Snow balling under / in hooves

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Those of you who are managing to get your horses out, how are you coping with the snow balling in thier feet?
I managed to get Hovis onto the grass last night for a brief walk around the menage (round the outside of the menage - the menage itself is an iceskating rink) but the snow under his feet was terrible. It was like the poor sod was on high heels.
So whats the secret?

 

[zoeshiloh]

Vaseline!! Smear all around the sole/frog and no snow will stick

 

[Chestnutmare]

vasaline/sudocrem and plenty of it....

 

[swellhillcottage]

I find the forward motion of trotting or cantering just flicks it out - walking probably wouldnt - just crack on LOL i have just done half an hour of trotting and cantering in the field and its about a foot and a half deep - mind you he is a big strong lad so not recommended for all .

Sharonxx

 

[teddyt]

I have tried everything and nothing works. once the horse is on stilts it usually drops out but then starts again!

 

[S14Tobin]

WD40. Works a dream, better than anything else I've ever found.... Can't remember why I know though... Wanders off to find a biccie...

 

[Theresa_F]

It is because you have a horse with huge feet and no doubt deep clefts from the clydie side.

Farra is not bad as she does not wear shoes, ditto Stinky.

Get some thick grease - goose grease or fat from Sunday roast is good as it also normally has some salt in it, and smear lots on the underside of the hoof. Make sure you put lots in the clefts.

 

[kinglouis]

hummm I'm having the same problem as mine is turned away in egg bar shoes which trap the snow beautifully! The vaseline works for the first snowball but seems to come out of his shoe attached to the snowball so it balls up again really quickly...so much for level turnout as reccommended by the vet!!! A norwegian friend say they use a product called gripper (?) in Norway which does the trick but I can't find it advertised anywhere?

 

[Super_Kat]

Ordinary grease you'd use for cooking. Failing that lots of vaseline!

 

[brucea]

The secret?

No shoes

I'm riding every day - fields, woods, tracks, even the icky icy bits. No problems.

Seriously - think of taking them off for a couple of months - give their feet a break, and it's safer for both of you without them in this weather.

 

[trundle]

I covered Ella's feet in vaseline but it didnt seem to do any good. I used my disgustingly expensive kevin Bacon hoof grease stuff and it worked like a dream. Typical.

 

[legaldancer]

I haven't had that much success with vaseline, but someone on here said axle grease & plenty of it.

My boy is a bit trippy so I'm not chancing hacking, but he's getting turnout every day. He was much worse for the snow packing when shod with egg bars.

 

[Dirtymare]

[ QUOTE ]

No shoes



[/ QUOTE ]

My mare has no shoes (taken off in October) and she is not slipping or has snow balling up either. I have been amazed at the grip she has got without shoes.
I havent ridden though, as I dont want to run the risk of her slipping with a great lump like me on her back.

 

[cptrayes]

Yup, me too. Loving being able to canter down the snowed over lanes on barefoot horses. Great fun.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

ditto the above...... no shoes=no issues.

my menage has got a few inches of snow on it but im still riding,as no ice stilt build up.