Grazing on chalky land and bare feet

RPM

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16 October 2009
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My horses have all been barefoot very successfully for about 5 years and I am used to managing grass intake, keeping sugars and starches in their diet low etc.

I used to feed magnesium but phased it out over the last year or so and the horses seemed no worse without it - in fact their foot scores (EP trimmed) have improved, although I think this is most likely a function of time barefoot and regular exercise over a variety of surfaces. And staying at a suitable condition score!

We are moving a few miles to different grazing and going from a farm with mixed geology (but no chalk) just before the coastal plain meets the Downs to a Downland farm where the grazing is on chalk.

I'm thinking I may need to adjust their diet as this might affect the calcium/magnesium ratio in it. Any thoughts?
 
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