hammie
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Posts: 448
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Post by hammie on Dec 11, 2012 13:32:31 GMT 1
Because mine does.  I keep hearing how barefoot horses have great grip in ice, but Snowstorm certainly slithers. And he's a bit of a wuss about it too - mincing along like an old lady. Surely if one foot slips, well, he's still got 3 others?  This is when leading BTW - I haven't ridden him on ice really, though I took him out the other day when I thought it had gone, and he managed to find some ice and skid on it with one foot. Then he seemed quite nervous on the next stretch where it was wet - I think he thought it was more ice. He's also quite footy on the frozen ground. Can't wait for spring! So does anyone's barefoot horse manage fine? |
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Post by BJMM on Dec 11, 2012 13:49:33 GMT 1
Mine manage fine on the frozen ground, even Marygold, who has just had her fronts off. I don't tend to ride on the road when it's icy. I think most will slip, shoes or no, and it's a risk I won't take. Roll on Spring!  |
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Post by mandal on Dec 11, 2012 14:06:19 GMT 1
Mine only slip and go carefully over very slick or black ice. They are all currently storming about the yard which is full of frozen solid lumps and ruts of gravel and yukky sludge. The extremely wet conditions have now become a frozen moonscape.  ps. I had a new vet out yesterday for a check over.., cue, tearing around, bucking, broncing, head tossing etc. of the Shetlands. Most embarrassing.  The cold obviously suits them. |
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Post by clipclop on Dec 11, 2012 14:35:57 GMT 1
Well, I don't think saying 'GREAT grip' on ice is fair. They have BETTER grip without shoes but that doesn't make them immune to slipping.
At the end of the day, horses (generally) have self preservation instincts and going carefully on ice is sensible. If one leg goes then the other 3 aren't always stable so the risk of a broken leg on ice is extremely high. Calling him a 'wuss' is rather unfair imo. I'd rather a horse be sensible than prancing about, slipping all over the place putting himself and handler at risk.
As for riding out in ice/frost - even if your horse has grip, that doesn't mean car drivers will. I for one value my horses too much to take the risk.
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Post by specialized on Dec 11, 2012 14:40:36 GMT 1
On frozen ground there should be no problem with grip, but on ice any horse will have trouble - shod or unshod - so it is not really fair to blame it on being barefoot.
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Post by wabuska on Dec 11, 2012 15:34:52 GMT 1
Rutted frozen ground is one thing, but sheer ice.. I'd stay well clear. Sensible horse.
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Post by jen1 on Dec 11, 2012 15:41:06 GMT 1
i think there aware of what there walking on quicker and go carefully
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Post by ladyndibs on Dec 11, 2012 15:50:50 GMT 1
i think there aware of what there walking on quicker and go carefully That was my thought too. Dibbles minces in the ice and on frozen ground, Silky and Lady are cautious but I think that is self preservation, they would be vulnerable if they fell, though Dibbles minces anyway |
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Post by antares on Dec 11, 2012 16:02:29 GMT 1
There are not many things in this world that have good traction on ice! I dont blame your horsey for going slowly.
I would say shod horses will probably slip more but I would never ask any horse to walk across ice, all four legs could end up going in opposite directions
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Post by fiona on Dec 11, 2012 16:05:39 GMT 1
This might be a stupid question, but I heard it works well for people and might save accidents when leading over icy areas at times where the going is particularly lethal.
Has anyone tried very large socks over the hooves? I don't know if this would work in practice. It is supposed to work well for people over shoes in very icy conditions. I am not sure if the knee high tights would be any use, whether they would grip enough or would break very quickly.
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Post by julz on Dec 11, 2012 16:48:34 GMT 1
Took Jay out once on the long lines and found a patch of ice... despite much encouraging to go round it, he insisted going on it... so on it he went.. when he nearly did the Bambi splits on it, he listened to us and went round the next patch.. so Yes other BF horses do slip on it. the two bad winters we had up there, he spent atleast 6 weeks in his field unable to get out because of the ice rink right outside his gate. Like BJMM I won't risk it.
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Post by clara81 on Dec 11, 2012 16:51:57 GMT 1
Mine slip a little bit, any smooth surface is going to slip on smooth ice. Only one foot usually goes though, they're never in danger of falling. My dogs slip too and they've got grippy pads. It must be like the difference between wearing trainers and wearing tap shoes- you're still gonna slip if you tram straight over the ice in trainers but hopefully not uncontrollably!
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Post by bertie666 on Dec 11, 2012 17:38:22 GMT 1
I think being barefoot makes them like a 4x4 with all terrain tyres - less prone to skating but not immune. Shod horses are like mazaratis doing 90 on an icy country lane |
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Post by highlanderpony2002 on Dec 11, 2012 17:57:44 GMT 1
Socks would be better but now sure how long they would stay on
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Post by shan on Dec 11, 2012 18:25:01 GMT 1
We have just a few feet of hardstanding outside the stables, 2 are shod, 3 are barefoot. I always make the neddies walk really slowly over it, but this morning poor Mr Shetland slipped & fell - he was fine, didn't bat an eyelid but he was the only one who was sliding. Sandy walks on the grass verge if I take her a walk even though the drive isn't slippy, though she too cavorts round the lumpy field like a spring lamb when the mood takes her!! ;D
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The cold obviously suits them. 
