Tried and Tested please - I want to ride but don't like stilts

Weezy

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I really, really, really would like to ride my horse
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We have plenty of untouched tracks and headlands to ride on, but taking the horses in and out of the fields results in stilts and I don't want this to happen whilst I am on board as jumping off and on a 17.1hh fresh horse is not ideal. So, who is riding and how are you doing it?
 
25 acre flat square field with a foot and a half of snow - i trot 4 circuits canter four circuits the forward momentum flicks out packing snow but as it is so deep you dont notice it is very hard work for them so do go steady - I crack on as normal in deep snow just to get them out but havent done any schooling as yet .
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Sharonxx
 
effol hoof grease in feet is really good; just falls out... but you need a lot

i havent ridden, but im planning on riding tomorrow; it will only be a walk indoors though
 
I rode in the last (pre Christmas) snow, but not yet in this fresh lot.
I rode on the gallops (woodchip) in about 4 inches on snow. I walked & snow balled up in his feet. He occaisionally felt odd when he was on stilts & I wasn't convinced this was a good idea (think of the tendons / joints
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). However, one of the girls at the yard convinced me to trot & canter as she said the yearling (& other) racehorses are still exercised in the snow.
Glad I took her advice - it was fine. No snow balled up, I guess it just flew out before it really gathered. I didn't put anything in his feet, just hoped for the best & would pull up instantly if anything felt odd.
Planning to ride tomorrow afternoon & snow is deeper this time.
All horses have been turned out every day & been on the walker for 30-40 mins / day, so hopefully still getting some work!
 
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Excellent! Right am going to ride tomorrow, even if it is just in the field as I am really, really missing it!

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I think I am going to ride in our cow fields this weekend. We haven't turned out since saturday so he is fed up being in and I am fed up with not riding at all. We must have 4in of snow at least on the fields so planning to have a walk around them initially (just me with the dog) to see whether I think they're rideable then will take M out.
 
Erm yep i was actually under him at one point he dropped so quickly i thought he,d had a heart attack!!
It was fine though obviously as its so soft a landing - these were last years pics i havent managed to get any this year yet !! - i would say though if you have a horse with dodgy legs go very steady as it is very hard work on them like it is for us walking thru deep snow if in doubt dont do it!!!

Sharonxx
 
I'm using some mud fever barrier cream which is really thick and greasy, and smearing it all over the sole. Have used it walking out in the snow a couple of times and it seems to do the job...
 
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