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Post by kmmom on Mar 11, 2003 21:00:27 GMT -5
As Claire said, I spread shavings on the ice to and in my paddock. There is always a reserve of "wet spot" shavings in a stall in the winter that I leave for those special "icy day" occasions. Dry shavings don't stick to dry ice, as you found out, but wet shavings work like magic. After a thin layer of wet shavings, you can add another layer of drier stuff which will pack down to make very nice footing. Or you can time it so you spread the shavings later in the day, when the ice/snow has softened. The added attraction of the packed trail is that in the spring the packed areas thaw later than the bare areas, leaving some semi-dry footing while the rest is a sea of mud. I actually develop a trail to the higher area of paddock so the horses can get to it in the spring while the lower areas dry out. It is a fair amount of work, but it means there is seldom a day that I don't turn out, and I'm the wimpy protective kind, not the "24/7 brave the elements" kind.
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Post by Katmease on Mar 11, 2003 22:21:52 GMT -5
Well, the majority of our horses are out 24/7 and have no problems with it. I don't turn out our stall horses on it when it's terrible. Some of our friends lost a mare a couple of years ago when they turned her out, her rear legs splayed out & she had to be put down.
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Post by CC on Mar 12, 2003 10:20:33 GMT -5
When Marc was a 2 yr. old he was truned out with the TB farm's broodmares in a huge run-in. That winter, we had terrible ice storms. Our stalled horses were in he barn for (and I kid you not!!!) 2 WEEKS straight! He did fine.
But, I won't turn-out if it is very icy. Some patches ok, but lakes-nope. Right now, I have manure/shavings trails to all the paddocks because the walk ways got so icy. I had to spread some dirty shavings/old hay in front of the water tubs (I did this when the ice turned to water during the day so it would stick when it re-froze) but otherwise, my fields stayed ok (one advantage of bing so hilly, I guess!).
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Post by jennifer2 on Mar 19, 2003 17:40:56 GMT -5
Two out of three times I've had potential buyers out to look at Aramis, who is very ice-coordinated, he's been a hair off, and my best guess is he did something goofy on the ice in his pasture. They can lose footing at a walk, NOT fall, and still pull or strain something. I know I do it all the time myself. That's one of those risk evaluation things we all have to do for ourselves. I know there are many many things I do with my own beasties that I would NEVER do with somebody else's animals. If I had outside horses I would NEVER turn one out against the owner's wishes. I am ECSTATIC and VERY VERY THANKFUL to have my horses at my house where I am the only one who can hurt them.  |
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