Highly sensitive pasterns and fetlocks... help!

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Ginn

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As title, both horses have had hugely sensitive fetlocks and pasterns when being brought in from fields since it snowed here on Tuesday, worse in back legs.

We have a lot of snow here so I suspect it is ice burns or similar....

Cannot pick out hinds until they have stood in (deep) stable beds for 10 mins as poor things hit the roof as soon as you touch the back of the pasterns and fetlocks. Fortunately Tills will hold her legs up for me to pick her feet out if I tap gently on the front of her cannon bones but Max is another matter.
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Don't really want to keep them in 24/7 if possible as yard and fields are no problem to walk on, but realise this may be what it comes to
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Other than smothering their legs completely with grease or hoof oil is can anyone think of anything else to try?

And has anyone else experienced this or similar?
 
To be honest it sounds like a barrier cream of some description or udder cream, pig oil or vaseline may be the way forward as it will provide a protective layer for them but you will still be able to pick their feet out - albeit a bit messily.

I wouldn't put hoof oil directly onto skin in case it causes a reaction.

Good luck, sounds nasty and I do sympathise - my sec D isn't brilliant with his back legs at the best of times and is very sensitive with the weather like this.
 
Hadn't thought of a barrier cream, will rummage through the tackroom for some in the morning. Failing that we have industrial sized tubs of petroleum jelly (vaseline) so can try that instead. Feel very mean, Tills was sensitive yesterday but I just put it down to the fact she can be a bit dim at times and was feeling the cold but today I realised it was definately more than that, especially with Max having such a reaction too.

Neither has ever had issues with frozen ground or soaked muddy fields before so I think it must be a reaction to the extremely cold snow....

Turnout boots are a no go as cannot get out to buy any (would have a 20 mile trek as not the sort of thing local place sells) and no point having mail order as post has ground to a halt here with icy roads - once snow is gone it won't be a problem.

That and Tilly would remove them (she is far too clever in that respect and has mastered removing bandages with her teeth so boots would be a doddle).
 
I think vaseline is probably as effective as a barrier cream. My own personal pref is Sudocrem as its not so 'sticky' - mud clings to vaseline on my feathered Sec D like the proverbial but like you can't get out to get any at the moment due to the luverly weather...
 
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