'Super-Fibres' for Horses

Fibre is the most important component of the horse's diet, not only for maintaining condition and providing slow-release energy, but also for supporting digestive health and meeting the psychological need to trickle feed. The most common fibre sources are found in forages such as hay and grass, however research has highlighted the benefits of ‘Super-Fibres’ for the horse’s digestive health, condition, and performance.

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What are ‘Super-Fibres’?

The three main ‘Super-Fibres’ are beet pulp, soya hulls and alfalfa. They are classed as ‘Super-Fibres’ due to their increased digestibility and higher energy content compared to many traditional fibre sources, without the risks associated with feeding high levels of cereals that contain increased starch and sugar. This makes them an excellent ingredient for high-fibre, low starch feeds.

Depending on forage quality, the digestibility of hay is typically 40–60%, compared with beet pulp and soya hulls which have digestibility values of approximately 80% and 75% respectively. The benefits of highly digestible fibre include supporting a healthy gastrointestinal tract, and providing additional slow-release energy for weight maintenance and performance.

‘Super-Fibres’ also have a greater water-holding capacity within the digestive tract, providing a reserve of fluid that can be drawn upon when needed to support hydration. This can benefit horses during the summer months when the risk of dehydration is increased, but also throughout winter when voluntary water intake often declines.

What is Beet Pulp?

Beet pulp is the fibrous material left over after sugar beet is processed to extract sugar. Despite its name, most of the sugar has already been removed, meaning beet pulp is naturally very low in sugar.

One of the key benefits of beet pulp is its high fermentability. During hindgut fermentation it produces greater quantities of volatile fatty acids than hay, therefore providing more energy. In fact, beet pulp has a comparable digestible energy content to oats, but the lower starch helps to maintain a level temperament. This makes it particularly beneficial for performance horses who require a lower starch diet but still need the fuel to perform.

What are Soya Hulls?

Soya hulls are the outer fibrous shell removed during the processing of soybeans for soybean meal and oil. They are recognised as a ‘Super-Fibre’ due to their highly digestible fibre content and naturally low starch levels.

Like beet pulp, soya hulls undergo fermentation in the hindgut to produce volatile fatty acids, providing a long-lasting source of energy. Their highly fermentable fibre also acts as a natural prebiotic, helping to nourish the healthy microbes within the hindgut microbiome.

What is Alfalfa?

Alfalfa (lucerne) is a highly digestible legume that provides both quality fibre and high-quality protein.

Rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine, alfalfa helps support muscle health in young growing horses and performance horses. It is also naturally high in calcium, giving it a greater acid-buffering capacity that can help maintain a healthy stomach environment.

Super Fibre Cubes

Saracen Super Fibre Cubes contain beet pulp and soya hulls, providing a higher level of digestible energy than many other fibre cubes on the market. Fully fortified with vitamins and minerals, they can be fed as the main daily bucket feed to provide a balanced diet when fed at the recommended rate.

They can be fed either dry or soaked, making them suitable for horses with dental issues, and can also be used as a partial forage replacer, replacing up to 50% of the horse's long-stem fibre intake.

As they are completely cereal free, naturally low in starch and sugar, and highly digestible, Super Fibre Cubes are an excellent option for leisure horses, those with digestive sensitivity, and horses or ponies with metabolic conditions that still require a moderate calorie intake.