Barefoot advice...supplements and boots?

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KatB

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Never thought Id be asking this.... BUT my mare is currently bare foot and actually I wouldn't mind her staying like this for a while... She's sound on a surface and can walk across mildly stony areas without an issue, but is sensitive to very stony tracks, so may need boots to hack in. What are the best?

Also, I want to make sure she has the best support for feet. She is currently fed a lo cal balancer, speeding beet, linseed and on a low sugar diet ( very little grass and a Haynet in the day) what's the best supplement? I was looking a proceed, or formula 4 feet?

Thanks :)
 
One of my lad's gets his shoes off over the winter. I have tried Boa boots and Old Macs and prefer the Old macs. Boas were fine until I lost confidence in them after the tensioning wire (or whatever you call it) snapped during a hack. Apparently they are prone to this, if you overtighten them. I had used them for awhile by then so not sure if this was to blame or not.


A friend has cavallo sports boots and rates them
 
Easyboot trails or Cavallo simples are great starter boots esp while feet may change shape. I love the easyboot gloves I have for my tb but they have to be fitted VERY precisely and are a nightmare to get on the first couple of times (I was actually sweating after the first time!).

Feed wise I'd suggest ditching the balancer and look at the forageplus supplements. I believe there is a new hoof support one out that is probably your best bet. If you are willing to take the hassle you can buy the individual minerals from them and make it up cheaper than buying ready-made, or you could go to the gold standard of getting your forage analysed and a feed plan done for you :)
 
I rate cavallos. Bought mine before the sport were launched and still ok.

Wouldn't recommend formula for feet. Doesn't sound as if you need anything else but if you wanted to add anything, pro hoof is formulated with the UK barefoot horse in mind. I just give mine a mineral lick rich in magnesium.
 
I find that Easyboot gloves are great and less like welly boots than some makes. However the sizing needs to be more accurate than other hoof boots and they do not make them for huge feet(but anything form pony to warmblood should work)
They are fairly easy to get on,a little trickier to get off(a horse will stamp them on for you,but will take more training to get the horse to help you pull them off,although this can be done!)
You may need to tweak a little with power straps and/or atheltic tape to keep them on a powerfully built,properly engaged horse and you may need to hold on to the pommel in sitting trot because your horse will have way more spring in his/her stride!
With regards to feeding I would recommend Forage Plus summer balancer or, if your are really keen, get your forage analysed to ensure optimum mineral levels.
 
Pro Balance is the economy version of pro hoof and seems to work well.

I swear by Cavallos - cheap, easy to size and fit and stay on through everything!
 
I have gloves, they took a bit of practice but can now whip them happily on and off mid ride if needed. They haven't moved even if they don't fit quite so well as his hooves are now a bit of a funny shape! They do a fit kit for sizing.. my trimmer had one so that we could pick the best one and once his growth line has grown out I will get him refitted :).
 
Lol I've been considering this for roo too Kat!
Mineral licks - what/where do people get these? I've just got old school salt licks up at the moment, is there a particular brand of mineral lick that people rate?
 
I rate rocky five star and rocky Laminshield.

Expensive and you can buy cheaper magnesium rich licks from countrywide stores.
 
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