Rhubarb Pie, The Orbiting Earth and Your Horse ( Moved to community.thehorsesadvocate.com )

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Makes sense. Thanks so much.
A question about beet pulp. Do you mind commenting on why you do not recommend it? It is often recommended for IR or overweight horses. Just curious.
Beet pulp is the byproduct of the sugar beet industry. I see it more as an income source for them and an afterthought with little research done on the horse. This said, a very smart veterinarian said that beet pulp has a low glycemic index and is therefore a good food source.
BUT….
The message I am working on is very simple. It’s NOT the sugar! It is the lectins that are causing the insulin not to function which in turn causes the sugar to be free to do the damage. Lowering the amount of sugar really does help. but removing the cause of the insulin dysfunction is the key for preventing the disease in the first place. This requires a change in our belief system and a shift in view of the problem. For all we know, sugar beets may also have a lectin that is negative to the health of horses. As we all know now, the lectins are concentrated in the outer layers of every plant. Guess what part of the sugar beet the pulp comes from?
Thank you. I remembered you recommending ProAdd Ultimate Supplement in an earlier blog, so I JUST bought 2 bags!
Good move. Keep us updated please.
What protein source do you recommend we use to replace grain?
https://www.thehorsesadvocate.com/chronic-protein-deficiency-in-horses/
https://www.thehorsesadvocate.com/protein-sources-for-horses/
I don’ feed any extra grain. My horses’ are not working hard enough to justify it. I feed Bermuda hay, ( it’s the only grass hay available in my area) & Purina Strategy, Equine Senior, Almetza bermuda pellets, & a local brand of hay cubes, 70% alfalfa, 30% timothy or oat hay. The amounts per horse, per feeding is approximately, 1lb. each of the fortified feeds, & 2 lb.’s of the pellets, & cubes. They get this 3 x’s per day, & hay is always fed first. I make a thick slurry out of the bagged feed mixture. My vet said,” I don’t know what you’re feeding, but they sure look good.” I have to feed a lot of bagged feed because I have a 28 year old (my youngest is 14)TB. mare ( & grey to boot) who has no grinders @ all. I used to feed alfalfa hay, Omelene 200, & Calf Manna, but they were passing whole kernels, in spite of having their teeth checked twice a year, & floated when needed, along w/ vaccinations, routine check-ups , etc. , & my old mare was not thriving. She’ doing great now, all of them,& my vet is amazed @ how well she’s doing now, 3 yrs. ago, we thought she was a gone-er. So yes, one has think outside the box, if one wants to make a difference.( I wasn’t ready to give up on her, until I had exhausted every ave. available, while she still had some life left in her) I worry most about botulism, w/ the bagged feed though.
The horses “look” good because you are covering everything in fat. As a rule, grain is NOT good for horses even if they look good. It is the underlying muscle loss along with the list of illnesses they often have. The BEST example of this is that you see whole corn in the feces. This is NOT from teeth but from hind gut inflammation because the gut microbes are unable to digest the corn.
I repeat – teeth are NOT the reason you see grain in the manure.
Botulism can be found in bagged hay where animals have been baled. In addition, botulism can be a regional issue as in it is more common in certain areas such as Kentucky but is not in New York and Florida.
I accept that grain is not ideal. Even without the preservatives and all the other unnatural chemicals involved in its manufacture, the horse’s digestive system is simply not designed to process it. But what do you do when you don’t have access to lush pasture (and that’s an all-year-round dilemma for me) and the hay is not the best. Don’t get me wrong–I get the best hay available that I can, but it’s nothing to write home about. How can you keep enough weight on your horse, as well as ensure he’s getting all of the nutrients he needs?
Hi Pat. The grain inflames the lining of the gut which prevents the absorption of the proteins consumed. You can add ProAdd Ultimate (prognutrition.com and available from any Nutrena dealer) to get the proteins in. To add energy in a non-inflammatory way feed a pound of CoolStance (stanceequine.com) per day.
Remember that the term “weight” is often misunderstood. We want a healthy horse with weight added with muscle and bone density, not just fat. Yet our eyes only see the fat covering, like the clothes on a person. Take the clothes off to see the “real” body underneath. Take the fat off to see the real lack of muscle on the horse.
Add weight back on correctly by adding protein and regaining the top line. In your case with no pasture and winter around the corner, add Coolstance until spring or early summer, then stop this fat source but keep the protein. I have dozens of horses (especially 25+ years old) I don’t recognize a year later after this protein addition plus grain elimination. It is astounding to see these older horses become so healthy looking.
I find it easy to let go of a lot of my beliefs but hard for some others. As I am always looking for more information, ideas, etc., I have changed a lot from where I was 5, 10 even 20 years ago. But I am still stuck on many things like soybeans and GMOs…partially because of the research on humans. I know horses are not humans but it is still hard to think that some of the issues humans have, horses might have. And GMOs…although I do eat some bad food from time to time that came from GMOs. How does one get past it? I keep looking for answers but there is little to no research…anyway…I understand that I am fighting my belief system here on why I struggle with these two…hoping that one day something will click in how I feel about them and change.
I understand your concern. Are there any reports of damage to horses from soybeans? I have not heard of any. What I DO see are illnesses caused by grain including a chronic loss of protein leading to poor top lines, poor hair coats, poor hooves, poor immune systems and possibly Cushing’s Disease and insulin deficiency.
Relative to this list, I am not afraid of any soy based problems in the horse. But as an alternative, you can get straight whey protein (Platinum Performance) or Tri-Amino (various sources) which contains the 3 limiting amino acids lysing, threonine and methionine.
Please read my thoughts here: https://www.thehorsesadvocate.com/chronic-protein-deficiency-in-horses/
and here: https://www.thehorsesadvocate.com/protein-sources-for-horses/
The bottom line is that if you don’t like soy, there are other options. But there is no option in avoiding that protein deficiency is a problem in horses.
I haven’t heard of any research on soybeans causing problems in horses either. Just have read people’s experiences or opinions. You could be right that no problems will occur. I am sure it wouldn’t hurt to try and see what happens. I do agree that protein deficiency is a problem. And I want to avoid any problems as mine get older. I will look into the whey protein too and then make a decision. Thanks!
Thank YOU for exploring and working hard at being the advocate for your horse.
I believe in you and have put it to practice over the years. Sharing with friends….
Thanks Jenny!! I am grateful.
I always love your novel way of looking at fundamental ideas and challenging others, in a very animated but non aggressive manner, to view the world around you differently too. Talking to you or reading your blogs allows me to see new colors, hear new sounds and think new thoughts … thank you for sharing your fascinating philosophies about horses and life.
The best thing I’ve read this Sunday morning! You always get my brain working and I’m sharing your message with others.
Thanks Sandra!! You’ve made my day.