11 min read Last updated: January 2026 Struggling to keep fibre, sugar and hydration right for your horse this UK winter? You'll learn exactly how to feed Speedi-Beet for safer energy and faster hydration, including the quick cold-soak that's ready in 5-10 minutes, plus simple dry-weight measures and red-flag checks so you can feed with confidence. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Choose Unmolassed Beet What To Do: Pick Speedi-Beet or PuraBeet (about 5-6% sugar) and avoid molassed shreds for laminitis-prone or good-doer horses. Why It Matters: Keeps non-structural carbohydrates lower and reduces glycaemic load. Common Mistake: Assuming all beet pulp is low sugar and safe for sensitive horses. Area: Fast Cold-Soak What To Do: Soak Speedi-Beet 5-10 minutes in cold water at roughly 5-6 parts water to 1 part beet by weight until fully soft. Why It Matters: Rapid water uptake supports hydration and saves time on busy yards. Common Mistake: Under-soaking or using too little water, leaving hard bits in the mash. Area: Weigh Dry First What To Do: Weigh beet pulp dry to your target amount, then add water; never measure by soaked volume. Why It Matters: Soaked volume varies widely and can distort calorie and nutrient intake. Common Mistake: Swapping a scoop of soaked beet for a scoop of cereals or other dry feeds. Area: Set Feeding Rates What To Do: Start at ~100 g per 100 kg bodyweight (dry) and adjust; keep within 500 g per 100 kg (BHF) or 6 g/kg (Equiglo) and under 50% of the diet. Why It Matters: Controls energy intake and supports safe digestion. Common Mistake:-strong> Increasing too fast without tracking weight, droppings and appetite. Area: Balance the Ration What To Do: Feed ad-lib forage, add protein via alfalfa/chaff if needed, and include a vitaminmineral balancer. Why It Matters: Beet pulp is low in protein and micronutrients and cannot meet needs alone. Common Mistake: Using beet pulp as the main or sole fibre without a balancer. Area: Monitor Colic Risk What To Do: Introduce gradually, keep beet to 50% or less of the ration, and watch for early colic signs; consult your vet if theres a torsion history. Why It Matters: Sugar beet has been associated with a higher large colon torsion risk. Common Mistake: Assuming unmolassed beet carries no risk and skipping monitoring during diet changes. Area: Switch from Shreds What To Do: Replace 2 units of soaked molassed shreds with 1.5 units of soaked Speedi-Beet; reassess condition for 10-14 days. Why It Matters: Preserves energy intake while cutting sugar. Common Mistake: Swapping 1:1 by soaked volume and overfeeding calories. Area: Store Soaked Beet What To Do: Use fresh, discard after 24 hours or if it smells of wine/vinegar, and cool hot-soaked feeds before serving. Why It Matters: Prevents spoilage, choke and gut upset. Common Mistake: Leaving mash to sit in warm weather or feeding while still warm. In This Guide What is Speedi-Beet and why it matters Speedi-Beet vs molassed shreds: the hard numbers Energy, digestibility and gut health Who should feed unmolassed beet and who shouldnt? How to feed and soak correctly Switching from shreds to Speedi-Beet Cost, yield and UK yard practicalities Balancing the ration around beet pulp Choosing the right beet pulp can transform your horses diet, hydration and hindgut health especially through a UK winter yard routine. If you want low sugar, fast soaking and proven digestibility, Speedi-Beet stands out but you still need to feed it right.Key takeaway: For UK horses needing low-sugar fibre that soaks in minutes, Speedi-Beet (56% sugar) offers quick hydration and university-backed digestibility; feed it as part of a balanced ration, weigh it dry, and monitor for colic signs.What is Speedi-Beet and why it mattersSpeedi-Beet is an unmolassed sugar beet pulp with only 56% sugar that cold-soaks in 510 minutes to around 56 times its weight. That makes it a safe, low-sugar fibre for laminitis-prone horses and a practical option on busy UK livery yards.Unlike traditional molassed beet shreds, Speedi-Beet is designed to deliver fibre-derived energy without the sugar spike. According to British Horse Feeds, Speedi-Beet has a guaranteed sugar limit of 5%, compared to up to 18% in molassed shreds. It also absorbs water rapidly: in cold water, it reaches five times its weight in 5 minutes and over six times in 10 minutes, helping you get soaked feeds done fast even without hot water.For owners comparing options, PuraBeet is also unmolassed and low in sugar (around 56%), with sugar removed at the factory stage. Both are suitable for low-sugar diets; Speedi-Beets edge is its rapid cold soak. See our overview of the differences in our own guide: Speedi-Beet vs PuraBeet (10-minute or overnight soak) on the Just Horse Riders blog.Speedi-Beet vs molassed shreds: the hard numbersSpeedi-Beet caps sugar at 5% versus up to 18% in molassed shreds and absorbs over six times its weight in cold water within 10 minutes (compared with roughly three times for shreds). Over 24 hours, Speedi-Beet can absorb around nine times its weight.Those numbers matter in day-to-day yard life. A lower sugar content gives you more flexibility to build a diet with a lower glycaemic index, while the superior soak and water-holding capacity support hydration handy in winter when horses often drink less. The rapid soak also suits livery yards with limited hot water: you can safely soak a fresh, soft mash in the time it takes to fetch rugs or bring in from the field. British Horse Feeds confirms these figures in their head-to-head comparison of Speedi-Beet and shreds (source).Quick tip: Always weigh the dry product before soaking; volume changes dramatically with water and a scoop of soaked beet never equals a scoop of a dry cereal like oats (Equiglo).Energy, digestibility and gut healthUniversity of Glasgow research shows Speedi-Beet ferments 10% more than standard beet pulp and is up to 25% more digestible than hay and lucerne. That extra fermentability delivers energy on par with the missing sugar from molassed shreds, but as slow-release hindgut fuel.British Horse Feeds summarises the Glasgow work clearly:"Work conducted at Glasgow University shows, using hindgut bacteria, that fermentation of Speedi-Beet is 10% greater than standard beet pulp, giving an energy lift that could equate to the extra sugar in shreds."They also note:"University of Glasgow has proven Speedi-Beet to be up to 25% more digestible than other fibres such as hay and lucerne, meaning the horse can absorb more fibre and nutrients."Unmolassed beet pulp is almost starch-free and contains approximately 57% sugar. It also has a naturally high calcium to phosphorus ratio (about 6:1), making it useful for balancing higher-phosphorus feeds like oats (Equiglo). Combined with its water-holding capacity, a soaked beet mash can help maintain gut fill and fibre flow factors widely valued for digestive comfort and consistent performance.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend using Speedi-Beet as part of a fibre-first ration, topped up with a broad-spectrum vitaminmineral balancer from our curated range of horse supplements and balancers to fill any gaps.Who should feed unmolassed beet and who shouldnt?Choose unmolassed beet for laminitis-prone, good-doer or metabolically sensitive horses, and be cautious with molassed shreds due to their higher sugar. However, monitor for colic: a Liverpool University study linked all sugar beet (molassed and unmolassed) to a higher risk of large colon torsion.For native ponies, Cushings/PPID cases, or horses on spring/autumn grass flushes, unmolassed products like Speedi-Beet or PuraBeet keep non-structural carbohydrate intake lower, aligning with a BHS-style, low-sugar approach. Our customers often use an unmolassed beet mash to carry supplements, to soften feeds for veterans, or to boost fibre and hydration after work or travel.That said, an important red flag comes from peer-reviewed work at Liverpool University (Joanna Mary Suthers, 2012), as summarised by Horse & Hound:"Peer-reviewed research carried out at Liverpool University (Joanna Mary Suthers: September 2012) highlighted a surprising relationship between feeding sugar beet and the likelihood of a horse suffering from large colon torsion (twisted gut)... Further research is needed to determine whether unmolassed sugar beet is less of a risk factor."What to do with this information:Introduce beet pulp gradually and monitor gut comfort, particularly around the spring grass surge when colic incidence tends to rise in the UK.Keep total beet pulp to 50% or less of the diet and maintain ad-lib forage where appropriate.Watch for early colic signs (reduced appetite, pawing, flank-watching, unsettled behaviour) and contact your vet promptly if concerned.If your horse is sharp on sugar or laminitis-prone, stick to unmolassed beet; if you have any history of colic or torsion in your horse, discuss beet inclusion with your vet and adjust your fibre sources accordingly.How to feed and soak correctlyWeigh beet pulp dry, then soak Speedi-Beet for 510 minutes in cold water at roughly 56 parts water to 1 part beet (by weight), or use at least a 2:1 water-to-pulp ratio for shreds and leave 15 minutes or until fully soft. Using hot water speeds up soaking, but feeds must be cool before serving.Practical steps:Weigh the dry beet first to meet your planned nutrient target; never substitute by volume as soaked beet expands greatly (Equiglo).For Speedi-Beet, allow 5 minutes for roughly 5x water uptake and around 10 minutes for 6x; shreds require longer and take in less water overall (British Horse Feeds).Storage: in warm weather, soaked beet can spoil quickly; discard anything that smells of wine or vinegar and do not keep soaked feeds longer than 24 hours (Horse & Hound).Choke/impaction note: soaking isnt strictly required to prevent impaction, but its strongly recommended for hydration, dentition and palatability benefits (Horse & Hound).Feeding rates and limits:General guideline: 100 g per 100 kg bodyweight (dry weight) as a baseline.Upper guidance per British Horse Feeds: up to 500 g per 100 kg bodyweight per day (e.g., up to 2.5 kg dry for a 500 kg horse) (BHF Feeding FAQs).Additional guidance from Equiglo: up to 6 g/kg bodyweight/day (max ~3 kg dry for a 500 kg horse) or a maximum of 50% of the total diet (Equiglo).Because beet pulp is relatively low in protein (around 810%) and lacks key vitamins/minerals, it must not be your horses sole fibre source. Pair it with good-quality hay or haylage and add a balancer or appropriate vitaminmineral supplement to complete the ration.Switching from shreds to Speedi-BeetTo swap, replace 2 units of soaked molassed shreds with 1.5 units of soaked Speedi-Beet and adjust to your horses condition. A rapid changeover is acceptable because nutrient profiles are similar, minus the added sugar.British Horse Feeds recommend this simple substitution ratio to maintain energy intake while cutting sugar (source). Monitor your horses weight, droppings and appetite over the first 1014 days and tweak the volume as needed to keep condition steady.Pro tip: If your horse tends to drop weight in winter, consider using Speedi-Beet as a carrier for oil or a higher-protein chop (or try Fibre-Beet, which blends Speedi-Beet with alfalfa) to raise calorie density without resorting to high-starch cereals.Cost, yield and UK yard practicalitiesA 20 kg bag of Speedi-Beet costs about 18.7920.79 in the UK and yields roughly 125 Stubbs scoops once soaked; Equibeet sits around 13/20 kg. Budget for Speedi-Beets convenience and low sugar, and expect excellent soak-to-yield efficiency for yard routines.Numbers to know:Speedi-Beet price examples: 18.7920.79 per 20 kg (UK), with one bag producing about 125 Stubbs scoops when soaked (British Horse Feeds).Equibeet example: approximately 13 for 20 kg (Horse & Hound Forum).Soak speed and water uptake: Speedi-Beet reaches 5x water in 5 minutes and 6x in 10 minutes; shreds only about 3x and need longer soaking (British Horse Feeds).For UK winters, the quick cold-soak is a real advantage when taps are icy or hot water is limited. A warm beet mash can also tempt fussy drinkers after a frosty hack. If youre riding after work in low light, stay safe and seen with our curated rider hi-vis essentials. And to keep weight steady through temperature dips, pair smart feeding with the right rugs browse winter turnout rugs for the field and cosy stable rugs for nights in.Balancing the ration around beet pulpKeep beet pulp to 50% or less of the total diet and pair it with forage, protein and a vitaminmineral balancer. Use the high calcium content (about 6:1 Ca:P) to advantage alongside higher-phosphorus cereals if used, and add micronutrients your horse wont get from beet alone.Simple framework to build a balanced ration around Speedi-Beet:Forage first: ad-lib hay/haylage for good-doers as appropriate; beet pulp can replace a portion of forage but never all of it.Protein and topline: add alfalfa or a quality chaff if your horse needs more amino acids (Fibre-Beet is a convenient blend of Speedi-Beet and alfalfa for veterans or poor dentition).Micronutrients: finish with a balancer or targeted vitaminmineral supplement to cover selenium, vitamin E, copper, zinc and others that beet doesnt supply in sufficient amounts.Special cases: for laminitis-prone horses, stick to unmolassed beet and consider vetted laminitis management supplements from trusted brands like NAF as part of a broader management plan.Body condition scoring every 24 weeks and a regular curry with a good grooming kit will help you spot changes early (coat feel, fat pads, topline). In cold snaps, prevent unnecessary calorie burn with the right rugging choices and consistent routines. This BHS-aligned, fibre-first, low-sugar approach keeps many UK natives and good-doers on an even keel through spring grass flushes and winter lulls alike.FAQsIs Speedi-Beet safe for laminitis-prone ponies?Yes. As an unmolassed beet pulp, Speedi-Beet contains only about 56% sugar, making it far safer than molassed shreds, which can reach up to 18% sugar (British Horse Feeds). Its widely used for laminitis-prone and good-doer horses when fed as part of a balanced, low-sugar diet.Do I need to soak beet pulp before feeding?It isnt strictly required to prevent impaction, but soaking is recommended for hydration, dentition and palatability. For Speedi-Beet, cold-soak for 510 minutes (56x water uptake); for shreds, use at least a 2:1 water-to-pulp ratio and soak 15 minutes or until soft (Horse & Hound, BHF).Whats the difference between PuraBeet, Speedi-Beet and regular sugar beet?PuraBeet and Speedi-Beet are both unmolassed, low-sugar options (around 56%). Regular sugar beet is often molassed and can be up to 18% sugar. Speedi-Beets main advantage is its very fast cold soak (H&H Forum, Just Horse Riders blog guidance).Can I feed beet pulp as the only forage?No. Keep beet pulp to 50% or less of the total diet. Its low in protein (around 810%) and short of key vitamins and minerals, so it must be paired with hay/haylage and a balancer or appropriate supplement (Equiglo).How much Speedi-Beet should I feed a 500 kg horse?Typical ranges are 2.53.0 kg dry weight per day for a 500 kg horse, depending on workload and condition. British Horse Feeds advises up to 500 g per 100 kg bodyweight (2.5 kg/day), while Equiglo quotes up to 6 g/kg (3.0 kg/day) always weigh dry, then soak (BHF Feeding FAQs, Equiglo).Does sugar beet increase the risk of colic (twisted gut)?A Liverpool University study found a statistically significant association between feeding sugar beet (both molassed and unmolassed) and large colon torsion risk, although more research is needed to clarify risk in unmolassed beet specifically (Horse & Hound). Introduce gradually, keep total beet to 50% or less of the ration, and monitor for colic signs.How do I switch from molassed shreds to Speedi-Beet?Replace 2 units of soaked shreds with 1.5 units of soaked Speedi-Beet, then adjust to maintain condition. A quick switch is acceptable because the main difference is the removed sugar, not the underlying fibre (British Horse Feeds).Need help fine-tuning your horses fibre plan? Speak to your vet or nutritionist, then build your shopping list with high-quality fibre, a suitable balancer from our supplements collection, and season-appropriate rugs from turnout to stable to keep condition consistent. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop SupplementsShop NAF SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Hi-Vis Gear