This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Is there any way to keep the snow, ice, etc. from > getting packed in the > hooves?
Yes....they're called 'snow pads'(or just plain 'pads'). We used them when we lived in Montana and needed a horse to be shod in the winter. Back then the pads required the proper shoe, so that the rubber pad could slip into a groove between the shoe and the hoof. Don't know if a special shoe is still required or not. If a horse is barefoot the snow and ice usually doesn't stay in the hoof for very long. It just slides out - usually frontwards. If it seems to be stuck in the hoof you can usually just 'encourage' it towards the toe with a hoofpick. We used plastic hoofpicks so as not to accidentally stick the horse in the heel if the pick slipped while dislodging the snow. Usually their feet are warm enough that the snow and ice comes out periodically. I suppose you could try spraying the sole of the foot with some sort of teflon spray so the snow won't stick, but that might also make them slip around on the ice and snow. Any ideas here? Anyone ever try this? Mary ===== Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED]
