Re: snow-packed hooves
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] The quickest easiest way to remove packed snow from a hoof is to pick it up and tap on the side gently with a hammer. It will pop right out. Maybe in warmer climes! but here in the very cold Alaska, with below zero temps, quite often with fresh snow (and especially if they have shavings in their run-in shed), the snow will form very hard balls which I remove with a claw hammer, using the claw side, carefully of course..hoof picks won't do it. I just try to catch the claw in the ice ball to pop it out. I never hit the hoof itself. If they have winter shoes on, I use the rim snow pads..the very best thing. Works here maybe better than down south where you have bare ground part of the winter, walking around on gravel and mud could destroy the tubes so they won't function properly. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, where it is SNOWING, Hooray! and +3F We had all of 8 inches total precipitation in 2001! (normal averages 13) This would be desert if it weren't for the cold seasons and permafrost! Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: snow-packed hooves
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] As mentioned, snowball pads which can be used all around or just in front on shod horses. The quickest easiest way to remove packed snow from a hoof is to pick it up and tap on the side gently with a hammer. It will pop right out. Hope this helps. Vivian C.
Re: snow-packed hooves
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The first thing you need to do is remove shoes if the horse is wearing them. Most horses will not have a problem with snow packing in the hooves if they are barefoot. The easiest way to remove the packed snow is to pry it out from the heal forward with a hoof pick; it'll usually come right out in one big hunk. If you have, and must keep shoes on your horse, you'll need to pick them out daily or risk tendon injury. Yes, winter can be a pain!! Good luck. Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: snow-packed hooves
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? Yesthey'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]
snow-packed hooves
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Is there any way to keep the snow, ice, etc. from getting packed in the hooves? It's packed in there really good. What's the best way to clean it out? We were thinking warm water to help loosen it. I know it falls out after awhile, but it is bothersome to us.
