Ice, snow, mud: They’re all liable to cause some unforeseen hoof and leg
problems. To prevent your horse from slipping, shovel walkways between paddock
and barn, and use salt or sand for extra grip. Consider asking your farrier to
install borium —a super hard steel—studs on your horse’s shoes if you plan to
ride outdoors in the wintertime.
To prevent snowballs from building up in
his hooves, coat the under side of the hoof with Vaseline. Also, consider asking
your farrier to add pads to your winter shoeing routine.
Hard, frozen ground
can wreak havoc on your horse’s hooves, especially if they are dry. Use hoof
dressing liberally during the winter, especially on unshod horses prone to
cracking.
Pick out your horse’s hooves every day, at least once, even if you
are not riding. Snow and frozen mud can cause bruises on his soles.
Stumble It!
