Cal at a riding club camp in March 2013 – powered by a forage based diet and a bespoke mineral mix matched to the forage he eats. He’s blooming with health, calm but with plenty of energy, and jumping for fun.
Cal is an 8 year old Irish Sports Horse. I bought him 2 years ago as a youngster to event but in January last year he broke a carpal bone. Eight weeks in a splint were followed by more box rest, then in-hand work, a slow return to ridden work and jumping by November. I am pretty sure he was predisposed to the injury by his very flat feet so tried remedial shoeing, and then as his heels got more and more run under, took the decision to try him barefoot to improve his foot structure and balance.
I have been feeding a forage focussed diet with balanced minerals to both my horses for 5 years now. Paddy, my other horse hunts and events and is in heavy work. He is also barefoot and his feet are amazing.
I have learned a lot over the last five years about feeding horses for optimum health and performance. I would advise all horse owners to look into the ratio approach to balancing minerals. A forage focussed approach rather than broad spectrum is defininetly the way to enhance performance and maintain and support excellent horse health.
Fran Mcnicol
Photograph opposite courtesy of Carol Corbett Photography
