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 Expert
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Location: Texas | Has anyone else done any research on how soy in horse feeds effects horses? This has been in the back of my mind for a while and I finally got around to googling it. Came across numerous articles and web sites stating that soy, although it is a good source of protein, is not good for horses. Of course the main, first ingrediant listed on the tag of what I am feeding is dehulled soybean meal. From my research, any feed company is going to say that it is great for protein and great for horses. But any site I have come across that isn't trying to sell a product states it is not good. Anyone else have any thoughts or feedback? A couple of my horses have had a few issues that might be attributed to the soy. I am going to switch to straight oats and see if the issues disappear. |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| I have fed anywhere from 1/2 cup to 1/2 lb per day of soybean meal to my horses for about 10 years now and never had any ill effects that I know of. It helps with hoof growth which is the main reason I use it since most of my horses are barefoot. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Here is just one article I found on soy:
http://www.enlightenedhorsemanship.net/tag/dangers-of-soy-in-horse-feed/ |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | I am not a fan of soy for horse or human |
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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | TBone - 2013-12-23 1:31 PM
Has anyone else done any research on how soy in horse feeds effects horses? This has been in the back of my mind for a while and I finally got around to googling it. Came across numerous articles and web sites stating that soy, although it is a good source of protein, is not good for horses. Of course the main, first ingrediant listed on the tag of what I am feeding is dehulled soybean meal. From my research, any feed company is going to say that it is great for protein and great for horses. But any site I have come across that isn't trying to sell a product states it is not good. Anyone else have any thoughts or feedback? A couple of my horses have had a few issues that might be attributed to the soy. I am going to switch to straight oats and see if the issues disappear.
What issues are you having? |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I have not used Soy in horse feed formulations for over 20 years for exactly these reasons. Soy is available and cheap for the changes it can make on feed label guarantees. Soy bean meal, Soy hulls, and Soy oil are all used in a wide variety of animal feed to raise protein, fat or fiber guarantees on the label. Most Soy oil used in feed in the US is solvent extracted, and solvent type and purity may vary. The quality and purity of Soy ingredients can, in my opinion, vary so much from one supplier to the next that I would rather not put it in my horses. If I will not use it on my horses, I will not put it in anyone else's horse. |
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 Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
Location: Oklahoma | And are these articles and websites backed by unbiased research? Is there an agenda on the part of those involved? Are the articles peer reviewed?
Soybeans have been a valuable and safe source of quality protein and fats for generations. Millions of horses compete and live very long, healthy lives who are on soybean. I have a 32 and a 33 year old who have had soybean meal added to their diet for 16 years.
Before jumping on the "oh my gosh, we're killing our horses train," take a hard look at the source. |
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Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
Location: Oklahoma | With the above being said, it is very possible a horse can be allergic or sensitive to soy, or anything else.
As for the consistency of the soy - everything varies from supplier to supplier. Heck, hay from the exact same field and supplier will vary from year to year and cutting to cutting. AShould we buy up a lifetime supply or stop feeding hay to avoid those differences? Or should we look for feeds from reputable, respected suppliers whre the quality and nutrient content will be consistent?
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | There have been a lot of horses fed Soy for a lot of years, and it is not the number one concern that I have with many of the feeds on the market today. But, there is plenty of good data arguing against it's use. I also strongly believe that we should be feeding Non-GMO feeds to our horses. Which, in general, Soy is not. Just as many people have fed it for years without problems that were obvious to them, a lot of people have chosen to avoid it with wonderful results. All that being said, If I were to keep one ingredient out of horses, it would be corn before Soy. |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | winwillows - 2013-12-23 4:57 PM There have been a lot of horses fed Soy for a lot of years, and it is not the number one concern that I have with many of the feeds on the market today. But, there is plenty of good data arguing against it's use. I also strongly believe that we should be feeding Non-GMO feeds to our horses. Which, in general, Soy is not. Just as many people have fed it for years without problems that were obvious to them, a lot of people have chosen to avoid it with wonderful results. All that being said, If I were to keep one ingredient out of horses, it would be corn before Soy.
So if you had access to good, bulk oats, would you feed that instead of a pelleted feed that contains wheat mids and soybeans?
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | One of the ingredients in my horses feed is soy _______
I have tried most of the high $$ feeds. This feed, with the soy____, for him is the cats meow. He has gotten soft and a joy to ride. And, so far, is making some consistent runs. Befor the change, he was inconsistent, always something with him. So far I'm likening the change! |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | OK, first the oats vs pelleted feed with wheat mids and Soy bean meal. I severely limit both if I can. I make feed products, so I am going to do this the proper way and not advertise for my own benefit. As a general rule, I do not like more than about 250 grams of NSC per feeding for more reasons than there is room for here. That limits a lot most concentrates to less than two pounds per feeding. I try to avoid soy and corn in horse feeds if possible, or greatly limit them if I can't.
As to the calming effect of the feed that has Soy, I doubt that it is specifically the result of the soy, but, if you and your horse are getting along great, don't change a thing. Getting along well is everyone's goal. |
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A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | winwillows - 2013-12-23 7:42 PM OK, first the oats vs pelleted feed with wheat mids and Soy bean meal. I severely limit both if I can. I make feed products, so I am going to do this the proper way and not advertise for my own benefit. As a general rule, I do not like more than about 250 grams of NSC per feeding for more reasons than there is room for here. That limits a lot most concentrates to less than two pounds per feeding. I try to avoid soy and corn in horse feeds if possible, or greatly limit them if I can't. As to the calming effect of the feed that has Soy, I doubt that it is specifically the result of the soy, but, if you and your horse are getting along great, don't change a thing. Getting along well is everyone's goal.
I want to make sure I understand......you would limit the wheat mids and soybean meal, or the oats? Oats are high in NSC, right?
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A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | Fun2Run - 2013-12-23 8:47 PM
winwillows - 2013-12-23 7:42 PM OK, first the oats vs pelleted feed with wheat mids and Soy bean meal. I severely limit both if I can. I make feed products, so I am going to do this the proper way and not advertise for my own benefit. As a general rule, I do not like more than about 250 grams of NSC per feeding for more reasons than there is room for here. That limits a lot most concentrates to less than two pounds per feeding. I try to avoid soy and corn in horse feeds if possible, or greatly limit them if I can't. As to the calming effect of the feed that has Soy, I doubt that it is specifically the result of the soy, but, if you and your horse are getting along great, don't change a thing. Getting along well is everyone's goal.
I want to make sure I understand......you would limit the wheat mids and soybean meal, or the oats? Oats are high in NSC, right?
Oats are PROVEN to be high in starch & sugar. So they can & will cause a horse to be hot/hyper and can cause ulcers and other metabolic issues. They're fine in MODERATION, but I wouldn't recommend them as the sole source of energy & nutrition.
Some people prefer a COB mix but I would NEVER EVER feed corn to my horses & I choose to steer away from oats, being as I prefer not to feed high starch. My horses don't need the extra craziness or the extra sugar that oats can bring. And corn is absolutely NOT necessary or healthy for a horse. Period. Worst thing you can feed a horse, IMHO.
Moderation is the key when it comes to just about everything related to feed. You want to feed the least amount of grain necessary to keep your horse healthy & performing, while still meeting their nutritional needs.
Edited by hlynn 2013-12-23 8:00 PM
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| Morab76 - 2013-12-23 3:48 PM
And are these articles and websites backed by unbiased research? Is there an agenda on the part of those involved? Are the articles peer reviewed?
Soybeans have been a valuable and safe source of quality protein and fats for generations. Millions of horses compete and live very long, healthy lives who are on soybean. I have a 32 and a 33 year old who have had soybean meal added to their diet for 16 years.
Before jumping on the "oh my gosh, we're killing our horses train," take a hard look at the source.
Agreed! |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | Wow, really not trying to confuse the issue here. My point is this. Soy is now almost all GMO, and all that has been processed for fat that is used in the US for feed is solvent extracted. The GMO part has not historically been the case. In this way Soy has changed, in my opinion, and I personally do not use it if an alternative is possible. If you like it use it. But don't compare it to what you fed 16 years ago. Second, I limit starch and sugars to levels below what many feed products consider "low starch" in the whole diet. This is based on a feed program that companies that have invested in another direction don 't want you to consider. That is fine. Oats in a program is fine, to a point. I added one pound of oats to Stingrays feeding program over one year ago, and Sherry still is sticking with that recommendation. That is all I have been trying to say. There are a lot of things in life that are good, to a point. If you can look at a tag on a bag of feed from a "well known and reputable feed company" that lists a bunch of Unidentified "byproducts" as ingredients, and tell me that they are being up front about what you are feeding your horse, I think you are kidding yourself. |
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 Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | I want to avoid soy and corn for my horses after learning about them.
I sprout, soak or sour any grains I eat to make them more digetible and to reduce the minerals they tie up.
I wonder if I should do the same with grains I feed to my horses. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1150
Location: LaCygne, KS | Used2B - 2013-12-23 8:02 PM Morab76 - 2013-12-23 3:48 PM And are these articles and websites backed by unbiased research? Is there an agenda on the part of those involved? Are the articles peer reviewed?
Soybeans have been a valuable and safe source of quality protein and fats for generations. Millions of horses compete and live very long, healthy lives who are on soybean. I have a 32 and a 33 year old who have had soybean meal added to their diet for 16 years.
Before jumping on the "oh my gosh, we're killing our horses train," take a hard look at the source. Agreed!
AGREE ALSO!!
I have a masters degree in Animal Science and a minor in animal nutrition. The article referrenced to above is about 95% TOTAL B S. The nutritionists working for all the major (and many of the regional) feed companies have PHD's in animal nutrition and know what they are doing. Soybean meal (SBM) has been used for DECADES to boost the protien level in animal feed and balance the diet. Most grains run 8-9% protien and much grass hay is that or less. SBM at 44-47%protien is added to complete feed or the daily ration at 1-2 pounds/day to end up with a desired level, be it 10%, 12% or whatever. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | Well there you go. Not saying not to use Soy. In fact I said use it if you like it. Just saying I don't, and decades of soy use do not matter if the ingredient has changed through genetic modification. Did you know that over 20 countries will not allow GMO feeds to be imported into their country? The bottom line is that most people don't have a clue what is in their feed if they read a least cost formulated label. But, horses are forgiving, or we humans would have killed them long ago. If you think that the nutritionists still decide what goes into many horse feeds, and not the bean counters , why do you think so many have gone to least cost formulation and away from fixed formulation. Least cost formulation is standard today, money driven, and not nutritionally driven. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I think I have contributed all I have to say on this issue, I will back away before it goes any farther south. I really don't think horses are dropping by the hundreds because there may be soy in their feed. I do think some horses may have sensitivities to soy. As such I simply made the comment that I don't feed or formulate with it for horses in favor of other options. Every protein source has issues, and soy has it's share. Nice forum thread though, and lots of opinions. This is a good thing. |
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