[TwisterRush]

Alrighty, so i went to go brush down my grizzy bear horses lol. But when i went to go and pick indigo's hoofs, his two front (shoed) feet have HUGE SNOWBALLS in them, im thinking of putting a hot cloth on them to melt it, but is there a faster alternetive than using vaseline,,, i dont have any on me,
I will probably be getting his shoe's pulled since i am not riding him right now and it will do his feet good.

Im thinking he would be ready to ride next year spring/summer ?

Anyway's my next issue, is i think he might have thrush, ive only noticed this on the two back hooves, due to the front shoed hooves being snow packed.
( he was already shoed when i had gotten him)
I dont believe i had noticed this before, or i dismissed it as nothing.
I cant really smell anything foul since it is winter.
But here are photos, what do you think ?
(this is the left hind leg)

BTW: i avoided picking his back feet, due to him being a kicker when he eats on the left leg and not knowing him all to well.
It was my first time picking up his hind legs.
Also he is not kept in a muddy area, other than when he ran down the grass where the water trough is, that is the only area it is muddy.

and yes i notice that the hay went bad and i will be raking it out right away.

 

[kevinshorses]

A barefoot horse living outside in the snow is unlikely to have thrush. If it's thrush you will be able to smell it and he may be sore from it. Just ask you farrier when you get him out to trim the horse. Pick out the snowballs and don't worry about it unless your riding him.

 

[TwisterRush]

okay thank you kevin, It doesnt seem to be hurting him at all. I definitally can't smell it, thank you.
I was just rather worried about the odd color.. i have never owned a white horse lol, so im not sure how their hoove's would look.. ive only owned dark coloured horses.

When we get the farrier out i will get him to do that, he does look like he need's a trim.. all the horse i think will need a trim soon.

I dont really know where he lived, if it was inside or outside after i had gotten him. But currently he is outside.

 

[barefoothooves]

Thrush CAN certainly happen to horses on snow-esp around the round bale of hay, as they tend to eat and poop in the same area and not move enough to fling out the poo. It doesn't have to smell or be causing obvious pain, if it's a mild infection, but should still be handled so it won't become worse. I do see some black crud in the grooves, but with pics, it may or may not be a big deal, but I'd just try to pick the feet out a bit more often, now that you are more familiar with the horse. =) Just removing the manure in the feet on a regular basis can really help clear up mild thrush without further treatments, depending on the situation. Plus, it keeps good manners with regular handling of the feet.

For the snowballing-cooking spray works pretty well sometimes...easier to get on than vaseline, too. Just spray and go. Try to avoid getting on the shoe, though. Don't want to lubcriate the only traction he's got.

 

[TwisterRush]

Okay i will try to get my hand's on some cooking spray, what kind would you recommend ?

 

[barefoothooves]

Any brand would do, I'd think. PAM is the only brand name I know-I tend to be cheap and buy the store brands. =)

 

[TwisterRush]

thanks

 

[riccil0ve]

I would definitely pick out the snowballs. I would worry about your horse tweaking an ankle or something having to walk on balls. I also find that when they don't have shoes, it's a lot easier to prevent the snowballs.

As far as thrush, you aren't going to hurt the hooves by putting thrush buster on it.

 

[iridehorses]

I agree with Barefoot but I used to use WD-40 when I lived in PA. It was more widely available and less expensive then food spray.

 

[sillybunny11486]

I know people who get pads in the winter for their horses so they dont snow ball. If he has a stall at night it should melt, but if hes out 24/7 it can be an issues. it can be uncomfortable at the least. It you leave them in there they can effect his joints ligaments and tendond. Its an unnatural way to stand.

 

[5cuetrain]

Horses have been dealing with snow for centuries. Pull his shoes and leave it.

 

[RiosDad]

Horses have been dealing with snow for centuries. Pull his shoes and leave it.

Some of us use our horse though the winter. My best riding is winter but I have to deal with alot of ice. I run the groomed packed snowmobile trails and some of the sections are slick ice. Properly studded a horse can lope safely over glare ice.
I was actually barefoot right up until this snow storm hit us a few days ago. Then on goes the shoes, the studs and the rim pads. I will pull the shoes come spring, run barefoot until bug season and then on go the shoes and I run roads until fall when once agian off come the shoes.
Wear and traction are my reason for shoing. Shoing was invented for the wear on war ponies not so some farrier could make money.

 

[Alwaysbehind]

Cooking spray, vaseline or WD-40 all work but only for a short time. They do not work good enough to put on once a day and forget about it.

Either pull your boys shoes for the winter or get him snow pads so he does not get those nasty snow balls.