THEY’RE BACK!!!
Those dreaded little white flakes from hell that co-incidentally fall from the heavens – SNOW!!!
The four letter word that strikes dread into the hearts of many but at this particular point in time every horse owners dream.
Our fall – much like our summer was plagued with rain and mud which is truly every horse owners worst nightmare.
Let me explain in my non technical/like I am 5 years old/draw a picture way.
A humans feet are one of the greatest resources we have – don’t mock – it is true.
They carry us around and bear the brunt of our day to day lives – happy feet are necessary for happy human. Think about it -when your “dogs are barking” nothing better than sitting a spell with a soak in hot water or just up and out of the way on the couch/chair/table (though my Mom would smack me) and just letting them rest.
Well then – imagine 4 “barking dogs” carrying around an average 1,000 lbs of muscle (or in my equines cases more as they are clearly starving) – all day.
Horses do lay down to rest and it gives those 4 feets a break but they do not lay down for long periods as their cavernous innards can only take so much reclining. I’ll explain that at a later date.
Now imagine – if you will – your feet with no shoes on hard ground, rocks, stones, uneven surfaces for most of your day.
With the mud and subsequent freeze – even the most well kept paddocks will have holes and ruts and divots and ankle rolling uneven surfaces.
NOW try and navigate that in bare feet carrying 1,000 lbs.
This gives way to foot (hoof ) bruising and worse yet inner hoof issues.
The horses hoof is made up of many working parts and are not just one solid chunk of well hoof. I am no farrier so I cannot get technical but there are many little soft spots (the frog) which is like the “quick” of your finger nail and there are these minute delicate bones connecting tissue to nerves to bones to the very foundation of your equine friend.
Suffice it to say – wet ground is not good – overly dry ground not good – hard ground not good – cushy snowy ground GOOD!
I am happy to report that while still there are ruts and bumps – there is a nice cushion of snow that is now making it easier for my ponies to move about their daily routine with less effort.
I love snow – snow – it’s my friend right now -I won’t say I will feel the same way about it in 2 months but right now – I’m good.
And now the anatomy of the hoof. All these little working parts need to be kept healthy in order for your equine partner to be at their best. A good farrier is key (I have one) proper cleaning daily and keeping an eye on any anomalies is routine for me – No Hoof – No Horse!
Orange Acres 