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Discussion on Winter Hoof Care
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2005 - 3:28 pm:
Hi All,
Where I live it is cold and snow. Once again we have snowball buildup in the hooves and they have to be chipped out with a hammer. I was wondering if applying a wax to the sole of the hoof but not the frog would do any harm. I have tried the Pam cooking spray to the bottom of his feet but it just doesn't do it. Either way it is a daily chore, but I was thinking that the wax may make removal easier. Thanks in advance and hope you can help  .
Susan B.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2005 - 4:22 pm:
Hi,
I have the same problem. I got my farrier to put on snow pads with borium shoes. It seems to be working great.
Katrina
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 8:01 am:
My mare also has the snow pads (the ones that don't cover the entire sole) and they work beautifully--no more 45 minutes of chipping away at frozen solid ice balls and no more fear that when she's brought in at night that she'll skid out on the barn floor because of the ice build up.
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New Member:
Grubb
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 10:03 am:
I have been reading many notes for the past year and have learned a great deal from all the different input. I have always been reluctant to respond in fear that I may sound idiotic.
But here goes. I am a working mom with 3 young girls in grades 6th, 5th, and 2nd. I have has horses all my life with the exception of the first 8 years of being married and having children. I have had the horses again for the last 4 years.
We have finally found horses that will work for the different personalities of the girls. I have 5 horses, snow, and ice. Wonderful Indiana weather and I couldn't be more happier. I love being in the barn taking care of the horses. However, how realistic is it to really put special snow shoes on each horse. They do get some snow in their feet, but for the most part it works out. Do you ever get the feeling that we pamper horses just a bit!!? They have survived for hundreds of years in the elements of nature.
Amy
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 10:32 am:
Hi Dawn,
I couldn't agree more...and you certainly don't sound idiotic...realistic is more like it. I can't speak on behalf of why some people go to these measures...they have their reasons I'm sure, and I do know that Susan's horse does have 'hoof issues' so in her case it is different and likely warranted, but like you, we have 4 horses and the cost and time for us to do this in our situation would be financially detrimental. Our horses run on 24 acres, they pop those frozen ice balls out with one good gallop across the pasture. We do pop them out with a hammer (they pop out amazingly easily with one or two good raps on the snow and ice pack on the bottom of the hooves) whenever we get a chance, but that's about all we do. Our horses pretty much fend for themselves. My dad once told me that if a horse can't make it on it's own running on the back 40 in winter, it's not worth it's weight in glue. This may sound a little harsh, but that's exactly what we did with our horses when I was a kid, they'd come up to the yard about once or twice a winter if it got real cold and when they did we'd take them a pail of water and throw them a bale of hay, but then I guess the whole issue of 'do we pamper horses too much' is another whole topic for another thread.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 11:43 am:
Sorry for the double post. It seems I have a discussion going on in two places on the same topic. I tried removing one discussion when I realised what had happened but I couldn't.
Sherri, I would love nothing better than having a barefoot horse. His hoof condition says otherwise.
Underrun heels. He has shoes on the front feet only with a rim pad. Without them he is a pretty sore guy. He is also in a paddock and not on 24 acres. That would be wonderful also as it keeps him moving around.
I guess the kind of snowball I am talking about are those inverted pyramids. That can't be good for any length of time. Our temperature is finally rising but now at the extreme of freezing rain  . Hope I don't have to outfit him with ice skates  . I also have a nice little chipping hammer that works very good.
I was just wondering if the wax would make the snow less sticky.
Susan B.
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Member:
Nisquy
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 11:58 am:
Susan:
I too tried the Pam, also tried Musher's secret (a wax for dog's paws), hoof packing etc. to no avail. My horse has regular shoes on her front hooves only and would get the giant snowballs you are referring to. I went with the full snow pads with borium studs in the shoes and the problem was solved. I was afraid she'd turn her ankle or worse trying to get around on those "platforms." The extra expense for a couple of shoeings in the winter seemed like a better bet for me than risking injury to my horse. Good luck!
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 12:22 pm:
Hi Susan, I sincerely hope you didn't think I was trying to minimize the importance of why you tend to Laser's hoofcare to the extent that you do. I do understand your situation. Laser is very lucky to have such a consciencious and caring owner. I guess I was just saying that a lot of people do 'overdo' a lot of horse care issues and in the end sometimes make things worse and/or spend unnecessary $$'s. Sorry if offended you in anyway. It was not my intention.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 1:33 pm:
By putting snow pads on my horse, I don't think I'm "over doing" a thing. I've seen a horse skid out on a cement barn floor and it was horrifying (other than scrapes and bruises, fortunately, he was OK). The snow balls caught up in hooves, at the least, must put a tremendous amount of strain on the legs and at the worst, pose a risk of injury. Like Buffy in the above post, it's worth the extra $$ to me to minimize all risk to my horse.
All the best...
Fran
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 1:50 pm:
Oh boy, I got myself into hot water here. I'm not suggesting Fran, that you or anyone else in this thread are 'overdoing' anything. It was a generalized comment more in response to Dawn's post. I didn't mean for anyone to take it personally.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 1:58 pm:
Hi,
My horse is 7 years and has never had shoes on till 6 months ago. He was fine barefoot all his life. Even in the snow and ice. I moved him to a new barn that is on the side of a very steep mountain. That is extremliy rocky. So I had to put shoes on as the rocks were making him tender and his feet were whereing away too fast. This winter My farrier suggested the pads because he was slipping constantly. Thats the only reason for the snow pads. Not because its a fad. Its to stop my horse from falling and getting hurt. I agree less is best, but when you change them from the natural condition by adding shoes etc you add problems that have to be addressed. I hate that he even has shoes on let alone snow pads. I dont have a choice. My horse is on the side of an extremliy steep mountain that is covered in snow and ice all winter long. The horses without shoes fall often. Its not pleasant. I think that most people who are going to have the added expence of pads and borium would rather not. There are of course exceptions.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 2:06 pm:
Hi Sherri,
You did not offend me in any way  . I understand completely where you are coming from. Some of the other horses where Laser lives also have the problem of snow buildup and they are not wearing shoes. I guess it might have to do with smaller spaces to roam around in. As you know too well, our weather has also been keeping these guys in their shelters. He is moving around, I can see tracks all over his paddock.
I guess his shoes have "fixed" one problem, but the environment he lives in have created another.
I also agree that the great outdoors is the best environment he can live in. Now if we could just do something about those weather extremes  .
I think snowpads might just be the thing if he has to wear shoes. I would hate to undo all that we have accomplished in keeping him sound.
You are obviously doing something right with your 3 healthy horses, without all the fuss and fanfare. Good feed, good water and good shelter and lots of space to play in. Laser was born and raised in this kind of environment and there is no reason why he can't survive in it.
No offence at all Sherri (Big Hug)!
Susan B.
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 2:15 pm:
Thanks Susan. Your comments are appreciated.
Big Hug right back at ya!
Sherri.
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Member:
Grubb
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2005 - 3:24 pm:
Dear Sherri and Susan,
I have read all the emails and I too didn't mean to offend anyone by my first time response. I see both sides of the issue especially with a horse that has had issues with their feet. I also do see all 5 of my horses walking gingerly up close to the barn. Last week we had approx. 16 inches of snow all turn to rain, flooding, and now below zero weather. When the weather turned of course all the mud froze with protruding bumps that are of course very hard.
I feel bad watching them walk in certain areas. The horses go slow while working their way up to the barn. Does anyone have suggestions on that situation? The cold is here to stay. My husband and I thought we could try the bucket on our tractor to see if we could smooth some of the rough frozen ground off the top. Then again, I go to all the years having horses and never gave it much of a thought unless a horse seemed lame.
Any thoughts or ideas?
Thanks,
Dawn
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 - 10:30 am:
I have been reading this post also and was glad to hear Dawn and Sherri's post. Generally speaking I have often rolled my eyes at some of the extremes people go to with their horses. Reading many many post on this site I have also been educated and come to realize everyones situation is different and things I think are foolish for me are necessary for others. Now, I am just thankful I dont have to go to all the fuss and expense that some people do as my horses are on about 20 acres and pretty low maintance. I dont worry about the snowballs ( I do pick them out when I get a chance) and I have never known of my slipping because of them. I also have the frozen mud around the stalls and never had a problem for the horses anyway. Dawn, if it aint broke dont fix it.
Colleen
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 - 8:13 am:
Hi All,
No offense taken...Everyone's situation is different and eveyone tries to address it the best they can with the welfare of their horses at the forefront.
Dawn, my mare is in the same situation as your horses with the very uneven and frozen ground and this weekend, I noticed that the ground was really beating up the bulbs of her heels. Another horse came in almost dead lame the other night from it. The only thing I could think to do was clean up her feet from all the cuts with water and iodine and smear gobs of Corona cream on the heels. Last night, those heels looked better already. Unfortunately, I don't own the barn where my mare is boarded so I can't try to fix the problem. I'm hoping the snow we're getting today helps cushion some of the sharp ground. I may suggest to the owner to have some wood chips spread down over the worst of the area, but I don't know if that's really a very good or practical solution.
Fran
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Member:
Grubb
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 - 9:56 am:
Dear Fran,
Thanks for the letter. I have checked all the legs and feet of the horses and there does not appear to be any cuts. We did recieve another 3 inches of snow and it has helped the bump situation.
Dawn
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New Member:
Terilynn
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 7:10 pm:
Hello I hope I am not interrupting;
I live in the west Truth or Consequences NM where there is 360 days of sun shine and very little rain, if we see snow we want to know where it came from. I have three horses (Quarter) 23 yrs old 3 & 6 that are on sandy ground and some rock; unless you go riding than you are on rock. I am having problems with their feet splitting from the dryness. I have tried oil but than the flies become bad even today in Jan. What can I do to help/stop the cracking? It isn't deep just surface but I am afraid it might go deeper. I always keep shoes on them. Some time the water tank runs over and then I have mud, (Clay) I keep their feet clean clearing any rocks and dry mud out. I am lost with the splitting, can any one give me some advice on what I can do or try???}}
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Member:
Lindsey
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 7:07 pm:
Hi Teri,
Long time ago, we had a very dry summer too. That was still the time I was living in Europe and my boys feet were cracking big time too. I tried all sorts of oils, but didn't get far either.
Then the farrier I had at that time, -who by the way was a great disbeliever of hoof lotions & potions & what have you-, said to me, "if you want to try something, put on Cornucrescine, it's the only thing I'd ever be willing to waste my money on". As far as he was concerned all the rest was a joke.
So I tried it and I actually had a vast improvement.
It doesn't wear off that quickly as many other ointments. You are only supposed to apply it to the coronet band, but if you are anything like me, you'll smother it all over . It does get your hands very dirty, but it's very good for your fingernails!!
Now, in England it was readily available in any tackshop, here I have seen it in some shops, but it may take some looking around. It's made by Carr & Day Martin. In England it wouldn't cost more then 11GBP for 1lbs pot. Over here it turns out to be more expensive unfortunately. I believe KYhorse.com has it, but not sure.
Anyway, if you were to give it a go, don't overdo it either. As in my infinite wisdom I got at it for months & months and from dry cracked hooves I ended up with such soft & mushy hooves, we couldn't even get him to keep a shoe on
Good luck.
Patsy.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 9:05 am:
Hello All,
We have an article on this along with recommendations see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Poor Horn Quality: problems with the wall and soles.
DrO
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