A recent opinion piece circulating online has raised alarm over beet pulp, yet again, suggesting that this long-standing and research-supported equine feed ingredient poses significant mineral, aluminum, and chemical residue risks. While such articles often sound convincing on the surface, the reality—supported by decades of equine nutrition science—is far less dramatic.
Let’s break down the key claims and provide the facts.
1. Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: Context Matters
It’s true that beet pulp contains a relatively high calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio—roughly 10:1. However, looking at that number in isolation is misleading. Horses are not fed beet pulp alone.
At typical feeding rates (1–2 lbs/day for most horses, sometimes up to 5–6 lbs for hard keepers), beet pulp is just a portion of the total diet. When balanced with hay, concentrate feeds, or vitamin-mineral supplements, the overall Ca:P ratio of the total ration remains close to the ideal range of about 2:1.
For example, even 2 lbs of beet pulp in a diet with average grass hay (which tends to have a Ca:P ratio closer to 1.5:1) will not move the total dietary ratio outside of the recommended parameters for mature or growing horses.
Bottom line: The Ca:P ratio of a single feed ingredient means little without considering the entire diet.
2. Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSH) and Bone Health
The article claims excess calcium from beet pulp can cause bone problems such as Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (“Big Head Disease”). This is incorrect.
NSH occurs primarily from unavailable calcium, not from excess calcium.
Additionally, Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) in growing horses is linked to total diet imbalances, rapid growth, and excessive caloric intake—not from a feed ingredient like beet pulp being “too high” in calcium.
3. Aluminum: Numbers Don’t Lie
Another major claim is that “beet pulp contains over 250 ppm aluminum” and that this poses a toxic risk. This claim is highly exaggerated when context is applied.
Research (Schryver et al., 1990) indicates that dietary levels of aluminum above 1,500 ppm in the total diet are where concern begins.
At 250 ppm, beet pulp is far below that threshold—and when fed in small amounts, the total intake is negligible.
Let’s do the math:
-Assume a horse consumes 10 kg (22 lbs) of total dry matter per day.
-The “concerning” threshold = 15,000 mg of Al/day.
-If a horse eats 2 lbs (0.9 kg) of dry beet pulp at 250 ppm = ~114 mg of aluminum/day.
-That’s 1.5% of the level of concern. Whoopity Doo Dah!
A more recent controlled study, Effect of an Aluminum Supplement on Nutrient Digestibility and Mineral Metabolism in Thoroughbred Horses (2001), found no adverse effects on nutrient absorption or health, even with supplemental aluminum far above levels naturally found in feeds.
Furthermore, beet pulp is not unique—many forages and soils contribute more aluminum to a horse’s diet than beet pulp ever could.
4. Glyphosate and “Chemical Residues”: Sorting Fact from Fear
The article also alleges that glyphosate (Roundup) residues in GMO sugar beet pulp are harmful to horses. Here’s what the science shows:
-Sugar beet farmers are not repeatedly spraying glyphosate throughout the growing season. Glyphosate may be used early on for weed control or as a desiccant pre-harvest—but not on the pulp itself.
-Beet pulp is produced after extensive washing, soaking, and extraction during sugar processing. Glyphosate is water-soluble, and virtually all residues are removed during processing.
-A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Pesticide Science found residues in beet roots below 0.2 ppm prior to harvest, and even lower in the pulp fraction.
-The EPA’s tolerance limit for glyphosate residue in sugar beets is 0.0025% (25 ppm)—far higher than what’s actually detected.
-Even “organic” products contain trace levels of pesticide residues from environmental exposure. Safety data for glyphosate are more comprehensive than for many “natural” pesticide alternatives.
Conclusion: Glyphosate residues in beet pulp are well below any level of toxicological concern for horses.
5. The Role of Beet Pulp in Equine Nutrition
Beet pulp is not perfect—but no single feed ingredient is. When used appropriately, beet pulp offers several well-established benefits:
-Highly digestible fiber source that supports gut health and hindgut fermentation
-Low starch and sugar, making it suitable for metabolic horses
-Excellent carrier for supplements or for soaking to increase water intake
-Highly palatable and well-accepted by most horses
While beet pulp shouldn’t be the only source of fiber in a diet, it remains an excellent ingredient in a balanced feeding program.
6. The Bigger Picture
Beet pulp has been safely used for decades and continues to be supported by equine nutritionists, veterinarians, and peer-reviewed research. The claims in the opinion article conflate chemistry, misrepresent ratios, and lack context regarding the total diet.
Feeding horses is about balance, not fear.
Before eliminating a proven feed ingredient, it’s wise to evaluate the whole diet and rely on peer-reviewed evidence—not selective interpretation.
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