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Discussion on Riding A Horse In Deep Snow
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Member:
pbauer
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 - 4:16 pm:
Dear All,
My husband, Paul, recently found himself in a precarious position....He was trail riding and before he knew it...had ridden, Topper, into some deep snow. He's not sure if he over corrected his seat, but, Topper went into bucking mode. Paul tried to plan his exit...wanted to land in a big pile of soft snow...but ended up...falling quite hard to the ground. He fractured two ribs and has been quite sore for about three weeks. It will probably be another three to four weeks before he can start riding again. He made a special point to tell me...he was glad he had worn his riding helmet.
Has anyone on HA encountered a similar situation? If so, (and even if you haven't) please share...training and riding tips, etc.
Thanks,
Tonya
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Member:
pbauer
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 - 5:04 pm:
Dear DrO. and HA Members,
I found the following article, and wanted to share it with you.
Winter Riding Tips
By Bob Jeffreys
Even if you are lucky enough to have access to an indoor arena you may want to do some trail riding this winter. I cannot think of when I have had more fun than riding through some freshly fallen snow on a sunny winter day. Here are a few suggestions for maximizing fun, comfort, and safety on the winter trail.
Under the category of safety, my primary concern is footing. Snow, ice, frozen ground and rocks can make a walk in the woods or even across the paddock challenging to your horse. For this reason I like to provide my horses with Borium shoes on front and rear feet in late November or early December. Anyone who has witnessed a horse doing splits on a slick patch of ice or worse been on said horse, will agree this is a worthwhile expenditure. On the front hooves, I also use rubber pads with a convex bubble that keeps snow from balling up and gives your horse protection from shards of ice. Eliminating this snow build-up improves traction and safety. Snow can obscure treacherous footing from view, but I have learned to trust my horse when he senses a path is unsafe. More than once my compliant horse has hesitated when asked to proceed across snow or ice. Upon dismounting and investigating I was grateful I didn't press the issue, because he was correct in his assessment of the situation. Remember you are partners and you are in this together.
Another aspect to consider is how much snow there is. Remember breaking a path through deep snow is as much work as shoveling it. If you are riding through deep snow by yourself be sure to take plenty of rest breaks. If you ride with a group you can also switch the lead horse occasionally giving each horse a portion of the heavy work. When riding in deep snow I also carry a lariat. I decided this was a good precaution after riding my horse across a field only to have him disappear under me. We had stepped into a hole that was drifted over and there wasn't much more than poor Eagle's head visible. A lariat or halter and long rope tossed to another horse can help your horse climb out of such a predicament.
The other topic I consider is physical comfort. Learn from experienced winter riders who know to dress in layers. If that sunshine at the start of your ride disappears before you get home or the wind kicks up the temperature will DrOp at an amazing rate. Conversely, on a nice day you may warm up during your ride and layers will allow you to moderate your temperature. For my outer layer I like something that is wind and water resistant like my trusty outback coat. We all know we lose the most heat through our head so do not neglect warm head gear. This is sometimes a problem if you wear a helmet. If you cannot find what you need at the tack shop, check out stores that carry ski supplies. They often have ultra thin hats and ski masks that will work under your normal head gear. When you select gloves make sure they are insulated and have a textured surface that will not slip off the reins. Boots can be problematic. A warm boot, large enough to accommodate thicker socks is sometimes too large to fit smoothly into your stirrup. You can solve this problem by ordering oversized stirrups from your tack supplier, insuring safety and comfort.
My horses have a good winter coat so the only attire I use are sports boots to prevent cuts or abrasions from ice and stick. However if you have minimized your horse's coat through blanketing, lights or clipping there is horse clothing meant to be used while riding. Either way, when you return to the barn be sure to cover your horse with a dry sheet designed to wick away moisture and walk him until cool Finish with a good brushing. This helps return the loft to his coat, increasing its insulating capability. Of course there will be some days this winter not meant for riding. Show up at the barn with an apple for your partner and bestow a good grooming. You could even work him on the lead rope in the barn aisle. You don't have to be on his back to have fun.
Then when its a safe sunny wonderland out there, mount up and enjoy. A ride through pristine snow can be a beautiful and peaceful experience and makes the winter seem shorter.
Tonya
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 - 8:12 pm:
Tonya that is a good article, thank you.
I haven't been brave enough to ride in the snow this winter, it being my first snow season ever. I look forward to doing so next year
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 - 11:31 pm:
Tonya, I'm glad Paul is OK
Well, here are two of my snow experiences.
A friend and I were riding through a field. Once we got to the open where the wind was free to whip the snow was quite hard, hard enough for the horses to walk on. This was fine for a while. This has never happened since so I can only guess what was going on. I suppose it was simply the vibration of the horses hooves on the crust but suddenly the crust vibrated strongly. Sounds kinda weird. It didn't happen with every step just once in a while. It certainly spooked the horses and us but there was no place to go but back or carry on.
Another time I thought I'd take a horse that I was training through a field, this fellow was big, strong and full of energy. So, away we went, all was great, the snow was just below his knees. You have to picture this field, it was about 50 acres and I'm going kitty corner. His head was up, facing the wind, relaxed....
At one point we had to go through the creek bed, of course it is frozen so no problem. What I hadn't figured on was the wind blowing the snow through the gully making the snow oh about a 100 ft deep. When we hit the deep soft snow he took a couple of plunges to get through. Then snow was over the saddle! At that time I always rode with the bridle over the halter with lead rope attached and tied to the saddle string, so feeling bad for the horse I threw my leg over and prayed I wouldn't sink out of sight. As I came off I pulled the string and got the lead rope.
Well, you'd a thought that was the go! signal.
That horse took off through the gully, and up the other side, me hanging on to the rope bouncing behind him. I knew better than to let that rope loose, not only was it a long walk home but coming home without the horse was 'frowned' on, if you get my meaning.
Once back on the level horse stopped for a breather, I figured you got that much go in you you can darn well carry me so I got back on.
We continued through the field to the road not to far away. When he got through the ditch onto the road that was just too easy going, he wanted to run, I had to hold him in! I never did tire that horse in all the time I had him.
note, he showed no sign of stiffness the next day or hesitation to head back through the field.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 - 1:24 am:
Tonya, tell Paul my husband knows how he feels it will get better just takes longer now! My only winter excitement came many years back while riding a strange horse while my parents vistied with his owners in their farm house. It was beautiful winter day, couple of inches on the ground no big deal.When you're young you just ride and don't pay attention to where you are so we were miles out when the blizzard hit. Complete whiteout could see nothing nor knew which direction to go ?? All I could do was pray this horse knew where home was, so I asked him to find home,as I was very lost. By the time we got back we were in the barn several minutes before I realized we were out of the storm. My hands and legs were so frozen I could not get off that wonderful horse! That's how my very angry father found us and I was grounded from horses for 2 months! Never saw that horse again but he did teach me to have faith and trust in their wisdom and they will get you to the barn! Cindy
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Member:
kthorse
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 - 8:51 am:
my horse loves to roll in the snow while I am riding. He only does this in the snow. I am quick to stop him but the first time was a shock as he never did it before. I guess when he is hot with all that wooly coat he forgets I am on his back and wants to cool down. Now I have to keep on my toes.  Other than that we love riding in the snow
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Member:
kathleen
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 - 9:30 am:
If anyone ever doubted the surefootedness and levelheadedness of an Arabian (yes, I said Arabian), they would no longer doubt if they went through what we did on my mare Mona and my daughter Tina's gelding Yogi. We went for a ride and had to cross a small stream where we had to go down the bank into the stream, turn left, then walk about 25 feet, turn right and go up the bank. No problem, it wasn't frozen, so just walked down and up the other side. (Mona doesn't like water, so she sometimes she just follows Yogi). We rode for a while and it was getting late, so we came to the stream and it was frozen (or looked that way). Mona went down the bank onto the ice and took a couple of steps and then the ice broke off and she floated a couple of inches. Not good, she went back up the bank and we had to go the long way home and it was over an hour to get back home on a normal day and it was getting dark. The trails were solid ice so we stayed off of them as much as possible, but came to a hill and Mona walked right up to the edge, started sliding (about 50 feed down) and didn't panic, just put her back end under her and slid. I just stayed in the middle of her back and stayed out of her way. Yogi and Tina followed suit(this was not our idea, but the only way home). We then put the reins down and let the horses take us home. It was very scary as it was very icy and slippery. The horses actually trotted when it got really icy and slowed down when the ice ended. They obviously knew what to do and when to do it. We made it home safely and gave ourselves more time to get home after that. Love those crazy Arabians.
Kathleen
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 - 9:37 am:
Tonya, I expect your horse was goosed by the cold/wet of the snow and just spooked at the feeling of it up under on tender parts. (or maybe there was a stick under the snow?) Tell Paul that I, for one, know exactly how he feels and that before he knows it, he'll be back on top . . . probably when warmer weather has come to you there.
Twice my big dun, who is now deceased, fell through while I was riding. Once, as we were on trail and came to a place where the town had plowed the snow from one end of the road to the opposite end of the trail, we attempted to cross, and I found my horse had shrunk and my feet were standing on snow. He remained really calm and heaved himself out of it with a couple of good tries. Another time, we were on a trail that good-hearted town's folk had created for recreation (Central Vermont has an awesome trail system for hikers, horses, X-country skiers, and mountain bikers) but they hadn't considered the weight of a horse when they built the trail over a gully. My horse and I found ourselves stuck . . . the brush and dirt piled into a gulley gave way under my horse, and I, again, found myself standing over my horse. I stepped off of him and walked in front and asked him to try . . . and he was able to heave himself out of that with no scratches or punctures.
The article is excellent, and I would add three things . . . 1) if you DO fall off in the snow, it's a lot softer than on the road (poor Paul) and 2) I find the rim pads with the "balloon" inner rim to be better than the dome pads . . . they allow you to clean the horse's feet and allow them to breathe in the damp conditions, and 3) know the trail or field before you ride on it in the snow. If you know what the ground is like because of riding on it all summer, fall, and spring, you will know where there may be frozen puddles under the snow or downed fences and trees or other obstacles.
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Member:
pbauer
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 - 4:29 pm:
Dear All,
Thank you!
I will address your comments in a few days ...
I'm on the run!
Very Best,
Tonya
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Monday, Feb 19, 2007 - 2:10 pm:
I love riding in the snow, but am a firm believer in winter Barefoot horses. the snow pack slides right out instead of freezing to the metal shoe in softball sized round ice balls. Another trick I heard of but have not tried is PAM Spray on the hoof bottom? sounds logical. I took mine in a Known field in 35 inches of snow. 15 minutes was all we could ride. they were huffin and a puffin and ready to nap after that.
As for knowing how Paul feels! I know how his wife feels! My not so sure footed arab was not so confidant on a creek. We had to dismount and walk them across, they absolutly would not ride over - even after our friend rode her Mountain horse across first. Our Desert horses said NO that stuff is wet. so we both got off against our better wishes - I led my horse across who cleared the creek (almost 12 feet) in one jump then sauntered in to the woods to eat the fresh green grass and wait for me. My poor husband Mark leads the Arab across and no one really knows what happened to this day but he slipped on the creek bank and fell under the horse who solidly planted a rear hoof on his sternum. needless to say we needed to have my husband 911'd out of there as he could barely stand up and walk. Miracle of Miracles nothing was broken? The Arab was very distraut. I knew he felt really bad about hurting Mark and the normally calm rider (ME) was in almost hysterics. Oh My GOD I kept saying I've killed my husband! Then both horses got nervous (the horses must of worse cause I try to never get anything more than calm around the horses) Mark healed fine and doesn't hold poor Midnite to blame - we still don't have a clue how he wound up under the horse like that but - well "IT happens".
But back to snow riding - LOVE IT. Just becareful you know what is underfoot. you could break an ankle in a hole that is covered by snow or all kinds of nasties could happen - I only feel confidant walking them when we have more than 6 inches and only in Known footing areas.
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Member:
pbauer
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 2:25 pm:
Hi,
A few days turned into two weeks...
Dear Ilona,
Due to my recent surgeries ( scheduled to have another in about a week) I haven't been able to ride in the snow either...but look forward to doing so next year,too!
Dear Lori,
I enjoyed your story ( I'm glad you didn't get hurt) about the horse you were training who was ...big, strong and full of energy... which also describes, Topper. I thought...Lori is one tough hombre...slang for WOW!
By the way, Topper, didn't even get a scratch.
Dear Cindy,
I also remember a very angry Father, when out riding with a friend, ended up getting home very late from a trail ride. My friend had fallen off her horse, and injured her arm...our progress home was very slow. My parents had been out looking for us...needless to say...I was grounded.
Dear Katrina,
Indeed...horses keep us...on our toes!
Glad you enjoy riding in the snow
Dear Kathleen,
Arabs are a wonderful breed!
I'm so happy that you and your daughter made it home safely from your trail ride that day.
One of, Topper's, best friends is an Arab. My friend and I let them play together all the time...he loves the spirited play, and I appreciate the levelheaded direction, Q, gives to my boy.
Dear Holly,
Thank you for sharing your experiences and insight!
The trail that, Paul, was riding on was familiar, but not well known...lesson learned.
Topper, has been wearing the dome pads on his back feet, and regular pads on his front feet... I do like the idea of the rim pads with the balloon inner rim. Do you use them front and back?
I haven't used the borium shoes, but found this article on a Q&A Forum: Ask the Farrier:
QUESTION:
We usually shoe our horses with borium on all four feet. We have to ride a paved road up the mountian to get to our trails and then back down to camp. I am afraid that without borium my horse will slip and risk injury. Will this be harmful to my MFT if I use borium? I am afraid of the consequences if I do not use it. Any suggestions? Linda
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ANSWER:
Linda,
Borium is applied on the toe and heel areas, usually in clumps. The things that I have against borium applied in this manner are:
1) They are not conducive to gaiting as they stop ANY movement of the foot from the moment of touching down.
2) With the build up of material on the toes the breakover timing is changed, which also could effect the ability to gait.
3) The lack of foot movement can cause undue torsion on knees and hocks causing joint damage.
4) If they step on your foot it really HURTS as you can't jerk it out from under them as you can with keg shoes.
My solution to your problem is this. Have your farrier use borium headed nails. They are made by Capewell Co. I have used them on my mare for parades and feel that they worked ok off the pavement. I used two nails to the side of each shoe. (used regular nails in the other nail holes) The borium headed nails do not effect breakover as they are not on the toe. They tend to allow some movement on dirt and gravel, etc. I feel that these nails are a good replacement for borium treated shoes.
Bob
Dear Muffi,
That was a Miracle!...So very glad that, Mark, wasn't badly hurt..or even killed. Was he choppered out of the area?
Paul is also healing well, and doesn't hold, Topper, to blame. He will continue to ride in the snow, but only in...very well known footing areas!
I wanted to add that, my husband, hasn't been riding very long. He was a golfer...hasn't given it up completely...but has decided to "ride" with his wife!
Again, thanks to all for sharing your experiences and insights.
My Very Best,
Tonya
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Member:
pbauer
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2007 - 3:26 pm:
Dear All,
Important additions to my last post:
Dear Cindy...very happy that you made it home safely on that wintery day.
Dear Holly, very glad you were safe and "on top of the situation." ;)
Reflections:
***** This is not an exhaustive list*****
Always ride with a helmet and safety vest...help protect vital organs, etc.
If at all possible, try and ride with another person.
Carry a safety kit for both horse and rider....I think there was a previous post...items to carry in a safety kit?
Cell phone...or GPS device.
Halter and long lead rope.
Winter Riding Tips By Bob Jeffreys ...above post.
AND
****Enjoy the Outback****
My Best,
Tonya
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Member:
dawson
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2007 - 5:01 pm:
Funniest and probably most dangerous. I rode up the incline of an old paved no longer used road, just as we hit the top I turned to hollar back a reply to my riding partner. Now we are on the down side which was a sheet of glassy ice. Being I was on a sure footed quarter horse he kind of sat on his haunches, kept all for feet on the ground and we sailed down without a hitch. NOT RECOMMENDED!! We walked through the woods all the way home.
Our largest and most handsome saddlebred, chestnut, flaxen mane and tail, 17(+)Hands-regal-stunning-...and every winter with the first snow he is like Bambi on ice. One really has to think seriously before considering riding him during the winter, Barium is not a consideration as he would likely impale himself or others. This horse was just meant to be born and live in the tropics...(me too!, its 7 degrees and winds 30-45mph Bbbrrrrr)
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2007 - 9:48 pm:
That would have been great fun to see, Dawson.
A friend in VT just wrote tonight to say that they have almost 5 feet of snow at her house, the wind is blowing 39mph and visibility is zero, and the temps are below zero and have been so all week. She's lived in VT all her life (60 years or so) and says that she can't remember a more frigid snowy winter than this one. Brrrrrrrrrrr! Snuggle up and if you DO ride in the snow, make sure you pick a TALL horse or one with snowshoes.
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 7, 2007 - 1:07 pm:
Snow is actually great to ride in - with out the ice beneath. but when it gets warm and you are in MUD SEASON YUCK!!!! good luck with that Dawson. You might need that 17 h horse to stay above the mud!
I Hate Mud. Here in NM it dries so hard you need a pick ax to get enough leverage to get it out of the hoof... (My guess is that is why the Native Americans here used it for pottery!!!)
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