I can't answer many of your questions, but hopefully can help a bit with the beet pulp... Usually the sugars in beet pulp are due to molasses added back for dust control and flavoring, it can still be used but will take more rinsing to get rid of the sugars. The recommendation is to rinse, soak and rinse again; initial rinse is to get rid of surface dirt and sugars, the soak to fluff it up to reduce choke (also gets fluids in them), and then rinse again til water runs clear to get rid of more sugars. Beet pulp can be used for weight loss or gain, depending on how it's used; replace grain portion of diet and even some hay for weight loss, or just add it to the diet for weight gain. If he'll eat it, I'd certainly try it.
