Posted 2014-02-08 1:03 AM Subject: snow packed in hooves
Ditch the Stirrups
Posts: 5369 Location: Sorrow Not! Defending against workplace bullies
My horses are basically in a large dirt lot (no irrigation in a dry climate) Recently it snowed and the 3 barefoot ones are walking on ice stilts! We pick the ice out and its too hard for a regular hoof pick. We sprayed Pam cooking spray once a day and they go right back to packing the snow on. What do other people do to avoid this? I am worried they will injure their tendons and bruise their feet.
Posted 2014-02-08 8:50 AM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425 Location: Riding Crackhead.
If you live in an area where the snow is a freak short termed thing then keep picking them out. The only thing that works 100% is snow pads with shoes. Barefoot horses get the balls too. I carry a screwdriver in my pocket and knock some of them out. The more the horses move the better they fall out on their own.
Posted 2014-02-08 10:31 AM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
Yup, we're dealing with this also. A couple of the horses including mine that have front shoes on were pretty body sore for a couple days after a fresh snow. Now that the snow is packed down a bit in the turn out it's not packing as bad in their feet and they feel better.
I don't think there is a secret except picking them out as much as you can if you need to keep them barefoot. I will probably have snow pads put on my guy next winter - he's got ninny feet anyway so it doesn't take much to sore him.
Posted 2014-02-08 12:40 PM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
I'm not opinionated
Posts: 4597 Location: Online
WD40 will work for a while to keep snow from balling. We don't get snow that often here so I don't worry about it much. I pull shoes in the winter except for those who can't go barefoot. I rarely have the issue of snow balling up when horses are barefoot.
Posted 2014-02-08 1:29 PM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
Ditch the Stirrups
Posts: 5369 Location: Sorrow Not! Defending against workplace bullies
Thank you for the replies! I had never heard of snow pads. we dont get snow that often so I will probably try WD40. It is interesting: I have 1 horse who has always had warmer hooves than the others. I thought it was a bad sign but he is always that way, it is just him. it turns out his hooves are easiest to get the snow out LOL. The others are more difficult.
Posted 2014-02-08 2:48 PM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
Elite Veteran
Posts: 685 Location: Arkansas
I've always heard that packing with Vaseline works well, but Ive never tried. I was going to ride today, but they are packing so bad with snow, Id just assume wait until tomorrow! Good luck!
Posted 2014-02-08 3:53 PM Subject: RE: snow packed in hooves
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
I have tried the vaseline and it does work. You have to keep the jar inside your coat though to keep it warm if your in the arctic like me otherwise it gets quite hard n gooey like. I have used a small hammer to knock the snowballs out and a screwdriver as well.
snow packed in hooves
