Eliminating Phytoestrogens

[floppyammy]

Looking for advice/suggestions on how to eliminate phytoestrogens from my mare’s diet.

March 2025/Aug 2025 16 year old maiden mare develops two cases of mastitis in a 5 month period.

She is on a dry lot, has no access to clover or pasture. I’m thinking she may be sensitive/allergic to phytoestrogens in her diet - Flax, Clover, Soy, Alfalfa

She is currently on:
1 lb Ration Balancer (2 of the first 3 ingredients are soy) Poulin Grain – E-TEC Balancer®
1 Cup Omega Horseshine per day Omega Horseshine - Omega Fields
She gets 1 flake of Alfalfa when trailering
Unlimited grass hay in a slow-feeder, 24/7

Obviously eliminating the Omega Horseshine is a no-brainer, as is eliminating the alfalfa.
Finding a ration balancer without Soy, Alfalfa or Flax is difficult, if not impossible.
Could I substitute a small ration of beetpulp based senior feed with a Vermont Blend or California Trace?

Looking for suggestions from the COTH experts.

[Simkie]

I pulled my horses off commercial feed awhile ago, in part out of concern about soy, and have only seen positive changes. Yeah, you could totally use Vermont Blend or similar, and a grass hay pellet or beet pulp.

I also supplement vitamin e, extra copper and zinc, and flax. Obvs the flax is out for you, but you could add one of the fish omega 3 sources or chia? (If you still wanted to cover the omega 3 angle.)

It’s very marginally trickier because of the soaking time but still very manageable. I start soaking when I turnout in the morning during the cooler months, and about an hour before I bring in during the summer. Below freezing days require hot water or soaking in the house.

[floppyammy]

I’m in a boarding barn; there is no soaking option.
I can use a small amount of a commercial feed as a carrier for supplements, that’s about the only option available to me.

[Simkie]

That does make it more difficult. Will they wet feed at all? Beet pulp shreds could work if so.

Depending on how sensitive your horse is to nsc, you could even use a handful or two of oats. Maybe with the Vermont blend pellet?

[luvmyhackney]

Maybe try this feed as a carrier: https://www.chewy.com/bluebonnet-feeds-limited-ingredient/dp/1093030?

[floppyammy]

@luvmyhackney

Maybe try this feed as a carrier: https://www.chewy.com/bluebonnet-feeds-limited-ingredient/dp/1093030?

Wow that is a great suggestion @luvmyhackney! Appreciate it!