first timer with snow!

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ellis9905

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this is my first experience of owning a horse in the snow- so could someone please advise:

do you do anything/use anything to stop snow balling on ponies feet whilst riding in snow?? hoping snow will still be round in am for my daughter to have her first snowy ride

and

when turing out do you put anything on feet/legs?

thank you from a newbie!! :)
 
If the horse doesn't have shoes, snowballing shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, second vaseline. I don't put anything on the legs for turning out. In my experience, horses tend to love snow! :D
 
as above

re turnout ... I dont as they all have hairy legs and it protects / keeps the skin warm and dry.... whether mud or snow I can part the feathers and find snow white hair and dry skin ;)

plus if its boots / bandages they can get wet and chafe


have fin with pone and riding :D
 
OK - well I'm afraid it depends what type of snow it is, whether it balls in the hooves, or not.

Vaseline may help, and yes, barefoot will be better. BUT....

Just look at what is happening when you try, and use common sense. If you've applied Vaseline and it's still balling, then give up.

If the snow isn't going to hang around for long, then just leave the legs. If it is, put a little oil on them (pig, baby, olive, whatever!)

As Tazzle says, leave boots and bandages well away. :)

PS - in snow, I always carry a hoof-pick in my pocket.
 
Bit of a silly question re the Vaseline but I've never tried it before... Do u just line the inside of the hoof & frog or literally pack the hoof with it? X
 
thanks for all the advice :) pony is barefoot, and to be honest daughter will just be walking around our field- so will prob only be 15 mins

fingers crossed it stay all white and pretty til morning!
 
ellis9905 said:
thanks for all the advice :) pony is barefoot, and to be honest daughter will just be walking around our field- so will prob only be 15 mins

fingers crossed it stay all white and pretty til morning!
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Then I'm sure you will be fine and I hope you have a lovely snowy ride! :)
 
ummmmm seeing as horses have 4 legs and have been around for a huge amount of years in many countries coping with many extreme conditions im light hearted with snow - ok if shoes maybe vaseline if riding esp with a child but other than that hey they cope well and a damn sight better than us - mine go out all conditions only 1 is rugged as other is a fat native :) and I have ridden galloped and ummmmm jumped in snow over the years - trust their 4 legs lol they work fanatastically :) x
 
babymare said:
ummmmm seeing as horses have 4 legs and have been around for a huge amount of years in many countries coping with many extreme conditions im light hearted with snow - ok if shoes maybe vaseline if riding esp with a child but other than that hey they cope well and a damn sight better than us - mine go out all conditions only 1 is rugged as other is a fat native :) and I have ridden galloped and ummmmm jumped in snow over the years - trust their 4 legs lol they work fanatastically :) x
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Sorry, babymare, but I have to add this:

Yes, they CAN cope ok in snow and I will always turned mine out in it if at all possible. BUT if ridden, be careful. Like you, I have ridden, galloped and jumped in snow, but only when the conditions are right. (And here I mean over the last 40 years).

Yes, their legs work fantastically, until the wrong type of snow means they don't....
 
Be a bit cautious about what's under the snow, both the oh and I managed to fall down totally concealed rabbit holes while walking the dog today.
 
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