Horse driving on snow – is it protected?

A few of us within the UK have not too long ago discovered ourselves having to barter snowy climate, so H&H investigates whether or not it’s protected to trip on snow

It could look deep and crisp and even — however is driving on snow snow actually protected? It’s a dilemma dealing with many house owners whose horses grow to be stable-bound when temperatures plummet.

At Jeremy Scott’s yard, excessive up on the outskirts of Exmoor Nationwide Park, the pointers and racehorses hold exercising by way of the white stuff — in sure situations.

“It is dependent upon the kind of snow,” says coach Camilla Scott. “Some snow balls up within the horses’ ft, however the delicate, powdery stuff we trip on falls again out once more, so we don’t should put something of their hooves. We trip throughout fields the place we all know the bottom is nice beneath, and we solely stroll and trot.

“Just a few horses don’t like the best way the snow flicks up and hits their bellies, however most love being out in it,” provides Camilla, who advises exercising further warning in thawing or icy situations or the place snow has drifted.

Using on snow: Pads, studs and grease

Pads to stop snow balling are extra frequent in colder international locations. Choices embody rubber bubble pads that “pop” the snow from the hoof, and tube-type rim pads that dislodge snowballs whereas permitting the frog and sole to breathe.

Using on exhausting frost or ice is mostly to be prevented, though horses in some snowbound elements of the world proceed working with particular studs or footwear that present higher traction.

Farrier Haydn Value factors out that snow not often lasts lengthy sufficient within the UK to warrant using specialist merchandise or strategies.

“The old school technique of greasing works nicely sufficient,” he says. “Coat the soles and the within of the footwear with actually thick, high-density industrial grease. It received’t harm the hooves, within the quick time period, and it’ll cease snow balling up inside them.”

The barefoot query

Nic Barker, who runs a rehabilitation yard for horses with long-term lameness and hoof issues, reckons that horses are higher in snow than a 4×4 automobile.

“I like it when it snows,” says Nic. “We regularly get snowed in as we reside up on Exmoor, however with a yardful of barefoot horses, that doesn’t imply day without work. In actual fact, it means you don’t have any excuse for avoiding exercising them, as barefoot horses enjoy snowy situations.

“Whereas snow may cause issues for shod horses — balling and freezing onto the metallic within the shoe and creating harmful snow ‘stilts’ — with a barefoot horse the snow merely falls out. They will stick with it as regular, fully sure-footed.”

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