Struggling with weather!

Cazza525

Cazza525

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Basically I have 4 horses. 2 natives out on 2 acres and 2 TB out on 4 acres. All are adequately rugged and hayed/fed twice daily. They also have shelters and are well rugged up and warm.

My problem is that I have to lead them down a track to get them into their stables. This track is sheet ice at the mo and so is the yard.

Because of the weather I haven't had them in for over a fortnight. This in itself isn't a problem, as I can see to them in the field, but they REALLY need feet trimming (all unshod).

I just can't get them down to the stables to get farrier out! He cancelled today anyhow because he was snowed in, but has re scheduled for Friday, but with temp. dropping again it will become sheet ice!! I daren't risk it with trying to get them in...........I'll have to cancel again!!!

Aaaaarrrrrrrgggggggg!! Am I the only one praying for rain??

I've read the other ppl's posts about frightened to turn horses out, and I'm stuck the other way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
you are far far better with them stuck out - than stuck in. Just imagine all the bedding you would be getting through. And without shoes a few days late from the farrier is not the end of the world. Just cancel teh farrier and book for the week after - no point in getting stressed when you can do nothing about it., your horses are fine, warm dry and plenty to eat and drink.
 
Don't stress too much. I do understand but the hooves will be ok for another week or so and it's not worth them or you slipping and ending up with something much much worse than slightly over grown hooves. Also the fact that you are stressing probably means you are all over the hoof thing and they are really fine!

Also agree much worse with them out than in. They are (I'm guessing) happy, healthy, well fed and relaxed.
 
Weve the opposite, ours are stuck in and cant get to the field. Thankfully today we managed to turn out in the school as the fresh snow meant they could at least potter across the yard.
Our Farriers been cancelled twice now as he cant get to the yard, ours are shod and now well overdue. Cant see any let up in the weather for a couple of weeks.
 
Guess I am panicking a bit much really, but the two TB's have really shocking feet anyhow (one is only 3 and the other one is retired, hence unshod) and one of my little darlins has had seedy toe this year and he feet were cut right back to treat and so still look awful!!

None are lame though (apart from looking a little bit 'cat on a hot tin roof'like when walking over the iced rutts in field!!)

Its 8 weeks today that they last had a trim and I'm thinking its going to be at least another week yet..........
 
Will farrier not trim them in the field for you, I wouldn't bat an eyelid at asking ours to do that, in fact had to last time as I couldn't separate mare from her boys! The fields are not muddy with the freeze and if he is only trimming it's not as if he will need to carry loads of tools.
 
Its quite a walk up to field and it is too slippery to get landy up and down......its a big ask of my farrier to walk up there and erhummmm.........he isn't the fittest!!
 
I'm in a similar situation, farrier had to cancel between Christmas and New Year and is scheduled for this Saturday, which again is not going to happen. Not too worried about the unshod ponies but am keeping my fingers crossed that my two big ones hang on to their shoes, although with not hooling about in the field they don't seem to be twisting them too much.
 
I think we are all suffering with the weather at the moment, and im fed up not being able to ride and keep my routine , at the moment i cant get to my yard and a friend who lives near is doing them , we keep them together and when she went to america i looked after hers for 5 weeks so she is returning the favour which is very handy. I take great comfort in knowing that although its not ideal its better to have a home than be an unwanted horse or being at a sale with no one wanting them , so they are very lucky really and soon it will be all gone , we are lucky in this country not like others who get this every year, its a one off for us very unusual, so chin up we are all in the same boat just do your best for them to see you through till the better weather comes x
 
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