Can I ride in the snow??????? help!!!

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Javabb94

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Due to the snowy weather I havent been able to ride Java for a week and a half now and with no let up in sight until friday when the weathers supposed to get milder, can I ride in the snow?

The field I ride in, isnt compacted snow, its nice and fluffy with about 6". Would it be safe to ride in? and what could I use in his hoofs to stop snow balling up?

Obviously I would'nt jump or anything, I would just be walking and trotting to keep him exercised until the ground is suitable enough to jump
 
I tend to not ride now because of the roads and possible ice and slipping and my girl has front shoes on so worried about the compacting bit.

In the old days we always used to ride in the snow on our unshod horses... Used to love riding through the woods with fresh snow - priceless!

If you are taking it slowly and your field is level, no frozen pitfalls, you may be ok if snow doesn't build up under feet...
 
mmmm, tricky one this. The chances are that you and your horse would be safe. But if it does go wrong, you really could do either yourself or your horse some serious damage, pulled ligaments etc. Is it a risk worth taking? I am itching to get out there again, but not at the expense of having a broken horse for the sake of a coupe of weeks work. But God, its tempting!!!
 
I really wanted to ride yesterday.

I had made up my mind not to hack out on the roads incase there was ice and either we slipped or a car skidded into us.

So, went to the field armed with hoof pick and lard, picked out huge iceballs and larded up her feet. Intending to lead her down to the school and ride.

As soon as she put her larded feet back down in the snow - a huge iceball!!! - it was instantaneous - not a slow build up, no need to walk a few steps - so that was it - no riding until this nasty old snow goes :(

So, in answer to your question - I don't know, I suppose it depends on your horses susceptibility to iceballs.
 
Kirsty+Java said:
Due to the snowy weather I havent been able to ride Java for a week and a half now and with no let up in sight until friday when the weathers supposed to get milder, can I ride in the snow?

The field I ride in, isnt compacted snow, its nice and fluffy with about 6". Would it be safe to ride in? and what could I use in his hoofs to stop snow balling up?

Obviously I would'nt jump or anything, I would just be walking and trotting to keep him exercised until the ground is suitable enough to jump
Click to expand...

Tempted to post pics of my BIG bruises to convince you not to!!!!!!!!!!
 
I went up on Sunday wanting to ride, having gone up each day just to pat my horses and stuff them full of treats. I decided discretion was the better part of valour having watched how the snow balled up - and I just didn't know what the ground would be like further away from the yard. The other deciding factor was that our yard was slippery and I would have had to get on from outside - and both mine are liable to be more than a little hairy to get on for the first time.
 
Hi,
Of course you can ride in the snow! It's great for the horses to work in fairly deep snow as they build up their lifter muscles, something a lot of horses lack strength in, and it's perfectly safe as long as you give the horse time to get used to it. I grew up in scandinavia and if we didnt ride in snow we wouldn't ride all winter, not many people around my area had indoor schools. there are special soles to put under hooves to prevent buildup of snow, also some that you attach yourself (i.e the farrier doesnt have to). but you can just use some vaseline or grease to line the inside of hooves. If it does build up a bit it falls out when it gets too big, they dont tend to get too bothered by it as long as they get to go slow the first couple of times to get used to it. Note that a lot of horses get more sparkly in the snow.. :) but it's softer to fall on! Just keep off icy roads if possible...
It's beatiful to ride in, so get out there and enjoy!
 
fruit&#956 said:
...there are special soles to put under hooves to prevent buildup of snow, also some that you attach yourself (i.e the farrier doesnt have to). but you can just use some vaseline or grease to line the inside of hooves. ...
Click to expand...

Lard/grease didn't work for me, but do you have any piccies of these 'special soles'?
 
Please be careful.
I bought the horses in yesterday and my mums poor horse was really struggling with 2 inch platforms of snow.
He was sensible about it, but adding a rider to the mix woukld have been dangerous.
Guess it depends on your snow, and whether your horse has shoes on.
Goodluck xxx I can't wait for the thaw, its just painful now......
 
Thanks everyone! I may have a gentle walk for a few minutes and see how often the snow balls up in his feet if it's instant I will have to wait till the snow goes!! He does have shoes on which makes it worse :/ our stable Is in the field so he doesn't have to walk over slippy concrete which is a plus
I can't ride till Wednesday anyway So hopefully snow will start to disappear although it's been snowing quite heavy again tonight !
 
I ride in the snow. I rode out for all of 5 minutes on the road today before the snow started again and I turned back (cant see if flakes blowing in your eyes). As long as you know the field is flat it's fine to do a nice collected canter. The snow seems to make them really come back on their hocks and lift their shoulders :)
 
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