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  Discussion on Casting in the snow
Author Message
Member:
quatro

Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 12:06 pm:

FYI, Anyone else having any problems with their horse casting in the snow?
Our snow was so deep this winter, and we are having a nice slow melt. Dusty, my old guy, has twice now DrOpped down to roll in the snow, and sunk to where he could not get back up. Lucky for me I am home, and was able to get out there to help him up.
I am sure my younger guys are ok, but thought I would share
suz
Member:
sherryw

Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 1:03 pm:

We live in Michigan and have a 28 year old Morgan mare (she belongs to a boarder) that likes to lay down in her stall and outside (the horses go out every day) and I have gotten pretty good at helping her to get up. Since a lot of times it is only me, I have learned that if I can enhance her footing with sawdust, kitty litter (my favorite), dirt, etc. -- she can usually get up. When I get home from work and it looks like she has been down outside for quite a while (snow melted/packed to ice around her, puddles of melted snow, slippery mud, etc.) I first throw some extra blankets over her (for warmth), cover the wet areas with sawdust to absorb the extra moisture, and then put the kitty litter around her feet/front leg area. I put the halter and lead rope on her to help guide her around out of the more sloppy stuff as she tries to get herself up by moving her front legs around and then when she tries to get up I give her a counter balance (me) to pull against, and 95% of the time she gets up (so I consider myself very lucky). The other 5% of the time I might have to call in the troops to help flip her over to her other side because her down side hind leg is probably sleeping and not much use to her when she tries to get up. So far (and I'm crossing my fingers), after she is over on her other side she is able to get up in about 2 minutes after that leg gets some circulation again.
Lately what has seemed to improve her ability to get up is that her owners have purchased a devil's claw/yucca supplement that we put daily in her feed. After being on this supplement for about 2 weeks, I have no longer had any episodes with her where she hasn't gotten up on her own! This has seemed to help her tremendously (arthritis issues? -- which I wouldn't doubt). Just wanted to let you know you are not alone! Good luck with him.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 1:15 pm:

Hello Susan, though I did not see one this year both horses and cows can become cast in the snow. Short of putting them up is a covered building I do not have a good idea for prevention. Perhaps if the problem is exacerbated by arthritis pain relief medication prior to going out might help.
DrO
Member:
quatro

Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 11:23 pm:

Thanks, He is my skinny old guy, and I just think he is so out of shape. He doesn't seem too arthritic compared to Cody. He just always rolls down hill and gets stuck! He has never done it in his stall, thank goodness!
glad I am home to help him
suz
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 - 6:44 am:

When we had our melt off and slushy mud this year MANY cows around the county got stuck, some died, saw many farmers with tractors getting them on their feet. I think it is more because they can't get a good grip in that type of footing to get up than getting cast isn't it?? I lock my old mare in the paddock when we have that type of footing.
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