How do horses’ hooves fare in the harshest winter weather? The
coldest months of the year bring hard and uneven frozen ground, icy patches,
blowing snow drifts, and frigid temperatures. What special hoof care do most horses
need in colder weather?
R.T. Goodrich, a West Coast farrier, shared several
suggestions (in a private interview) for caring for horse hooves in winter.
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Winter horse hoof
care presents scheduling challenges.
Cold, snowy weather can be hard on horses’ hooves and
farrier scheduling, as R.T. Goodrich outlined. Canceled or postponed hoof
trimming and horseshoeing appointments are common.
“For the first 15 or so years of my career, I lived in North
Central Washington.” Goodrich recounted. “There’s quite a bit of snow in
winter, and my biggest challenge was keeping my clients on a regular trimming
schedule in winter months, as most horses are turned out.”
Colder months may
bring muddy hoof problems in certain regions.
Now working in Northern California, R.T. Goodrich faces
another sticky horse hoof concern.
“We have a great deal of mud to contend with, from November
to about May,” he said. I advise my clients to provide dry areas for their
horses.”
Mud can loosen horseshoes and also trap moisture in horse
hooves, leading to deterioration or infections like thrush.
Special winter horseshoes
and pads can be useful.
Horses used throughout winter months generally continue
wearing their regular horseshoes. Equines who work outdoors may benefit from
cold-weather horseshoes and protective sole pads in many regions.
Snow pads reduce the build-up of snow and ice inside a
horse’s hoof, while tungsten carbide surfacing on horseshoes can add points or
studs to increase traction on slippery surfaces.
“Working ranch and feed lot horses may be shod with snow
pads and tungsten carbide for traction, particularly on icy concrete,” R.T.
Goodrich stated. “I have very few horses here in California that take any time
off. There’s very little down time in my show barns, so shoeing stays the same
throughout the year.”
Most idle horses do
best without shoes in winter.
Although farriers may debate this point, many hoof care
experts advise horses go barefoot in winter, particularly if those equines are
retired, pastured or given the winter months off.
R.T. Goodrich agrees. “I’m always in favor of pulling shoes
when horses aren’t being used,” he contended. “In Washington State, most of my
client horses were trimmed and not used in winter months. TI tended to leave a
little more foot for protection. The ground up there freezes very hard, and
it’s like walking on gravel.”
Hoof supplements may
help strengthen equine feet in winter.
Although he does not recommend topical horse hoof
treatments, R.T. Goodrich does endorse the use of feed supplements for stronger
hooves in many cases. Equine hoof supplements may contain biotin, amino acids, and other healthy ingredients to strengthen hooves.
“I do recommend quality nutritional supplements when needed,”
he said. Of course, no hoof supplement can substitute for a healthy equine
diet.
Routine hoof care
should continue throughout winter months.
Horse owners and stable staffers may be reluctant to
schedule farrier appointments in inclement weather, but equine hoof health
depends upon this practice. Horse hooves may grow somewhat slower in colder
temperatures, but they may chip and crack under such conditions.
“My shoeing interval doesn’t vary much in winter,” R.T.
Goodrich recounted. “Active show horses are done every five weeks, and the rest
go about every six weeks. Each horse is an individual with his own needs, but I
use the same basic methods for old, young, retired or active horses.”
Who is R. T.
Goodrich?
R.T. Goodrich is a 25-year veteran farrier and owner of North Bay Farrier Service,
located north of San Francisco, California. Although R.T. Goodrich focuses
primarily on shoeing sport horses, he has worked with nearly all equine breeds.
He is an AFA Certified Journeyman, AFA Approved Certification Tester and AAEP
Vet/Farrier Short Course Clinician.
In 2005, R.T. Goodrich traveled to Louisiana to provide hoof
and veterinary care for hundreds of horses displaced by Hurricane Katrina and
Hurricane Rita.
Image/s:
Adapted from public domain artwork
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