Ask the Vet - Beet Pulp, Cranky Mares, Sand Colic, and More! - February 2017

You asked, we answered! In this episode of our monthly series, Ask the Vet, Dr. Lydia Gray and SmartPaker Sarah answer your questions about the difference between founder and laminitis, beet pulp as a hay replacement, supplements for cranky mares, sand colic, cross-country moves with a horse, and more.
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Questions answered in this episode:
1. What is the difference between founder and laminitis?
2. During the winter, it is hard to find hay for sale in my area, so I feed my 12-year old mare beet pulp. I have read that beet pulp lacks in nutrition and vitamins. Is there a better alternative for beet pulp or some sort of supplement I could be feeding her in addition to beet pulp?
3. Tips or favorite supplements for when mares are cranky and on their cycle?
4. How can sand colic be avoided in the months with less rain for fresh grass?
5. My dad is going to retire from the military probably in March next year, and for us that means we have to haul my horse from North Carolina to Texas where we plan to keep him at my grandparent's house. Are there any vaccinations and tests I need to have for him before we go, and what do I need to look out for health-wise when we get there? We've always done cross-country moves before but never with a horse.

[@94FatalAttraction]

Tell me if I'm wrong, but this is my understanding of feeding beet pulp and why I think many people are unintentionally causing harm to their horses. Feeding hay creates a bolus with its long fibres which stimulate the stretch receptors on the stomach to open the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum to continue digestion when the stomach is 2/3 full. The fats in the hay after passed through the pyloric sphincter tell the liver to create enterogastrone which slows the locomotion of the stomach. With beet pulp, the fibers are so small that they don't stimulate the stretch receptors to open the pyloric sphincter. Its normal for water to seep through the closed pyloric sphincter, but beet pulp fibers seep through as well due to their small fibers. This causes the aerobic bacteria in the stomach, which eat sugars, to follow the seeped beet pulp fibres into the duodenum. This would not happen when feeding something like hay. Now these aerobic bacteria are in the hind gut and eating the anaerobic hind gut bacteria as they are stronger. Now you have a hind gut ulcer. Not only that, but because there are not enough fats in beet pulp to stimulate the liver to produce enterogastrone that slows the locomotion of the stomach, you have a fore gut ulcer as well. A way to solve this would be to either feed your horse some hay before you feed beet pulp or add something like flax to it. This is my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong =)

[@smartpak]

You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this! Fortunately, the way the horse’s digestive system works is a little bit different from how you describe, otherwise any horse on complete feed only, no hay at all (such as seniors or horses with respiratory disease) would be at risk. Beet pulp is quite safe for horses and is an excellent source of energy without being high in sugars and starches which is why it’s popular for hard keepers, easy keepers who might suffer from Equine Metabolic Syndrome or insulin resistance, and horses with other conditions. Hope this clears everything up. - Dr. Lydia Gray

[@94FatalAttraction]

Hey =) Can you please explain to me how the digestive system works then? My understanding is also that it takes 2 molecules of water to break down one molecule of beet pulp which causes horses to intake more water giving them a good full appearance but it is actually 'water weight'. Am I wrong? If so, please back up your answer with evidence so I can know for next time! Thanks =)

[@smartpak]

Inquiring minds want to know! You probably aren’t alone in wondering how the digestive system of the horse works, so we would encourage you and anyone else with a desire to learn more about the equine GI system to check out articles like this at TheHorse.com: www.thehorse.com/articles/17023/the-equine-digestive-system-a-food-factory In addition to pictures, videos, and descriptions of horse alimentary anatomy and physiology, you can also find detailed information about hays, grains, and other feedstuffs, all written and reviewed by experts. Happy reading! - Dr. Lydia Gray

[@katethegreat7521]

thank you so much for the answer! ive been trying so hard to prevent peppermint from ingesting too much dirt.

[@smartpak]

You're welcome, Kate the Great! If you email us at [e-mail] and let us know your question was answered, we can get your gift card code out to you ASAP! - SmartPaker Nels

[@chrisclarke754]

My boss had me feed his horses dry beet pulp one day (I normally fed it wet) one of his horses choked and we had to call the vet out. I had never fed dry beet pulp before or since and I'd never had the problem before or since

[@bluevioletXV1]

Can you replace grain for beet pulp? would you feed both? Or even generally, do you need to feed your horse a beet pulp or grain product? #askthevetvideos

[@galloponforlifehowrs]

My horse constantly gets thrush, I put no thrush on after every ride or before he goes outside. He only goes outside for 6 hours a day

[@JulietteJeantyPressler]

#askthevetvideo My horse is stabled year round in an end-stall in our barn, next to the doors, which always makes his stall colder than the rest during the winter. The barn is also made out of a lot of concrete and brick, which I feel makes it hard for the horses to stay warm during the winter. I also recently gave him a full body clip. We are in Northern California, which is currently experiencing frequent rainstorms, high winds and flooding (with 40-55 degree temps), as well as colder days in between (with 28-45 degree temps on average). Since he is body clipped, and in a more vulnerable part of the barn to the cold and the rain, I've been keeping him blanketed pretty much all of the time, ranging from a Back on Track sheet during the warmer parts of the day, to a 150g SmartBlue blanket with the BOT sheet underneath during the cold nights. Do you have any thoughts on whether I might be under or over blanketing him? Are there any ways that I can truly tell if he is too warm or too cold? When I feel the skin on his neck he is always cold, but underneath for example the two layered blankets he's always nicely warm.

[@tigerlily0190]

My ponies are pasture kept. We go on trail rides occasionally, and do some arena work during the week for about 45 min to an hour (sometimes flat work, sometimes jumping, sometimes both). I know how to ride, groom, etc, but no one ever taught me how to feed my ponies as they were kept in a riding facility where that was all taken care of for me. We might be moving to Colorado from Oklahoma where we will have our own acreage. How do I figure out how much I should be feeding my pasture kept ponies (hay and grain)? Do they even NEED grain? Of course there's many variables but any info would help! #askthevetvideo

[@Emily-kp9fr]

I just bought a 4 year old OTTB and he keeps loosing his hind shoes he is in the field 24/7 I decided to take them off he has had a week off work but he is still soar is there anything I can do to relieve pain/make him ready for work? Should I put shoes back on? #askthevetvideo

[@j.paigedunn1768]

Sarah is hilarious! :)

[@eleanaeckley9705]

#askthevet I just purchased a new off track thoroughbred Hunter and was wondering how much I should feed him and how much? would a maintenance feed be fine? sweet feed? also, do you recommend alfalfa pellets in exchange of baled hay? thanks so much!

[@GolIathLover]

#askthevetvideo What is Navicular disease/syndrome in horses? And what are ways to treat it or make the horse more comfortable?

[@hunterjumperprincess8282]

#askthevetvideo My horse's legs get stocked up when he stands in his stall for long periods of time. What can I do to prevent his legs from getting stocked up?

[@shariwhetton5019]

I also have a 9 to 16 year old QHDUN and I do have his teeth floated yearly but he is looking like he is getting a big God. I want to add beet pulp and Timothy palette soaked together but how do you feed two horses the right amount of hay along with Timothy pellet and beet pulp? And at the same time trying to keep them healthy and lean.? This is also in reference to the question. I asked about the three year old mustang.

[@rubyl1090]

My 12 yr old OTTB mare has melanomas. She gets a vaccine for them but I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to help them from spreading or getting bigger? #askthevetvideos

[@tomcooley3778]

What about the high sugar content? Would you feed beat pulp to a old horse with Cushings ?

[@KaitlynMegee]

Do whips/crops actually harm a horse when used properly? I know people who do these "pain tests" always hit super hard. Does "starfishing" in barrel racing actually harm a horse and what damage can it do? How would you design a conditioning plan for a horse coming out of winter who was ridden regularly and isn't very overweight? #askthevetvideo Is asking more than 1 allowed? HAHA

[@morganpeck6976]

#askthevetvideo what is the best way to help a lame horse? Also what is the best feed to give them?

[@mattm732]

#askthevetvideo. What is the best way to prepare a horse for travel in a horse trailer longer than 2 hours? One of my horses tend to not eat hay and when we arrive at show doesn't want to drink much water so I usually will wet his hay down.

[@suemcfarlane4199]

matt milito good idea to wet down his hay as the biggest danger with traveling is respiratory problems so removing the dust from his hay is a good idea try floating pieces of apple in his water because even if he just eats the apple he will get some water into his mouth and that may encourage him to drink bring water from home may help

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Feeding Salyut husks is a easy preventative for sand colic

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Metamucil is phsylium husks and if you have ever tried that for your self you will realise why your horse doesn’t want it

[@mayac218]

I was watching a vet show on tv that follows an "old school" vet. There was a horse that stopped eating so he did all these tests, couldn't find out what was wrong. Checked the teeth, did x rays, etc. Nothing. Last resort was to shove a tube down his throat... he hit a blockage. He asked what they were feeding and the owner mentioned the ingredients in the feed, also saying best pulp. The vet said that was the problem because as he was swallowing, it sucks up all the moisture and got stuck in his throat. He ended up flushing water down the throats and shoving it down with the tube. Can beer pulp actually cause this or was he saying this based on the old wives tale you mentioned in this video? #askthevetvideo

[@rurui77]

What does behind the verticle mean in the horse world

[@josejimenez9043]

Hi I have a 2 year old horse is it safe to feet shredded beet pulp?

[@waltthon505]

If I stop equioxx, how long to wait before giving Bute?

[@kamrynbarth9926]

My friends say that I should keep the top doors on my trailer shut but my horse freaks out every time I do so what should I do 🙂

[@dibade1961]

What are your views on shoes and bits? As opposed to barefoot and bitless? #askthevetvideos

[@VamosFalardeHipismo]

#Askthevet Is it possible to make beet pulp at home? If so, how to do it?

[@JessicaStinson-og1rq]

Every single thing I’ve seen about beet pulp says you have to soak it at least two hours and it cannot make the snap crackle pop sound when you are done. Also, I don’t think nutritionally you can only feed your horse beet pulp from everything I’ve heard. Also, how hard is it to get hay replacer pellets, where this lady lives, they come in all sorts of different combos. I know it’s hard but it might be a good idea to make a budget and plan ahead to buy. Hey, it is hard for us, but we are do our best to do that. It is not that hard for us to find here it just goes up a little in the winter, and even seen one video, I have seen a few that say the beet pulp really isn’t even good for your horse and sometimes they start shutting down and quit eating all together

[@shariwhetton5019]

What is the best way to feed a three year old Mustang that is in a corral to keep her lean and healthy also to help her not associate my visits with food

[@n0tfr0mth1sw0rld]

2:45 first question starts.

[@linsmitt]

Please help: #askthevetvideo or other SmartPak employees After recently loosing a horse in a riding accident (the superficial and the deep flexor tendon split from the knee going down) I have gotten pretty nervous about my new horse getting a injured. However, we do love to ride cross country. In our area there are few paths, so often we go offpiste riding in old forest. The ground is rocky and we often cross loads of stones and old logs. My new horse (Knabstruper) has a thin coat, and easily gets small wounds. I want to protect both tendons and skin. ?? What are the best way to protect the legs, during cross country rides ?? I love your videos, and Im a huge fan! Please keep them coming!!!

[@drymountainmustangs]

Should I feed beet pulp to my HYPP horse?

[@armoredwings4182]

Thank you for answering me! :)

[@smartpak]

You're very welcome! Thanks for asking! - SmartPaker Nels

[@tigerlily0190]

Thanks for asking it!! I had the same question! We might be moving from Oklahoma to Colorado. Not as far, but my horses aren't used to traveling and being in trailers so I'm nervous about moving them.

[@armoredwings4182]

tigerlily0190 Good luck with the move! I'm sure you'll have an easier time than I will with it being shorter, just be careful!

[@tigerlily0190]

It's still gonna be at least a 12 hour drive. So thanks again for asking your question :)

[@lisac2766]

what about fresh beets?

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

I heard that beet pulp can cause metabolic issues in animals.

[@aldredge_saxxon]

I enjoy the information sometimes more so you take the long way around the barn. Just get on with it.

[@TheCactus01]

What is PPID?

[@armoredwings4182]

PPID, commonly known as Cushing's disease, is a disease caused by a growth/tumor in the pituitary glad in the brain. This causes the immune system to decrease, cause an insulin resistance, the hair will stop shedding, muscle structure can go down, and they can either gain or lose weight (gaining is more common). It has no cure, but with proper medication a horse can live with it fine. It usually occurs in horses above 21 in age, but younger horses can get it as well. Source: I own a horse with this disease, and he's doing just fine. :)

[@TheCactus01]

Oh yes i know of Cushings, did'nt know the acronym tho. Thank you for the reply!

[@HomsteadingThePioneerWay]

can goats eat shreded beet pulp

[@juliemoore619]

Great info but too chatty.

[@melodeeplath9597]

The dark haired girl was was waaaay to chatty 🤦 The vet was Awesome !

[@MissChievousRN]

Weird, beet pulp makes both my horses HOT!!

[@sarah-orionacres3595]

Does it have added molasses? Just what came to mind. :-)