Fetlock-deep mud...

[teddy_]

I have moved my horse to a lovely DIY yard, but there is one catch - I have to walk him through about 100 yards of fetlock-deep, claggy mud to get to his paddock. His actual paddock is OK, albeit undulating and slippery at the moment.

Am I being completely ridiculous by worrying about this in terms of the strain on his legs, and or shoes getting sucked off? My trainer says I am, and none of the other liveries seem to care but I feel anxious about it.

My welly almost got sucked off this morning whilst I was fiddling around with the gate for example.

 

[mini-eventer]

I wouldn't worry hugely about walking through it. If it was in his field I would be more concerned, he would be more at risk hoolieing about in it.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I promise the shoes won't get sucked off! That doesn't happen. Shoes come off in mud when the front leg doesn't lift as fast and the shoe gets stood on, just mud won't grip the shoe, separately from the hoof, strongly enough to pull it off. Unlikely to happen at walk too.

Just leading through will be fine and very unlikely to cause strain. He's not slopping around in it all day or galloping through it continuously.

I really wouldn't worry. Just watch your wellies and don't get stuck yourself while leading him...

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

His legs will feel no more strain than your ankles will.. so if you feel like you might snap an ankle ligament when you walk through it then I would be concerned, but as it sounds - no, you'll be just fine, I'm sure.

 

[Birker2020]

I have moved my horse to a lovely DIY yard, but there is one catch - I have to walk him through about 100 yards of fetlock-deep, claggy mud to get to his paddock. His actual paddock is OK, albeit undulating and slippery at the moment.

Am I being completely ridiculous by worrying about this in terms of the strain on his legs, and or shoes getting sucked off? My trainer says I am, and none of the other liveries seem to care but I feel anxious about it.

My welly almost got sucked off this morning whilst I was fiddling around with the gate for example.

Shoes don't get sucked off by mud, this is a misconception. Wellies come off because they are not secured on our feet in the same way as shoes are for horses.

What happens is that the horses foot is exposed to mud or wet and the horn becomes like a sponge. The nail holes around the nails then get bigger as the horn softens and weakens thus loosening the shoe. Think of your fingernails when you soak in the bath for too long. They get soft. Same with a horses hoof.

The best thing to do is buy a hoof hardener to improve the molecular structure of the horn. I use Keratex hoof hardener on my horses feet as it hardens the horn and prevents it taking in excess moisture. It actually improves the quality of the horn and the shoes stand better chance of staying on.

I did start panicking when my horse lost a shoe on a 'cricket pitch' paddock at the time, but this was because he was weak behind and stepped on his shoe with plastic bell boots on that afforded diddly squat protection.

If you are concerned about your horse pulling off a shoe like Paver Follis suggests then invest in some really good over reach boots. I have 2 pairs of the Premier Equine no turn over, no spinning ballistic material boots. One pair which dries over night at home on the radiator ready for visiting the yard after work and the other pair washed and taken off when he comes in ready to be put on the radiator that night. After wearing every day for 2-3 months, there is only a nick in the one.

I haven't dared risk the lovely clickety clack over reach boots that Northern Hare so kindly donated to my cause as I don't think they would last five seconds in the mud by his gateway but I shall use them in the Summer for definite!

Northern Hare, I shall never forget your kindness x

 

[chocolategirl]

To be honest, I’d just be grateful my horse was getting turnout? if you read some of the threads on this forum, it’s apparent there are A LOT that don’t. As others have said, just walking through deep mud won’t do any harm at all, and from your perspective, just make sure your wellies fit snuggly!?

 

[SEL]

I had that last winter at my yard. I gave up trying to lead them through it and used to unclip leadropes at the start of the track and let them make their own way down. They'd pick their way through OK. One had a suspensory injury and it didn't get any worse from picking through the bog.

With my own place I have mud control mats and they are amazing.

 

[rara007]

He’ll be fine.

 

[Leandy]

Fetlock deep doesn't even sound that deep to me! He will be fine. You may need some different boots!

 

[Jellymoon]

I wouldn’t worry about walking him through this, think of the hunters that will be cantering and jumping in deeper mud! It’s just annoying for you and your wellies!
Like others said, at least his field is ok and the YO is ok with them going out.

 

[teddy_]

Thank you everyone - mind at rest now!