fidleyspromise
Well-Known Member
I have 2 natives (I'm sure you all know this by now) 
Highland has crap feet. Shod all round and we did try taking shoes off a couple of years ago but farrier (who I trust) advised to put them back on as her feet were much worse without them.
I don't like asking questions of the professionals and feel uncomfortable as though I'm undermining them. - not just farrier but same with vets etc.
So, I want to learn more and am currently reading as many threads as I can find. Stuff in feed just plain confuse me.
She is currently out 24/7 with one other in a small paddock (just under an acre) and they've eaten the grass down - this is their winter paddock with nothing grazing on it in summer. - this is on a slight hill so there's little mud here. They stand in one corner occassionally so its muddy but not excessive.
I then have 2 summer paddocks which are just under an acre each and I rotate the ponies round these, so hey always have grass.
Highland gets formula4feet in a treat ball and currently has ad-lib hay.
New Forest is barefoot, has good feet, gets d+h high fibre nuts in a treat ball (so that she gets something when Highland is fed), and also has ad-lib hay.
Would I be reccommended to add anything to their feeds to help hooves? Should I leave the New Forest as her feet are ok anyway?
Any articles / websites you can direct me to? Preferably with no buzz words as I do struggle with things not written simply. I am aiming to keep the highland shod although want to try and keep New Forest barefoot if I can.
Many Thanks All hints and tips appreciated.
Highland has crap feet. Shod all round and we did try taking shoes off a couple of years ago but farrier (who I trust) advised to put them back on as her feet were much worse without them.
I don't like asking questions of the professionals and feel uncomfortable as though I'm undermining them. - not just farrier but same with vets etc.
So, I want to learn more and am currently reading as many threads as I can find. Stuff in feed just plain confuse me.
She is currently out 24/7 with one other in a small paddock (just under an acre) and they've eaten the grass down - this is their winter paddock with nothing grazing on it in summer. - this is on a slight hill so there's little mud here. They stand in one corner occassionally so its muddy but not excessive.
I then have 2 summer paddocks which are just under an acre each and I rotate the ponies round these, so hey always have grass.
Highland gets formula4feet in a treat ball and currently has ad-lib hay.
New Forest is barefoot, has good feet, gets d+h high fibre nuts in a treat ball (so that she gets something when Highland is fed), and also has ad-lib hay.
Would I be reccommended to add anything to their feeds to help hooves? Should I leave the New Forest as her feet are ok anyway?
Any articles / websites you can direct me to? Preferably with no buzz words as I do struggle with things not written simply. I am aiming to keep the highland shod although want to try and keep New Forest barefoot if I can.
Many Thanks
All hints and tips appreciated.