Riding in Snow, how to prevent snow/ice balling in the shoes.

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Penks

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Lots of snow here these last few days!

Riding in the snow, does anyone have any tips about how to prevent snow/iceballing in the shoes? (the build up of hard packed snow/ice in the shoes causing them to look like they are walking on stilts) ETA *Also not just riding, they get it in the field as well altho it doesnt seem to be to the same extent. I have never seen it in the ones that are barefoot presumably for obvious reasons!

In previous years I have smeared vaseline liberally into the sole of the hoof and had a hoof pick with me at all times and frequently jumped off to pick out to try and minimise it, however i would say it has limited effect? Can you get ??? hoof pad inserts for the shoes to prevent it happening or is this something that only the farrier could do for you? Does anyone have any other tips?
 
Take shoes off? Not very helpful am I?! But it does work, mine never gets it built up the way the shod horses do.
 
Definitely the rim pads linked above (also called hoof grip on the continent, of "Hufgrip" in German). Several people at our yard use them every winter. Only downside (according to the farrier) is that the shoe may not sit quite as tightly with the pads because the rubber layer between hoof and shoe allows a little bit of movement. You can usually re-use the pads for an entire season, so not a huge investment, around £20 for a full set.

They are now even sold on amazon! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hufeinlage-...e=UTF8&qid=1448980779&sr=8-2&keywords=hufgrip
Note: there are front and hind hoof versions.
 
Enfys said:
We can buy snow pads at saddlery stores. I just take shoes off for the winter, I don't put anything on the feet.

http://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/snow-pads-front-leg-each.html
Click to expand...

supsup said:
Definitely the rim pads linked above (also called hoof grip on the continent, of "Hufgrip" in German). Several people at our yard use them every winter. Only downside (according to the farrier) is that the shoe may not sit quite as tightly with the pads because the rubber layer between hoof and shoe allows a little bit of movement. You can usually re-use the pads for an entire season, so not a huge investment, around £20 for a full set.

They are now even sold on amazon! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hufeinlage-...e=UTF8&qid=1448980779&sr=8-2&keywords=hufgrip
Note: there are front and hind hoof versions.
Click to expand...


Thankfully the snow is all melted for now! Taking shoes off is not an options unfortunately, much as I would love to.
Thank you for the suggestions, the ones mentioned above, do you fit them yourself or does a farrier have to do it? Also, i can see how they give extra grip to the shoes and they will cover up some of the sole of the foot but not all so do they not still allow balling to happen albeit perhaps smaller scale??
 
Penks, mine would be fitted by my farrier if I used them.

I have never used them myself so I can't say whether the snow would still ball up or not, sorry.
 
The farrier has to fit them as they are nailed like a rim pad between shoe and hoof. The bit that goes between shoe and wall is like a very thin pad, but the bit that partially covers the sole is like a hollow rubber tube, about as thick as a shoe. The way it works is as the horse moves, the rubber tube compresses and bounces back, which pops out any snow that gets stuck in the middle. Also, it prevents the snow from making direct contact with the inside edge of the shoe, and the snow doesn't stick as well to the rubber/horn. So in short, no, the snow doesn't ball up, despite the open sole.
I usually take shoes off over winter, but have seen these first hand many times on horses on our yard (and have watched them being fitted by the farrier).
 
ester said:
Which? Most aren't designed to fit over shoes.
Click to expand...

I knew a horse that had old macs on whilst still shod, he was an older dressage horse and mostly worked in the school but would light hack once a week for a change of scenery/relax - needed pads to hack but the cheaper solution was just to pop the boots on for the hacking, so it can work with the cavallos or old macs which are more forgiving on fit :)
 
I've tried everything apart from the rims - unfortunately haven't found anything that really works in all types of snow!

Now when it snows, unless its fresh and powdery, I give up and ride in the school :)
 
Another vote for the hoof grips for shod horses. Used them through several winters in a very snowy part of Norway. We couldn't manage without them. It's a good investment with them being reusable.
 
Enfys said:
Penks, mine would be fitted by my farrier if I used them.

I have never used them myself so I can't say whether the snow would still ball up or not, sorry.
Click to expand...

supsup said:
The farrier has to fit them as they are nailed like a rim pad between shoe and hoof. The bit that goes between shoe and wall is like a very thin pad, but the bit that partially covers the sole is like a hollow rubber tube, about as thick as a shoe. The way it works is as the horse moves, the rubber tube compresses and bounces back, which pops out any snow that gets stuck in the middle. Also, it prevents the snow from making direct contact with the inside edge of the shoe, and the snow doesn't stick as well to the rubber/horn. So in short, no, the snow doesn't ball up, despite the open sole.
I usually take shoes off over winter, but have seen these first hand many times on horses on our yard (and have watched them being fitted by the farrier).
Click to expand...

MargotC said:
Another vote for the hoof grips for shod horses. Used them through several winters in a very snowy part of Norway. We couldn't manage without them. It's a good investment with them being reusable.
Click to expand...


Thanks everyone, have tried vaseline and lard in previous years and it only works for a very short time, like I said earlier, unfortunately going barefoot is not an option with this horse at the moment. Farrier is due soon so will speak to him about the shoe inserts/grips :)
 
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