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
Dr. Getty,
Again thank you so much for the insight on beet pulp, I just had someone tell me today that is bad to feed very high in sugars they feed it to their cows to gain weight. I understand totally what you are saying, and in fact fed it to my IR horse for years,I love beet pulp as well. I was just amazed how the book totally went after it and called it trash!
Your the best!
Della
How did you locate this forum? Worked with Dr Getty
Hi Della,
I think many people confuse the term NFC with NSC. NFC refers to non-fibrous carbohydrates and this number includes pectin. It tends to be high in beet pulp because beet pulp contains so much pectin. Pectin does not produce the insulin response that starch does, making it excellent for horses with insulin resistance. It does provide calories for horses, as many as oats, without any of the laminitis dangers that oats provides. So, an overweight horse should not have a large amount of beet pulp, simply because he doesn't need the calories. But it serves well as a carrier for supplements. Or, if the horse needs the calories, it works well as a feed source without the problems that oats creates.
NSC stands for non-structural carbohydrates, which does not include pectin, but rather sugars, starch, and fructans -- all of which can contribute to laminitis and insulin fluctuations.
Hope this helps clarify things a bit.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
Again thank you so much for the insight on beet pulp, I just had someone tell me today that is bad to feed very high in sugars they feed it to their cows to gain weight. I understand totally what you are saying, and in fact fed it to my IR horse for years,I love beet pulp as well. I was just amazed how the book totally went after it and called it trash!
Your the best!
Della
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO