Rolling Acres Stables

Friday focus….sugar beets!

Sugar beets are not just for winter!! They are fabulous to use all year round and at this time of the year can provide some extra hydration for your horse. Beets such as Speedi-beet and Fibre-beet are comparable in digestible energy to conditioning feeds and cereals but they are much lower in starch!

I am a huge fan of sugar beets and often use them or recommend them in place of conditioning feeds and cereals as they are highly digestible, low in starch and sugar (the unmolassed ones) and are easy on the digestive system. They really are a ‘super fibre’!

They are also great for bulking out the rations of good doers whilst adding negligible calories to the total diet and the unmolassed versions are safe to feed to laminitics! For example, a 300g (dry weight) serving each day to a 500kg horse, will only add a tiny amount of calories, but will bulk out their feeds nicely.

The sugar and starch levels are much lower than you would generally find in a conditioning mix or cube and cereals, so they are a perfect replacement for these. They also help to keep horses hydrated!

They are a healthier, higher fibre alternative to cereals and they can be fed in large amounts for energy and condition; they are typically underfed, so most do not get the full benefit of them. To be ‘conditioning’ they need need to be fed in larger amounts. The unmolassed versions are also great as partial hay replacers for those with compromised dental function, so beets are a truly versatile feed!

Everyone has to say hi to Teddy Bear 🐻 when they first come into the barn