Forage analysis question (slightly Barefoot...)

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Tinypony

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It's a bit difficult for me to arrange this as I'm using hay from 3 different sources. Just wondering, would you get the lot analysed, or if not what would be a safe mix of minerals etc that you might feed "to be on the safe side" without having analysis done?
This might be of more interest to Barefoot Taliban members that the No Shoe No Horse clique.
Or maybe not... who knows?
 
There are two supplements the barefoot taliban :D recommend if forage balancing isn't practical, one is Metabalance by equimins (not on website, you have to phone them for it) or pro hoof on ebay :)
 
I may be wrong but I thought your horses were out 24/7 Tinypony? If so and you are supplementing with hay I'd get your grass tested first.
Salt and magnesium are two for starters. Tbh I wouldn't worry unless you are having problems. Having said that, the more I've learned the more problems I see that went over my head previously. lol
 
Out 24/7, but not a lot of grass at the moment, I think their main intake is their hay. Two lots of feet looking great. One lot of feet just not quite getting there. A tendency to flare even with careful maintenance of the balance and bevel. Something just not quite "right" re hoof health. Hoof infection goes and then fights back as well. Tried Thunderbrook, not a lot of difference. Now thinking along the lines of Fast Fibre, with a bit of Top Chop Lite for bulk, and building on that. Considering magnesium because of the spring grass issue. Not too worried about eating frosty grass because evidence (poo!) points to them happily munching their ad-lib hay and not much else. This is also also itchy pony, worms not the issue, but still scratching bum on a handy big post. (No point fencing post off, he has a very large field perimiter to choose from if I do that, and the posts aren't as robust as his favourite one!). He is also the veteran in the group at 18-19 ish.
Re the forage analysis question, as much as I'm wondering what to get analysed, I'm aware that a lot of people wouldn't know where to start with this, or won't want to do it. So the answer to this might help a lot of people.

How about the No Shoe No Horse clique? Do you think it will catch on? (tongue in cheek OK?).
 
I guess I'm in a similar position to you, I just got my grass analysed in the end prior to that's was supplementing zinc, copper, mag ox and salt as apparently these are the bits that are most typically lacking in the UK.
 
Amanda - How/what quantities of Mag or salt though?

I asked this previously and the response I got was can OD on minerals, so if you can't get analysis done, what's the best plan of action?

TinyPony - I'm in a similar position to you. My ponies are hyper at the moment, but I'm debating leaving them on current diets due to the stress of trying to figure out should they/shouldnt they be on other diets.
 
foxy1 said:
There are two supplements the barefoot taliban :D recommend if forage balancing isn't practical, one is Metabalance by equimins (not on website, you have to phone them for it) or pro hoof on ebay :)
Click to expand...

could you tell me

how much they are
whats the difference
how long they last 16hhMW

PLEASE :D
 
ps. Although giving too much isn't the best both salt and magnesium are fairly safe in overdose. Just give less or stop if you notice loose poos etc. magnesium can cause this if not needed. I reduce the dose till the droppings are normal or stop.

It is all so very complicated as horses browse and micro minerals are important too. None of it is an exact science and to some extent some of us have to use trial and error a bit too. Just check up on safe amounts and make sure you're not giving way too much. Some minerals like selenium are more potentially toxic in my limited understanding. Employing an independent nutritionist is the best way to go really but has obvious cost implications.

Also to add. Don't forget the sugar and carb levels in your forages including grass. These ime have the single biggest effect on hooves.
 
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