Barefoot diet

[HKM]

Does anybody know if the barfoot diet is likely to reduce the amount of energy in my 5 year old gelding? He is quite laid back and he is currently fed on alfa A oil and endurance mix. Thanks

 

[Miss L Toe]

Most barefooters avoid branded mixes because they are loaded with sugars, maybe molasses, and one loses control of the feed intake.
People have different ideas of the diet, and there will be variation once each horse is on it.
Basically the horse needs a full tranche of mineral and vitamins plus micronised linseed meal, low sugars [this includes sweet lush grass], high fibre [non molassed sugar beet is useful.
For horses with good hoof quality one can start off with something like this:
More or less ad lib hay/haylage
100gm micronised linseed meal
80mg equimins Advance
1 kg non molassed sugar beet pulp.
My boy is on the lazy side, so when in very light work, he gets a pet scoop of oats, and if in light work he would get a bit more oats, which are high in fibre.
Alfalfa can be be a problem with some horses, causing footiness. look on ingredient list for "moglo" or "molasses"
To be honest, everyone is looking for a laid back five year old!, maybe he needs a few lessons to make sure he works "off the leg"

 

[cptrayes]

There's no such thing really as a "barefoot diet". The low sugar/low carb/high fibre diet is a good base for almost all horses. If you need more energy add oil and/or oats.

 

[HKM]

Thanks for the advice, I have not yet taken his shoes off but I am seriously considering it. He is responsive off the leg but I just feel he needs that little bit more energy. We will see how it goes

 

[Miss L Toe]

Thanks for the advice, I have not yet taken his shoes off but I am seriously considering it. He is responsive off the leg but I just feel he needs that little bit more energy. We will see how it goes

It is best to get him on to a good diet before removing shoes, re energy, a lot of horses just need more fitness, rather than more oats