Booties for horse with ice feet

[MarkLeininger]

We have two horses, one is a Paso Fino which is a small breed with small feet. In the snow, which we just had another ton of, she gets ice balls that form in the frog of her front feet and it keeps building up until it's like she's trying to walk on high heels made of ice. She has great feet and has never worn or needed shoes. We've tried a few homemade "socks", but they either fall off or tear or something.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to put on her feet to prevent this? Maybe the rubber booties I see police horse wear in the city? Or is there some special shoe the farrier could put on?

 

[Tevi]

Rap cloth around them and then duct tape.I thought I saw it all until I saw my vet do this.It may be a good temporary fix until you find boots.

 

[Tevi]

Also look at www.statelinetack.com

 

[rozett]

My registered Quarter Horse only wears front shoes all year round. During the winter, the farrier installs "push outs" under the shoes. Basically, they are a rubber (or synthetic) disk that has a round dimple in the middle. The disk keeps snow/ice from jamming into the hoof. What snow does get jammed in the middle of the shoe, gets pushed out by that dimple when he lifts his hoof. Here's a picture.

 

[MarkLeininger]

I like the price of duct tape, I think I'll try that. We don't want to shoe her since she has good feet, otherwise the dimple thingie looks like a clever idea.

 

[Tevi]

Let me know how it works out

 

[cowboydoc]

You want to be careful about using the boots full-time. They will get snow in them and it will melt and create a very warm moist environment. This is ideal conditions for thrush to develop. I would be careful of using the duct tape long term as well.

On our shod horses we also use the snowball pads. Works great. We rarely have a problem with unshod horses. Possibly the horse is in need of a trim. Try spraying PAM in the hoof. This will usually keep the snow from balling if applied daily. You can also use wd-40 but it tends to dry the hoof out if used alot.

 

[rozett]

Thanks, Doc. I knew there was an official name for them. I've only heard them called pushouts. Did a google on snowball pads and got lots of pics.

Thanks...

 

[mwechtal]

Mark,
You may want to consider shoes just for traction. I remember trail riding in the winter, and crossing a road that had maybe a 10 deg. grade and ice on it. My horse, shod with shoes with caulks walked across it like it wasn't there. Just as I was turning to warn my friend, her horse, which was not shod, hit the ice and did a split sort of. All I know is that horse was thrashing like crazy. It all happened too fast for me to really register what happened. It would have been funny but I was afraid that her or the horse was going to get hurt, and they were my 2 best friends!

Mike

 

[MarkLeininger]

Duct tape lasted a little less than one day. We're trying vaseline now, but the pam sounds a lot easier. Thanks for that tip. The farrier says she doesn't need a trim. I think the problem is that her feet are so small that it's easier for the snow to turn into an ice plug that won't work its way out.