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Post by katylou on Nov 9, 2010 16:48:45 GMT 1
Hiya all
It's coming up to that time of year when I'm beginning to think about starting the sugar beet soak-a-thon!
I'm not sure but I think I may have heard somewhere that feeding unsoaked beet is not harmful, so could be fed as it comes.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? What are the nutritional differences between soaked and unsoaked? I'm interested as this year, due to the set up at our yard, and Millie wintering out, I make up 5 ziploc bags of feed on the weekend, and feed Millie in her field after work - obviously can't to this with sugar beet as it'd go off!!
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Post by zack&buffysmum on Nov 9, 2010 17:28:36 GMT 1
NOOOOO!!! you never feed sugar beet unsoaked - it will swell up in their stomach and can be fatal.
Thats how I understand it anyway - if anyone else knows differently I'm open to be corrected.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2010 17:47:06 GMT 1
I agree with Zacksmum, it's really dangerous to feed it unsoaked  |
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Post by katylou on Nov 9, 2010 17:53:25 GMT 1
That's what I always thought, the danger if swelling in the stomach could be fatal - I've just goy this nagging memory of some report/article/comment that it was ok! I'll do a bit of digging, and see what I find....
But on the other hand, there is something nice about the sweet gloopyness of soaked beet!!!
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Post by rifruffian on Nov 9, 2010 19:40:56 GMT 1
I'm not denying it could be dangerous, I just don't know, but years ago I made a mistake and fed unsoaked beet to another person's horses (two of them)..........neither horse suffered any ill effects.
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Post by iceberg on Nov 9, 2010 19:44:37 GMT 1
Maybe you were lucky rr, but Ive always been told to never feed it unsoaked. I think sheep can have it dry - although dont quote me on that, but not horses.
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Post by anastasia55555 on Nov 9, 2010 20:28:03 GMT 1
yikes, i wouldnt feed unsoaked sugar beet at risk of choke and/or colic! Have to say personally never heard that it can be fed unsoaked. Just out of interest, why do you want to feed sugar beet too? Just interested, i always did the sugar beet at winter thing, but im considering ditching it after ive used it up, as i havent got running water and will be nightmare if its frozen in winter. Looking to change to molasses free dengie Hifi - got some samples today to try  |
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Post by katylou on Nov 9, 2010 22:02:40 GMT 1
I'll be feeding Millie sugar beet purely because I've got her on loan, and she lives on her owners yard - her owner is far more knowledgeable than me about feeding, but is quite a traditionalist. She has said that through the winter sugar beet really helps to keep the condition on Millie. I know that there are alternatives, and millions of different feed options that would suit at least as well if not more, but I'm happy to go along with Owners feed regime as long as Millie does ok on it. I was wondering about beet just cos it'd be easier - please don't worry everyone, I'm not going to feed her a bucket of unsoaked beet just to see what happens - although I am still interested in finding out a bit more!! I'll keep you all posted....
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Post by julz on Nov 9, 2010 22:20:01 GMT 1
Cows and sheep can eat sugar beet unsoaked but they have two or more stomachs. horses digestive tracts are different and once chewed continues on through the system until it is pooped out. feeding dry beet will just cause the stuff to soak up any juices in the track and basically cause a blockage, then colic, then.... well you get the idea...
if you're worried about making up large amounts only for it to freeze, then invest in a cool box, and make it up in that. It will stay soaked/fresh and wont freeze. It can also be used in the summer (if horse needs beet in the summer) as it will keep it cool and fresh. or do what i have to do, and make some up in the house, and take it in a clic box.... either from hot water or cold.
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Post by jill on Nov 9, 2010 22:45:38 GMT 1
I think I did hear of an article which said that soaking wasn't necessary after all these years of having done it but personally I wouldn't take the risk. It mightn't be too bad with shreds as it doesn't swell as much as pellets, but you might run the risk of choke I would suspect.
In any case it is nice for them to have that much moisture in the feed - if soaking for any length of time is a problem (or the suagr content) maybe use Speedibeet?
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Post by rifruffian on Nov 9, 2010 23:03:03 GMT 1
speedibeet good idea.
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Post by anastasia55555 on Nov 9, 2010 23:51:13 GMT 1
Fair enough |
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Post by katylou on Nov 10, 2010 6:34:58 GMT 1
I've just found this thread on H&H forum - seems like people are reallllllly divided about this! It makes for interesting reading, but still no definitive steer either way! I'm thinking of emailing sone manufacturers/equine nutritionalists and see what comes up. www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=305422&page=4 |
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Post by mandal on Nov 10, 2010 9:18:41 GMT 1
;D Sounds like me and the freshly ground raw linseed saga! ;D I've never fed 'normal' sugar beet ie. unmollassed, what is it like? Does it come un dried? I wouldn't feed it anyway because of the sugars but I do feed speedibeet and I soak it. Mta... after reading this www.shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml I'm wondering if I can source beet over here that hasn't had mollasses added?  Funny isn't it how horses seem to get fed the 'left overs' from other processes! Us owners must be a good target for waste products of the food industry! |
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Post by jill on Nov 10, 2010 19:11:15 GMT 1
As regards the problem of making up 5 bags of feed in advance, I haven't found beep pulp goes off excet in very warm weather. But if you do have to do that and can't feed beep pulp, then replace the fibre (which is mostly what it is anyway) with something like mollichop or the low sugar chops?
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