Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Kristi,
The amount of beet pulp would depend on his energy needs. If he is working moderately to intensely, you can consider adding enough beet pulp to bring his meal up to 3 lbs. So, if you're feeding 1 1/2 pounds of the Poulin feed, you could add 1 1/2 pounds (dry weight) of beet pulp. Be sure to weigh it -- don't rely on a scoop size.
Dr. Getty 
Hi Leila,
It really depends on whether or not she has risk factors toward developing laminitis. Generally speaking, the haylage should not be at all problematic. However, if your horse is overweight or suffers from cushings or metabolic syndrome, then you may need to soak the haylage if it is too high in sugar.
You could consider having it tested for its sugar content, if you think there is a risk.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Kristi,
If he's not doing any work, then figure 1.5% of his weight should be in feed and 75% of that from hay. The remaining 25% can be from feedstuffs such as beet pulp and rice bran. Generally, you'll limit the rice bran to about a pound a day. The rest can be in beet pulp.
Dr. Getty
Hi Kristi,
You should weigh the beet pulp dry.
As I've written to you about a couple of times, I really cannot predict anything without consulting with you in more detail. This forum is intended to answer questions that are direct enough for this type of medium. However, to assist you with specific amounts, time periods, expectations, and the like, I would be happy to visit with you. This type of analysis takes more time than I can offer you with a simple forum response.
If at some point in the future, you would like to make an appointment, I'd be delighted to work with you and your horses.
All the best,
Dr. Getty