At Hestevard, we always strive to select high quality and balanced nutrients that not only meet your horse's needs, but also make a difference to his nutrition and well-being.
In this series, we will take a closer look at a selection of our ingredients, as some of them may be unfamiliar to you and you will certainly have questions about them.
First, we look at micronized sugar beet pulp. Although it has a rather humble origin, we pack a lot of science into this component to make it a very balanced ingredient. That's why we don't just use sugar beet for Biofix-40, we use micronized sugar beet pulp.
When we first look at the ingredients list, sugar is listed as the first ingredient, which made us think that it cannot be healthy for our horse. But let's take a moment and take a closer look to find out what the micronized sugar beet pulp is all about. This is an excellent ingredient and the sugar content is - surprisingly - harmless.
But what is the difference between sugar beet, sugar and micronized sugar beet pulp?
Micronized sugar beet pulp is a feed supplement made from sugar beet. The root vegetable of sugar beet resembles a turnip or swede and is grown in most temperate climates. In the UK, where Hestevard originated, it has traditionally been grown on a huge scale (for example, our marketing manager's grandparents grew sugar beet on their farm in Yorkshire). It is usually used in its natural form to make sugar. In our case, however, we process the pulp to remove the sugar. The resulting powder, called micronized sugar beet pulp, is still sugar beet, but without the sugar content.
Why are micronized sugar beet pulp used in some horse feeds and Hestevard feed supplements such as Biofix-40?
One of the main reasons for adding micronized sugar beet pulp to horse feed is its high fiber content. Fiber is an essential component of horse nutrition, helping to support the digestive system and strengthen the horse's natural defenses against diseases such as colic. This fiber can be used particularly effectively in sugar beet pulp because it is fermentable and helps to promote healthy gut bacteria and enable a slow release of energy.
In addition, micronized sugar beet pulp is also an excellent source of non-structural carbohydrates, an important source of energy especially for horses that work, train or compete a lot.
Micronized Sugar Beet Summary
Micronized sugar beet pulp is an excellent addition to horse feed and nutrition as it is rich in fiber and carbohydrate-rich energy sources. In addition, it contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles in the horse, including calcium, phosphorus and potassium. These can be used as an alternative to other feed ingredients, especially for horses prone to digestive or metabolic problems.
At Hestevard, we used micronized sugar beet pulp as the basis for our Biofix-40: a nutritious mini pellet that supports your horse's hooves. Because it is high in fiber and allows for a slow release of energy, it contains no sugar. This well-chosen base was combined with a maximum concentration of biotin (40 mg per 100 g) and then a balanced mix of other vitamins and minerals was added. We are convinced that we have created a top product - but ultimately you will be the one to tell us whether micronized sugar beet pulp is a good choice as a supplementary feed.
Simply put, micronized sugar beet is sugar beet from which the sugar content has been removed.
We hope that reading this blog has shown you how useful micronized beet pulp is as an ingredient and if you have any concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us via info@hestevard.com.
