Strong Clean Balance, Resveratrol and other feeding choices – what does the science say?
Subsidies or empty promises?
Strong Clean Balance, resveratrol, alfalfa, omega-3 – some swear by them, others call them a waste of money. In this article, you’ll get a fact-based review so you can see what works, what’s questionable – and what your horse might not need at all.
Toxin binders are among the most debated supplements, and Strong Clean Balance is one of the best-known examples in Denmark. But what is the reason for such products being used in Denmark? Why are the doses different here than in other countries? And how do they fit into a modern feeding strategy together with vitamins, minerals, fiber and plant substances such as resveratrol?
Here you will get a fact-based overview of eight topics that often cause debate among horse owners – from toxin binders and alfalfa to omega-3 and resveratrol – so you can make your feed choices on an informed basis.
Toxin binders – myth or must?
According to the manufacturer, Strong Clean Balance is marketed as a supplement that can support cleansing and stabilizing the intestinal system, including using Mycofix® and plant-based ingredients. The manufacturer states that the product does not bind nutrients and can therefore be used over a longer period of time. However, there are no independent scientific studies documenting these specific effects.
Toxin binders were originally developed for countries like the USA and Australia, where certain grass species contain endophytes – fungi in the grass blade that can cause problems for horses.
In these countries, toxin binders are typically used in very small amounts – around 8 grams daily for a 500 kg horse – and are adapted to the toxins known to occur in the area.
In Denmark we do not have the same endophyte problem, but challenges with feed hygiene (e.g. dust or mold in roughage) have led some to use much higher doses, often over a longer period of time. There is no documentation that this practice at higher doses has the same safety basis as the lower doses used in other countries.
Grass, mushrooms and “spring volatility”
Endophytes are not found in the grass species we normally use for roughage in Denmark. Danish horses therefore only rarely encounter them – typically if they graze on imported or unusual grass species.
In countries with endophyte problems, the symptoms can vary – from reproductive challenges to changed behavior – but here in Denmark it is far more likely that a “spring-flying” horse is reacting to the energy in the fresh spring grass than to endophytes.
Yeast and probiotics – what actually happens in the horse's intestines?
Yeast products have been studied in particular for slaughter animals and in some studies on horses with high grain intake, where it can stabilize the intestinal flora under stress.
In frugal horses with low starch intake, the effect is less documented – and in some cases, certain types of yeast can stimulate the immune system in an undesirable way.
Probiotics with lactobacilli are often used for diarrhea, but in a gut with a lot of starch or sugar, overgrowth of lactobacilli and streptococci can actually lower pH and negatively alter the balance. Therefore, it is important to use such agents with care and only when there is a clear cause.
You can read a lot more about yeast right here.
Microminerals, vitamins and the horse's daily shield
Danish roughage is often low in certain microminerals – especially selenium – as well as some vitamins.
For a 500 kg horse, the maintenance requirement is, for example, approximately (based on NRC and KER standards as well as data from Mad Barn and Vitaflex, rounded to the nearest whole number):
- Selenium: 1.9–2 mg
- Copper: 110 mg
- Zinc: 340 mg
- Vitamin E: approximately 375 IU
- Vitamin A: approximately 37,500 IU
- Vitamin D: approximately 3,750 IU
During recovery or increased needs, it may be relevant to feed slightly above maintenance levels for nutrients that contribute to normal immune function and tissue recovery.
Research from, among others, SLU shows that roughage in the Nordic countries often falls below these levels for selenium, copper and zinc.
Alfalfa – leaf parts or stems?
Alfalfa is not just alfalfa. Products with many leaf parts have shown in studies a positive effect on certain gut bacteria, including Akkermansia , which is associated with a balanced metabolic profile.
Alfalfa stalks, on the other hand, provide longer chewing time, which also has advantages. Therefore, it may be worth considering which type best fits into your horse's feeding plan.
However, the protein coverage from alfalfa requires larger amounts than from, for example, soybean meal – typically three times as much for the same protein content.
Omega-3 from the source
Flaxseed oil and other vegetable sources of omega-3 can have a shorter shelf life and be sensitive to oxidation, especially when the oil is added to bags of pelleted roughage.
Fish oil can vary greatly in quality, depending on the fish's own diet. RC O3 Algal Oil delivers omega-3 directly from the source – the same source that the fish get it from – and provides a steady supply of DHA and EPA.
Resveratrol – the plant compound with many uses and when to use it
Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is naturally found in, among other things, grape skins and Japanese knotweed.
It has been the subject of great interest in research and nutrition due to its antioxidative properties and its role in supporting normal blood sugar balance.
Eva Lydeking recommends resveratrol especially for horses where you want to support a stable blood sugar profile – for example, when there is suspicion of metabolic challenges such as EMS or in horses that need extra focus on metabolic balance.
The supplement can be purchased as pure resveratrol, e.g. here: BULK Resveratrol – and is typically dosed at around 1 g daily for a large horse.
You can find much more about resveratrol here.
📝 The simple feeding plan (500 kg horse, 3–15 years)
A clear plan that covers vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber could look like this:
- 400–450 g Peak Performance (in the first months if needed)
- +Fiber Mash 500 g–1 kg daily, possibly combined with alfalfa or beet pellets
- Roughage with low sugar content
- Salt: at least 50 g daily
- Optional omega-3 oil ½ dl (if not already covered)
- Possibly resveratrol 1 g daily
You can find much more about how we look at resveratrol – and what we're looking for in new studies – right here if you want to delve deeper into the topic.
The plan can be adjusted according to the horse's weight, activity level and roughage analysis – and can often keep feeding both simple and effective.
If you need help, book a phone consultation right here
