Horse snow safety!
Most of us have this romantic notion that snow and horses are meant to be together… and sometimes this is true! It’s fun and cool to see horses rolling, playing, and pawing in the snow. But every now and again, some real issues crop up that can harm your horse. And if the snow is really deep with lots of road closures – your Vet may not be able to get to you.
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Ice is not your friend.
The hazards of snow for your horse include:
- Tripping and twisting and tweaking legs. This depends on how deep the snow is, how silly your horse acts in the snow, and just some bad luck. It’s exhausting to walk through snow that’s a foot deep or more – and it’s also tricky to pick up your legs – which can lead to injuries!
- Snow hides stuff. Frozen ground that has hoof imprints, tire marks, and all sorts of other rock-solid topographical challenges can damage your horse’s hooves. Bruises are a real possibility. Snow also hides ice – and I think we can all relate to crashing down by slipping on ice. A horse going down is a terrifying thought.
Even barefoot hooves can get “snow high heels”.
- Snow can create frozen high-heeled shoes for your horse. A recipe for disaster – including torn soft tissues and broken bones. Snow can be “wet” or “dry” or somewhere in between, and at some point, the snow can pack into your horse’s hooves. Barefoot horses are not immune to this!
- You can get special snow inserts from your farrier, you can get all sorts of studs and borium on your horse’s shoes, or you can oil up the hoof and be smart about letting your horse walk around in the snow. For climates that only see the occasional snow, you probably have little need for the snow pads or borium, so keep some oily goodness on hand. Grooming oils or cooking sprays often work. Hoof picks hung on stall doors and paddock gates allow you to do some hoof snow picking easily.
Grooming oils can create a hoof surface that is less likely to collect snow.
Borrow the zeolites for ammonia to sprinkle around sidewalks and paths. It won’t turn to slush like cat litter and salts, and helps things grip.
The benefits of snow for horses include:
- Bright chrome! Snow is nature’s stain remover.
- Cooled hooves and legs. A horse that struggles with laminitis, bruises, or soft tissue injuries may benefit from standing in the snow.
That’s a lot of snow!
- Don’t forget about wonderful photo opportunities!
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This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.
If hooves are your jam, this book is for you.
A simple and trusted hoof supplement.
The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.
Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.
Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.
Feed your horse's hoof health from the inside out.
This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.
The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.
These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.
This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.
These boots are great for protecting barefoot horses.
A classic pattern in a modern colorway. And it's so thick!
Soak up all the sweat and water with this Irish Knit, best for warm weather use.
Irish knits are the best wicking coolers for warmer weather.
Square coolers are traditional and versatile, and wick more than a fleece cooler.
Help your horse cool out in hot and humid weather.
This style is great for riding!
Keep your horse dry and visible with this reflective quarter sheet.
This heavyweight turnout blanket gets even warmer with the neck.
Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse.
For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better.
This turnout sheet doesn't have fill, and is great for windy and rainy days.
This affordable heavy blanket will keep your horse warm in the worst weather and cold snap.
Be seen from space with this hi-viz quarter sheet. Keep your horse's bum safe and dry.
Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying.
Keep your horse dry during bad weather, this rain sheet is also great for windy days.
These fly masks are fantastic for protecting ears and eyes, and do great under halters and grazing muzzles to stop rubs and hairless patches.
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Thank you!
