Why we choose to be Soya Free

Soya is now widely used in horse feed and supplements but we chose not to follow the trend and use micronised linseed meal as a rich source of oils, amino acids and vitamins instead.

As with all our decisions at Equibalancer we use many streams of scientific research to back up our decisions to bring you the very best products we are able to, here are just some of the reasons for our choice.

Choosing linseed instead of soy in horse feed can offer several advantages:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Linseed (also known as flaxseed) is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids have various benefits for horses, including anti-inflammatory properties, promoting healthy skin and coat, supporting immune function, and aiding in joint health.
2. Digestive Health: Linseed contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that can help soothe and protect the digestive tract. It can be beneficial for horses with digestive issues such as ulcers or colic.
3. Low Allergenic Potential: While soy can be a common allergen for horses, linseed is generally considered to have a lower allergenic potential. Choosing linseed as an alternative can help avoid potential allergic reactions in sensitive horses. Soy is one of the common allergens for horses, along with other ingredients such as grains, certain grasses, and certain types of hay. Allergic reactions can vary from mild to severe and may include symptoms like skin irritation, itching, hives, respiratory issues, or digestive problems.
4. Energy Source: Linseed is a good source of energy due to its high-fat content. It can provide a slow-release energy source, helping to maintain stamina and endurance in performance horses.
5. Coat and Hoof Health: The omega-3 fatty acids in linseed can contribute to a healthy and shiny coat, as well as support hoof health. Linseed has been known to improve the quality and strength of hooves.

As a company minimising our environmental impact and carbon footprint are important to us, the linseed that we use is grown in the U.K and milled in North Yorkshire where as soya production has an ever-increasing impact on the environment in which it is grown and harvested as well as the environmental footprint in transporting it ½ way around the world.

Soya production environmental impacts known include:

• Deforestation in South America.

Soya is worse than other crops because it is only harvested once a year so to increase yield more Soya has to be planted to meet growing demand.

• Threatened Biodiversity

As swathes of Brazilian forest and the Cerrado is being cleared for intensive agribusiness of which soya forms a central part.

• Carbon Emissions

As forests are cleared to grow crops like soya, detrimental amounts of CO2 are released into our atmosphere. Furthermore, mechanised harvesting and processing of soy, coupled with export-related food miles to manufacturing sites in the UK and around the world, present sustainability, and emissions issues.

• Soil Erosion

Soya production is one of the leading causes of soil erosion in Brazil as ploughing, intensive irrigation, and a lack of wind cover from trees disturb and deplete nutrient-rich topsoil and leads to long term reduction of productivity, threatening future crop yields.

• Sustainable Water Resources

Since soy requires a lot of water to grow and cultivation degrades water quality because of contaminates of surrounding water sources from agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers. 

We make the right choices so you can too