How long can I soak shredded beet pulp?

[fbutler]

I am currently switching my mare to more of a EPSM diet, which includes beet pulp (shredded & without molasses) and corn oil. My question is: Is it o.k. to soak the beet pulp overnight to feed in the morning or is that too long a time for soaking. I can prepare and feed her night feed, but am not available personally to feed her in the morning. This way I can get her feed ready, and then have one of the guys feed her in the morning.

[goeslikestink]

shreds should be at least 12hours pellets 24 hours speedy beat 20mins
read the backof the packet do not feed any beat pulp dry

and make sure you have 3 times water to the scoop or measure makesure its well covered in water and makesure before you feed it that it has taken in all the water and no hard lumps
as if you dont when horses eat it can swell and cause choke or colic

[fbutler]

Thanks, goeslikestink,
I didn't realize I had to soak the shreds as long as twelve hours before feeding. I have been soaking them for about two hours. So I can definitely soak them overnight without causing harm.
Thanks again for your quick response.

[bludejavu]

It depends on where you live - if you live in the south, particularly with high humidity, it will spoil in less than six hours.

[fbutler]

Thanks for your response, bludejavu.
I live in Arizona, so right now the weather is cool and fairly dry. How can you tell the beet pulp has spoiled? By smell?

[Buffyblue]

If you use hot water, the shreds take less than a half hour.

[manyspots]

I use the pellets (plain) and soak 8-12 hours ahead of feeding. So, I just fed dinner (it's 4:30 PM) and I set up breakfast.... I have let it sit longer as well (16 hrs) without any trouble. The pails are in my basement which is about 50 degrees.

I also agree... at least 3x the amount in water. I go heavy because I like to get extra water into my guys (its a full blown New England winter up here!).

I add my oils and supps just before feeding it out.

[jaimebaker]

If you use hot water, the shreds take less than a half hour.

Yep, I soak my shreds for 30 minutes in hot water (not scalding hot, just hot from the tap). The directions on the bag are for cold water soaking (the 12 hour figure).

[Seal Harbor]

Hot tap water and pellets takes about 4 hours to get totally soaked.

Please remember that if the stuff has absorbed all available water it is as done as it is going to get, it will not get any different until you add more water, doesn't matter if it sits there 2 hours, 6 hours, or 24 hours. It can only absorb what is available.

That said I feed 8 lbs daily - soaked in 5 gallons of water, and then I add more water. Takes about 4 hours before it won't soak up anymore water, my horse likes his like a wet pudding.

[bludejavu]

Thanks for your response, bludejavu.
I live in Arizona, so right now the weather is cool and fairly dry. How can you tell the beet pulp has spoiled? By smell?

It will REEK!! It can smell so nasty it makes you want to throw up LOL. Take a little bit and soak it and let it spoil so you'll know what to expect if it sours. I'm sure you are fine soaking up to 12 hours in Arizona. I usually just use warm water and soak it for about 20 minutes or so, but if you're trying to soak it say overnight, or all day long so you can just go in the barn and feed it, use cold water and you should be just fine.

[Kyzteke]

I've been feeding pelleted beet pulp to 12+ horses for the last 4 years; I pour hot tap water over so there is about 3-4 inches of water on top of the BP and let it soak about 20 minutes. That's all.

Never had a problem.

They have done several studies that show you really don't have to soak it, but my friend feels much better if she does, and she soaks it 45 minutes.

[bludejavu]

I think the OP was asking how long can she safely soak it before it spoils, instead of what the shortest time period would be.

[Summerwood]

Overnight is absolutely fine if it is in a cool, dry feed room. I do that here in FL and in MI for the am feed. You will know if it is rancid by the smell. If you soak it in the pm the day before, use what you need for the am and still have some left over, the leftovers will not be good for the pm feeding. Beet pulp gets slimy and stinky when it is rancid. You will know.

[fbutler]

Thanks everyone for your responses. They give me a good idea of what various people are doing. I poured on more water tonight than I had been, and for the first time I left soaked beet pulp for the morning!

Not to hijack my own thread, but has anyone had the experience that their horses became "hotter" on this beet pulp and oil diet? I am only into this by about 5 days and am still transitioning, but her gaits feel a lot better and she seemed much more relaxed for the last few days. Then tonight I rode her and she could hardly contain herself, she was so excited. Now she relaxed during the ride and was lovely, but when I walked her back to the barn, she had trouble keeping all four feet on the ground! I don't need anymore "hot" than I already have from this young lady, so I am hoping it is something else, and not the new diet, that is the root of her exuberance!
Your input is appreciated!

[fbutler]

Thanks, Summerwood and Bludejavu, for your anwers to my question regarding knowing when my beet pulp is no longer an appropriate meal for my girl. I will set some aside tomorrow to test just how long it will take to turn rancid.

[manyspots]

I actually took my gelding off processed grains 8 months ago to reduce "hot." He was on a sweet and oats and was nutty. Moved to a friend's barn where she does beet pulp and noticed a huge difference. He now eats beet pulp (plain), alfalfa pellets and oats 2x a day along with a multi vite supp (which they need when not on grain!) and canola oil. He still has days when he is bouncing all over the place, but overall he is much quieter!

[Summerwood]

Beet pulp will not make your horse hotter. You will notice many feeds who are "safe" or advertise to be "cool energy" using beet pulp as one of the main ingredients. We get lots of TB's off the track, and feed them plenty of beet pulp to beef them up. We will back off the grain portion of their diet if needed (if they are too hot) but never the beet pulp.