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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who makes Unbeetable Feeds?
Unbeetable Feeds is a brand of Midwest Agri-Commodities Company (Midwest Agri), headquartered in San Rafael, California. Midwest Agri was formed in 1979 and markets, distributes, and finances over 1.5 million tons of solid and liquid sugar beet products a year. Customers include feed-store retailers across the United States plus the world's leading commercial animal-nutrition companies. The Unbeetable line covers beet pulp pellets, beet pulp shreds, beet molasses, and the Forage Only blend.
Why is beet pulp called a "unicorn feed"?
Per Unbeetable Feeds, beet pulp is a high-fiber, high-energy feed that works for any horse — not just the seniors and hard keepers most owners associate it with. The energy is clean and slow-burning rather than "hot" — so it can replace corn or grain-based feeds without spiking the horse. Soaked beet pulp also delivers extra hydration while acting as an ulcer preventative, and can cut your hay bill. Useful for everything from colts to seniors to performance horses.
What's in the Forage Only Blend?
The Forage Only Blend is becoming an industry favorite. The recipe is short: 2/3 alfalfa, 1/3 beet pulp, plus 2% flaxseed oil. No grain. Per Unbeetable: forage only with high energy and low sugar (no more than 6% NSC), easily-digestible fermentable fiber, Omega-3 from the flaxseed oil for cool-burning fuel and gastric/skin/coat support. The pellet is unusually small — 11/64" in diameter — which makes it easier to chew than standard equine pellets. Soaking is not required for most horses, which reduces choke risk while keeping prep simple.
Why is beet pulp considered a prebiotic?
Per Unbeetable, beet pulp is a prebiotic — the fiber that the friendly probiotic bacteria in the hindgut feed on. Without prebiotic fiber, those bacterial populations can't stay healthy. Because beet pulp is a slower-burning energy source than commercial grains, hindgut microbes can convert the fiber to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) efficiently — and the horse absorbs and uses those VFAs as energy. The result: clean energy without the gut disruption that comes from sudden grain-driven fermentation.
What about the beet pulp pellets and shreds?
Both are pure beet pulp products — the fibrous material that's left after sugar extraction. Beet Pulp Pellets are mechanically pressed and dried, then pelletized to 5/16" (8 mm) diameter. Sold in bulk or 50-pound bags. Soaking recommended. Beet Pulp Shreds are dried fibrous flakes (~9% water content) — low-cost, highly digestible, less dusty than hay, and palatable. Sold in 30-pound bags. Soaking highly recommended. Beet Pulp Shreds with Molasses is the same shred with molasses added for finicky, active, or older horses, also in 30-pound bags. Forage Only does not require soaking; pellets and shreds do (per Unbeetable's choke-risk recommendation).
Do I need to add a ration balancer or vitamin supplement?
Yes — Forage Only is unfortified, so it's short some essential vitamins and minerals on its own. Unbeetable recommends adding your favorite ration balancer or multi-vitamin to make Forage Only a complete feed. With the balancer in place, Unbeetable's own Forage Only often reduces a horse's other hay/forage needs.
Where can I buy Unbeetable Feeds?
Unbeetable Forage Only is sold across major U.S. feed-store chains: Tractor Supply, Bomgaars, Runnings, Atwoods, Murdoch's, North 40, Big R, Cal-Ranch, Coastal, and many others. The store locator on unbeetablefeeds.com will find your nearest retailer. The product is also on Chewy. Prices are set at retail, so check the carrier near you.
What do Ann Pruitt and other owners say?
Ann Pruitt, Director of InfoHorse.com: "I have a mare that is insulin resistant and has to have a VERY low NSC. I loved the fact that Forage Only was OFF THE CHARTS LOW in SUGAR (lowest I could ever find!). I also loved that it had Alfalfa and Flax Oil... My mare loved it. I am on my way to pick up 4 more bags right now. This is a keeper for me." One owner cut their feed program from four bags down to two by switching to Forage Only — replacing alfalfa pellets, beet pulp, and Renew Gold with the single product.
Another owner with a barrel-horse daughter saw chronic-ulcer weight loss reverse on beet pulp — "We no longer travel with Ulcergard." A third owner brought a tooth-and-sinus-infection rescue back from severe weight loss with soaked beet pulp in 9 days, then bought a full pallet for the rest of the herd.
What is UNBEETABLE Feeds?
UNBEETABLE Feeds is a forage-focused, beet-based equine feed brand owned by Midwest Agri-Commodities Company. The line is built on the company's own sugar-beet co-products and includes plain beet pulp pellets, beet pulp shreds, beet pulp shreds with molasses, and three grain-free formulated feeds: Unbeetable Complete, Unbeetable Balance, and Unbeetable Original (the Forage Only blend). Its tagline is 'A Feed You Can Trust.'
What exactly is beet pulp?
Beet pulp is the fibrous part of the sugar beet that remains after the sugar and liquid have been extracted. The material is pressed and dried to make a shelf-stable, highly digestible fiber feed. UNBEETABLE pellets and shreds are 'Plain Dried Beet Pulp' with no additives, binders, or molasses unless the molasses version is specified.
What is the difference between the pellets and the shreds?
Both are plain dried beet pulp with the same guaranteed analysis, but they differ in form and soak speed. The pellets are described as the most economic beet pulp option, made to a consistent size with low dust, and come in 50 lb bags. The shreds are the quickest-soaking option, dried to roughly 9% moisture, and come in 30 lb bags. There is also a Beet Pulp Shreds w/Molasses version for added palatability.
Do I need to soak UNBEETABLE beet pulp before feeding?
Yes, beet pulp is typically soaked before feeding. UNBEETABLE pellets and shreds break down with warm or cold water, with the shreds being the fastest-soaking option. Soaking turns the product into a soft, hydrating mash that is easy to chew, which makes it well suited to seniors and horses that struggle with long-stem hay.
Is beet pulp a safe energy source for horses prone to laminitis or metabolic issues?
Beet pulp is a low-starch, low-sugar fiber that ferments slowly in the hindgut, providing 'cool,' non-heating energy comparable to oats without a starch-and-sugar spike. The plain pellets and shreds show total sugars of just 0.01% on the guaranteed analysis. For horses with metabolic concerns, PPID, or grain sensitivities, the brand also offers low-NSC formulated options, but you should always confirm a feeding plan with your veterinarian.
What is the guaranteed analysis of UNBEETABLE plain beet pulp?
UNBEETABLE plain beet pulp pellets and shreds carry a guaranteed analysis of 6.0% minimum crude protein, 0.30% minimum crude fat, 22.0% maximum crude fiber, 15.0% maximum moisture, and 0.01% minimum total sugars (invert). The only ingredient is Plain Dried Beet Pulp, with no additives or binders.
What is BeetAdvantage Technology?
BeetAdvantage Technology is the formulation approach used in UNBEETABLE's fortified feeds, combining premium low-sugar beet pulp with naturally sourced betaine, a compound found in sugar beets. The company markets it as supporting hydration, digestion, cellular protection, and overall wellness. It appears in Unbeetable Complete and Unbeetable Balance.
What is Unbeetable Complete?
Unbeetable Complete is a premium, grain-free fortified feed that delivers balanced nutrition and safe calories from forage-based ingredients such as alfalfa, beet pulp, timothy hay, flax meal, and flax oil. It holds NSC at 7% maximum (2% dietary starch plus 5% sugars) and guarantees four amino acids: lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. It is fortified with Kentucky Equine Research micronutrients and can be fed up to 100% of the daily ration for horses unable to consume hay.
What is Unbeetable Balance and who is it for?
Unbeetable Balance is a grain-free ration balancer that supplies essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids without excess calories. It guarantees 25% minimum crude protein and holds NSC at 8% maximum, with high lysine, methionine, and threonine plus pea protein for a complete amino acid profile. It is designed for easy keepers, ponies, horses on forage-only diets, and horses with metabolic sensitivities, PPID, or grain sensitivities.
What is the Unbeetable Forage Only blend?
Unbeetable Original, the Forage Only blend, is a simple grain-free, high-fiber forage replacement made from dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried plain beet pulp, and flaxseed oil. It runs about 13.5% minimum protein, 3.5% minimum fat, 25% maximum fiber, and 7% NSC. It can serve as a complete forage replacement during hay shortages, as a digestible fiber source, or alongside hay and pasture.
Can UNBEETABLE products be fed to animals other than horses?
Yes. The plain beet pulp pellets and shreds are suitable for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and camelids, and are commonly sold to show cattle, goat, and horse owners. The Forage Only blend is likewise positioned for multi-species farms that need a consistent, grain-free forage option. The fortified feeds (Complete and Balance) are formulated specifically for horses.
What bag sizes does UNBEETABLE Feeds come in?
Beet Pulp Pellets are sold in 50 lb bags, while Beet Pulp Shreds and Beet Pulp Shreds w/Molasses come in 30 lb bags. Bulk purchasing is also available for some products through Midwest Agri's distribution network. The formulated feeds (Complete, Balance, Original) are bagged for retail.
Is UNBEETABLE Feeds connected to Kentucky Equine Research?
Yes. UNBEETABLE's formulated feeds, including Unbeetable Complete and Unbeetable Balance, are fortified with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) micronutrients, and the brand highlights KER as a research partner under its Resources. This connects the line's vitamin and mineral fortification to established equine nutrition science.
How do I contact UNBEETABLE Feeds for retail or wholesale?
Customer service can be reached at 800-290-1590 or 541-910-6975. For sales and partnership inquiries, contact Jason Stewart at
[email protected]. More information, the full product line, and a store locator are available at unbeetablefeeds.com.
Why choose beet pulp over grain-based feeds?
Beet pulp is a highly digestible super-fiber that provides energy comparable to oats while keeping starch and sugar low, so it supplies 'cool,' non-heating energy without the spikes associated with grain. It ferments slowly in the hindgut and acts as a natural prebiotic that supports healthy gut bacteria, making it gentle on sensitive horses. Because UNBEETABLE sources its own beet pulp directly from member-cooperative sugar processing, the brand emphasizes clean, traceable, no-filler feed.
How Do I Know If My Horse Can Benefit From Beet Pulp?
Every horse can benefit from beet pulp! A common misconception is that beet pulp is only for older horses and hard keeers. We are here to tell you that Unbeetable Feeds Beet Pulp is in fact a "unicorn feed:” a high fiber, high energy option that can be added to any horse's diet. From your seniors to your colts, beet pulp-based feed offers a clean energy source without making your horses "hot". Adding soaked beet pulp to your horse's diet is also a great way to ensure additional hydration while also acting as an ulcer preventative all while cutting back your hay bill.
Is It True That Beet Pulp Is A “Prebiotic" For The Gut?
Yes! Beet Pulp is in fact considered a prebiotic. Pre-biotics are what probiotics (friendly bacteria) in your gut feed on. Without “prebiotics” your gut won’t support a healthy bacteria population. Because beet pulp is considered a slower-burning energy source, rather than a quick energy source like those found with many commercial grains. This causes the hindgut microbes to have an easier time converting the beet pulp fiber to the all-important volatile fatty acids (VFA). These VFAs are absorbed and then converted to energy before being used by the horse.
Does The "Unbeetable Forage Only Product" Need To Be Soaked?
Because our Unbeetable Forage Only Blend is a soft grain-like pellet that is 11/64ths in diameter it makes it easier to chew than standard equine pellets which means there is usually no soaking required. While no feed can eliminate choke risk completely, if your horse has a history with choking, bolting its feed or has worn teeth, we suggest that you consult with your veterinarian on whether soaking our Forage Only Blend would be more recommended. If needed, soaking also provides extra hydration.
Do I Need Additional Supplements With The "Unbeetable Forage Only” Product?
Although Forage Only provides most of the nutrients a horse needs, it is not fortified. As such, it is short some important vitamins and minerals. As such, we recommend adding in your favorite ration balancer to ensure that your horses get all the proper vitamins and minerals they need for your specific demographic.
Can Unbeetable Products Help My Performance Horse With More Energy?
Not only is our Unbeetable Forage Only a great option to provide clean sustainable energy to your performance horses it also ensures that you are getting a consistent feed even while you are traveling on the road with your horses. The nice thing about our Unbeetable Forage Only is the range in amount that can be fed based on the quality of your hay. If you have consistent access to high quality and affordable hay, you can get by with feeding less Forage Only. However, given the cost and inconsistent quality of hay, it's nice to have a consistent forage pelletized feed option.
Is It True That Many Feed Companies Carry Unbeetable Feeds?
YES! Forage Only is sold at numerous feed stores across the United States, including Tractor Supply, Bomgaars, Runnings, Atwoods, Murdochs, North 40, Big R, Cal-Ranch, Coastal and numerous others.
Do The Beet Pulp Shreds and Pellets Benefit Best From Soaking?
While many nutritionists and veterinarians suggest that feeding beet pulp dry is safe, we still recommend soaking both the pellets and the shreds to minimize choke risk. Unless you have an unusual situation, our “Forage Only” does not require soaking. If you do choose to soak, one of the universal benefits is that your horses are receiving additional hydration. During both cold and hot months, that’s especially important to maintaining a healthy horse!
