Superfibres: beet pulp, soya hulls and alfalfa
Beet pulp, soya husks and cassava are more digestible than hay and provide energy without the risks associated with high grain content. What each superfiber is capable of and when Super Fibre Cubes are appropriate.
Fiber is the most important component of a horse's diet. It helps keep the horse fit and provides a slow release of energy, but it also promotes healthy digestion and satisfies the psychological need for the horse to eat continuously in small doses. The most common sources of fibre are bulky fodder such as hay and grass. But research has shown that so-called "super fibers" have benefits for a horse's healthy digestion, fitness and performance.
What are super fibres?
The three main superfibers are beet pulp, soya husk and rye. They are called superfibers because they are more digestible and have a higher energy content than many traditional sources of fibre –, without the risks associated with feeding large amounts of high-starch and sugar cereals. Therefore, they are an excellent raw material for high-fiber and low-starch feed.
The digestibility of hay is normally 40 to 60% depending on its quality, while the digestibility of beet cuttings is approximately 80% and that of soya husks approximately 75%. Highly digestible fiber supports a healthy digestive tract and provides additional slow-release energy for weight maintenance and performance.
Fibre source
Digestibility
Main benefit
Hay
usually 40 to 60% (depending on quality)
the most common source of fibre together with grass
Sugar beet pulp
approximately 80%
high fermentation rate, digestible energy comparable to oats but with a lower starch content
Soya hulls
approximately 75%
a long-term energy source, natural prebiotic
Alfalfa (lucerne)
vysoce stravitelná (číslo článek neuvádí)
high-quality protein (lysine), lots of calcium – helps to reduce acidity in the stomach
In addition, the superfibers in your digestive tract retain more water, creating a reservoir of fluid from which your body can draw as needed while maintaining hydration. This helps in summer, when the risk of dehydration is higher, but also in winter, when horses usually drink less.
Sugar beet pulp
Beet pulp is the fibrous residue remaining after processing sugar beet into sugar. Despite their name, most of the sugar has already been removed from them, so they are naturally very low in sugar.
One of the main advantages of beet cuts is their high fermentation rate. When fermented in the large intestine, they produce more volatile fatty acids than hay and therefore provide more energy. They are even comparable in digestible energy to oats, but their lower starch content helps maintain a balanced temperament. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for sport horses that need a lower starch-containing feed dose and still have enough energy to perform.
Soya hulls
Soya husks are the outer fibrous packaging that is removed when processing soyas into soya meal and oil. They are considered superfiber because of their highly digestible fiber and naturally low starch content.
Like beet pulp, soya peels ferment in the large intestine on volatile fatty acids to provide a long-term source of energy. Their well-fermented fiber also acts as a natural prebiotic to help nourish beneficial microbes in the colon.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa (alfalfa, alfalfa) is a highly digestible pulp that provides high-quality fiber and protein.
It is rich in essential amino acids, especially lysine, and thus helps to promote healthy muscles in both young growing horses and sport horses. It is also naturally high in calcium, which helps to suppress acidity and can help maintain a healthy environment in the stomach.
Super Fibre Cubes
Saracen Super Fibre Cubes They contain beet pulp and soya husks and provide more digestible energy than many other fibre pellets on the market. They are fully fortified with vitamins and minerals, so when fed at the recommended dosage they can form the main daily diet and ensure a balanced feed ration.
They can be fed both dry and wet, making them suitable for horses with dental problems. They may also partially replace bulk feed – up to 50% of long fibre intake.
Because they are completely grain-free, naturally low in starch and sugar, and highly digestible, Super Fibre Cubes are an excellent choice for recreational horses, horses with sensitive digestion, and horses and ponies with metabolic problems who still need a moderate calorie intake.