Sugar beets are a significant part of agriculture in Denmark, especially in Lolland and Falster. The two Danish sugar factories annually receive between 2.3 and 2.5 million tons of sugar beets, but not all of this becomes sugar.

Nevertheless, nothing goes to waste, as the parts of the beets not used for sugar are either recycled in sugar production or sold to biogas plants. Then there are the beet fibers, which are used as horse feed.

Beet fibers are pieces of sugar beets after most of the sugar has been extracted from them. Horses can consume beet fibers in various ways, including in dried form, as pellets, or as an ingredient in other horse feeds.

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Which type of beet fibers are best for your horse can vary based on parameters like age, weight, and activity level.

But what are the benefits of feeding your horse beet fibers? Firstly, they benefit the body in the same way as dietary fibers, as they – like dietary fibers – benefit the bacteria in the horse's intestinal system and help digest the rest of the horse feed.

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Long-lasting satiety

Additionally, beet fibers take about 60 hours to break down, which can give the horse a sense of long-lasting satiety. However, care should be taken when using beet fibers as a slimming aid, especially due to their high calorie content. About 200 kcal per 100 grams of beet fibers actually make them good food for underweight horses. At the same time, they are also a good energy source for performance horses that burn more than the average riding horse. The prolonged digestion process of the beet fibers helps distribute energy in small doses, without raising glucose or insulin levels too much. Beet fibers contain a lot of calcium, while the low protein content can help balance the diet, for example, in horses with kidney problems.

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When it comes to dietary advice, horses and humans are alike in that it can be dangerous to generalize. A varied diet is important, and although some studies show that beet fibers can make up to half of a horse's diet without negative side effects, it needs to be balanced so the horse also gets the nutrients not found in beet fibers. Like humans, horses' dietary needs are individual in many aspects, and the most important element is that you understand your horse and its needs. So, while it is a general truth that beet fibers are a good addition to a horse's diet, it is important to take precautions. Additionally, you should not make drastic changes to your horse's diet without first consulting a professional feed consultant or similar.

Sources:

Kentucky Equine Research and Horse Zone