Article borrowed from thehorse Top Winter Hoof Care Tips Despite the fact that horse owners across the country might be willing it away, winter will be here before we know it. That means its time to start planning and preparing for cold and snow. And during planning, its important to remember the structures that will stand between your horse and the snowy and icy ground: his hooves. Scott Fleming, DVM, of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Anoka Equine Veterinary Service in Anoka, Minnesota—two veterinarians passionate about hoof care—recently shared their suggestions for keeping your horses hooves healthy this winter: Plan ahead Discuss shoeing options with your farrier, including scheduling and shoeing needs specific to your terrain and weather. Beware of foot concussion Turner advises owners to take caution when riding in the cold. “Using thermal imaging in winter, we frequently can’t find horses’ legs,” he says. “There’s not a lot of peripheral circulation there. So, if you’re going on a trail ride, use common sense about pounding your horse down the trail; foot concussion prevention may be compromised during winter.” Fleming adds, “In areas where it gets really cold and the ground frozen, horses that are fine during summer may get sole bruising. Keep that in mind, whether you need to put them in soft-ride boots or, if you’re doing conventional shoeing, putting pads in.” Prevent snow balling Snow balling up inside your horse’s shoes can also cause sole-related injuries. A variety of pads are available to limit the amount of snow that can pack into the frog and sole areas: flat leather pads to keep snow out; urethane rim-type pads that force snow out; and bubble pads with tennis-ball-shaped centers that pop snow out. Adjust blanket fit Eliminate your horses chances of catching a hoof or shoe on too-long straps or ill-fitting blankets. Having a winter hoof care plan in place ahead of time can help eliminate worries during the deep freeze.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:17:32 +0000
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