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Hoof Ice
Posted by Felt at 2015-08-21 22:36:08
Hi guys. It has been a while since I have been to the front porch. I have not had a computer turned on for many months. This year, I have been driving tourists around in a wagon in Utah. Way too hot in Texas.
This gig will wind up in a month or so and I have been looking for other things that might divert me from the reality of home. I have had some discussions with a ski area here. The prospect sounds good. The thing I need help with is how to deal with ice in my Perches feet. The temps around the ski area can frequently go below zero. Do I need to be concerned about ice accumulation in their feet? I have never been anywhere that got that cold before. What else should I be concerned about working in that environment.
Response by hollarmills at 2015-08-22 09:55:10
We trail ride year round here in Virginia. Our barefoot horses typically have no problem with snow and ice. I prefer to shoe with the Mustad rim snow pads, but some of our horses seem to destroy them pretty fast on the rocky ground. For the horses that wear the rim pads too fast, I usually use the Castle snowball pad. These seem to hold up for about 2 seasons. All of our trail horses in shoes are shod with Goldtrax "borium," it gives them traction on the rocks and ice and has the side benefit of preventing shoe wear. I can get three or four resets on a pair of shoes before the nail holes wear out, usually they only last 6 to 8 weeks.
Response by Dave Schulz at 2015-08-22 10:57:04
I find if the hooves are kept well trimmed there is no problem . If the hooves get too long the snow can pack in there and it really can be hard on tendons and joints. If they are shod you would need to use pads to keep the snow from packing in.
Response by grey at 2015-08-22 12:55:33
Traction. Snow balled up in hooves. Getting chilled after working up a sweat. Providing water that is of a temperature that the horses will consume adequately. Some horses boycott ice-cold water. Electric de-icers can short out, causing current in the trough and resulting in horses who refuse to drink. Subsequent colic.
Response by NoraWI at 2015-08-22 13:09:25
Yes, ice can form on the bottom of their feet. Sometimes to the point of protruding and creating "stilts." I pick hooves a lot throughout the winter. I think that leg action of a moving horse will prevent such ice buildup while they are working and/or fling the ice balls off. While Texas is hot, hot, hot during the summers, Utah is frigid during the winter. Why not compromise and go south in winter and north for the summer?
Response by Vince Mautino at 2015-08-22 16:39:36
Snow pads, borium caulked shoes, make sure they get ample water that is not ice cold, and dry them off some if they are wet from sweat when you are done for the day. You can put snow pads on that have little bulb type affair on them that flicks the snow out
Response by Felt at 2015-08-22 19:46:34
Thanks guys. If I end up staying where it is cold, I will call my farier supply about snow pads and bulbs.
Response by KC Fox at 2015-08-25 00:19:44
the steel shoes without pads or bulbs ball up snow worse than bare feet on riding horses. I have pulled shoes with fence pliers because of it when out riding most of the time ours are not shod that long here. Because we mainly shoe just for Ice.
Response by farmer brown at 2015-08-25 09:50:13
i use the type that has a tube which runs around the inside of the shoe and i put on borium frount and back.the best part about those type is you don't have to worry about putting packing under the pad to keep out the trash because the center of the hoof is open.
Response by Dean P. at 2015-08-25 16:09:39
If it was me I would hi tail it for Texas right after the fall colors disappeared. I hate cold!
Response by CanoeTomah at 2015-08-25 19:20:29
Agree with Farmer Brown. We have had the best luck with rim pads and drive in studs. To see example of galloping horse on glare ice see link below.

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