Transition to barefoot (another one!)

[little_critter]

I'm umming and ahhing about trying my mare barefoot.
Just one question - she's currently shod all round, would it be better to remove back shoes at one farrier visit then fronts at the next so it's not so much of a shock to her system?

 

[charliejet]

I have found that it can help to take backs of first but in the meantime before removing the fronts especially make sure the diet is as good as it can be to support the transition.

So say you were going to remove the shoes after the next shoeing cycle, get the diet tip top now so the feet have a better chance.
You may already have the horse on a barefoot friendly diet anyway but it seems to be the most important aspect.

 

[little_critter]

I think the diet is fairly barefoot friendly anyway: Baileys Lo Cal balancer and Hi-Fi lite (plus cod liver oil, cider apple vinegar and cortaflex).
Once the grass improves I'll cut out the Hi-Fi.

 

[KatB]

I'd cut out the Lo Cal, as it's molassed, and also the Hifi for the same reason. Speedi beet, fast fibre or other non molassed low starch feeds are worth looking at if your horse keeps weight naturally, and I'd drop thecod liver oil and replace with micronised linseed

 

[little_critter]

The cod liver oil is for her joints so I'll be keeping that in.
I only feed a balancer to make sure she is receiving her vits & mins.
If I cut out the balancer I'll have to feed a supplement and then something to put the supplement in.