wait a few more months before it is safe for them to eat it!

 

[Malibu]

spedi-beeat, becuase it is quick works for my horses, not making them fizzy etc and can give it to them warm in winter

 

[Evadiva1514]

I feed Speedi beet in the autumn/winter months for my horses.

 

[S_N]

[ QUOTE ]
Won't feed it to foals before they are 7+ months old, their guts aren't developed enough for it so I've been told by one of the best stud managers in the country, so I'm not going to argue with him or create problems for myself just to prove him (and others) wrong; not worth it in my opinion, I can wait a few more months before it is safe for them to eat it!

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL - same! Even thoguh the calcium levels are the right way round for developing bones, it can really interfere with their hindgutt microflora at a young age!

 

[RachelB]

I don't feed it - only because I've never bothered to find out why you would! If I did some research and discovered feeding beet would help my horse, then I probably would.

 

[horsegirl]

I feed speedi beet to get/keep some weight on my TB. I only use the speedi beet rather than pellets as it is more convenient.

 

[H's mum]

Don't feed Sugar Beet - it really upsets H - makes her whizzy - I was also told by my vet that it causes more problems than it helps - so that double made sure that I didn't feed it!
Kate x

 

[_jetset_]

Feed Alfa Beet by Dengie... good for condition etc but not got the sugar in. Also, it does the same as the Alfa A for the hind gut.

 

[Nari]

I don't feed it because although my older one loves it even the unmollassed type seems to upset his stomach - he ends up with very loose droppings when given even small amounts.

 

[seabiscuit]

No I dont feed it- gave F the runs,and Owen never liked it- I used to only give him a handfull and he used to pick at it. Then I had Sara Coppin do a reading for Owen...and she said 'he hates the black stuff you feed him, he doesnt need it'! so I stopped feeding him, and he now LOVEs his food, he picked at it before.
So have had consistently bad results with sugar beet, think it is useless, wont touch it again.

 

[Skhosu]

No-not safe in a yard with 17, 15 and 8 as the ages. Would rather not risk anything

 

[buffy2]

I feed speedi beet ,will start to feed it in oct to my old mare cant chew hay ,she has it with high fibre cubes has a haynet alternitive sp.

 

[Salcey]

Only in the winter months to keep weight on

 

[sleepingdragon10]

[ QUOTE ]
No-not safe in a yard with 17, 15 and 8 as the ages. Would rather not risk anything

[/ QUOTE ]

Not safe

Why?

Just curious

 

[siennamiller]

neither of my horses seem to like it

 

[Doreys_Mum]

no I don't, I have used speedibeet in order to put condition on underweight and neglected cobs quickly, but you know when they're full cos they turn grouchy.

I'd never ever use it normally - I don't like having grouchy horses just to be able to say that they eat more than just chaff...

 

[Fairynuff]

Just tagging on Dorey!
All those who have said"NO"to SB, please explain why you wont feed it? Those who have stated that their horses dont like it dont need to respond. Come on the rest of you, why dont you agree with it? Sugar beet has been around for a very long time and apart from the occasional horse who doesnt tolerate it, its a very useful feed and cheap. What do you think its going to do to your horse? If someone told you that Cornflakes were bad for your toenails, would you stop eating them? All those of you who have said "NO" for no good reason are denying their horses an excellent source of calcium, fibre and slow releasing energy(plus your probably paying a fortune for a supplement which does the same but is overpriced) Cant get my head round it-Mairi.

 

[Tia]

I feed sugar beet in the winter to all of my guys of varying ages. It is an excellent "warmer" and all the horses here like it.

 

[Nari]

Mairi if you look at the replies it seems that most of the "nos" have given a reason & mos of them are based on their horses reaction when they have fed it. I don't dispute that it's a good & cheap feed but as I said before it doesn't suit my ridden lad & I'm damned if I'm buying & storing seperate feed for the youngster when he does fine on a smaller amount of the same feed.

 

[burtie]

No I don't feed it. Would do if needed to help with condition, but haven't had a horse that's needed it for a long time. I feed virtually no hard feed anyway. We get reasonably good quality haylage in with the livery so I feed that pretty much ad lib. Along with 2 small snacks a day.

 

[riotgirl]

I feed my girl speedibeet as I find it makes her feel full and stops her gorging on grass so much.