Unmollassed beet for energy?

[sultana]

I am not prepared to feed my horse starch and would like her to have a bit more 'zing' without silliness - she currently is fed (when in her stable) ad lib hay and fast fibre along with a vit/mineral supplement.
would unmollassed sugar beet be a good way of helping with energy without feeding starch? She is not overweight at all.

 

[Al Capony]

I've fed it for a while and haven't really found it to give my horses any more energy than they usually have. For us it's just another fiber source and the horses love it so it's easy to get them to eat powdered supplements with it. Perhaps some alfalfa would give her a little boost? My gelding is similar, he's almost too quiet so I added 2lbs oats to his daily ration and it has boosted him just enough, but of course those have some starch.

 

[JillA]

For energy you need carbohydrates - sugars or starch. Is he unable to metabolise starch?

 

[sultana]

yes she 'could' have starch but I thought it was bad for them.... best to have fibre?

 

[FfionWinnie]

My horse cannot eat sugar or starch. She has speedibeet for energy. I definitely think it puts them on their toes. Had plenty of horses who couldn't tolerate it (or rather I couldn't tolerate their behaviour while on it!lol)