There are several unique options for protecting your horse's hooves when you decide to go riding in winter weather. Ice and snow present several possibilities for disaster, so prepared riders will fare much better on these excursions. If you live in a place where ice and snow often accumulate on the ground, you'll need to find some way to ensures your horse's hooves are safe.
Studs
The most popular choice for protecting your horse's hooves during the winter is screw-in studs, which are often used on event riders for tight jumping courses and cross-country. Studs are similar to the cleats on a baseball-players shoes, and screw into the holes in your horse's shoes.
The problem with screw-in studs is that installing them is an art. If you haven't done it before, you might spend three hours with your horse in a grooming stall, trying to get them in. They also must be removed after each ride to avoid damaging the hoof or creating heel bruises.
Ice Nails
These nails are specially crafted to help your horse gain traction in ice and snow when riding in the winter. Rather than using traditional horseshoe nails, your farrier can install ice nails, which have altered heads for safety on ice. They remain in your horse's shoes just like regular nails until your next scheduled farrier visit.
Unfortunately, however, ice nails are likely to wear down depending on how much riding you do. If you ride your horse over ice every day during the winter, or on other hard surfaces, the heads of the nails will begin to corrode, losing effectiveness. This might necessitate extra farrier visits, so be prepared.
Dura-Tec
Similar to ice nails, Dura-Tec nails are used in place of regular farrier nails and are capped with tungsten rather than borium. This means that they aren't nearly as durable as ice nails, but are far less likely to strain ligaments or create heel bruises, especially if they are used primarily on the posterior end of the hoof.
Dura-Tec nails are ideal for riders who take their horses out in the snow, and are unlikely to encounter much ice. Because these nails don't protrude as much as ice nails, they don't create as much traction and are therefore unsafe on consistent icy roads or fields.
Snowball Pads
One of the most dangerous aspects of riding your horse in snow and ice is the potential for clumps of snow to pack around the horse's frog. The cavity created by the hoof wall and the shoe is ideal for hard snow, and can create frog bruises and serious discomfort for the horse.
Snowball pads are a great way to cut down on the clumping of snow. These pads are either riveted to the shoe by nails or they are slipped on afterward, and are designed to sluice snow away from the frog of the hoof. They cover the entire bottom of the hoof, protecting it from snow.
Hoof Grips
Alternatively, you might want to use hoof grips when you ride your horse through ice and snow. These are similar to the cushion pads farriers use on horses who have sore feet, and are riveted to the hoof. Materials vary, but they only cover a portion of the hoof so that the frog can be cleaned after winter rides.
The materials you use to protect your horse's hooves during winter riding will depend on where you live and how often you'll plan to ride in the ice and snow. Just make sure your horse is as comfortable as possible, and don't forget to talk to your farrier or veterinarian about your options.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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