hoof boots for turnout in snow?

[NoVAOwner]

my big warmblood with special feet can not go without his bar shoes up front over the winter. the snow tends to ball into his feet and create HUGE balls that are dangerous. He currently lives out 24/7 with a run in - but never uses the run in.

I have tried vaseline - doesn’t help

• cotton, vet wrap, and duct tape - works for a day or two
• pads - bruises his feet and didn’t stop the snowballs.

farrier suggested perhaps boots for the snow days… I have no experience with boots but thought someone here may be able to offer suggestions…would be for use in pasture and perhaps a walking hack around the fields.

without another suggestion we will just pack his feet wtih cotton and wrap with vet wrap and duct tape until snow melts…

TIA

[LuvMyperch]

I have a Percheron who cannot walk on frozen ruts…I really wish we would get about 6inches of snow…he then would be fine. I have a pair of Boa boots for him that really REALLY help him alot and they are very sturdy and do NOT come off.

The down side is that, leaving the boots on for more than a day makes for a warm wet environment and condusive to thrushy feet. And, Im not sure that hoof boots are designed to go over regular shoes. Anybody know?

[chicamux]

You can use Easy Boots over shoes as long as you size then right. This type of use voids the mfgr waranty. You would want to add studs to the boots.

I keep my horses shod all winter and use a pour-in type of pad (that I do myself) as a snow pad. I can shape the material as it sets so that it creates a smooth concave surface on the bottom of the hoof and up to the bearing surface of the shoes. This smooth concave shape will let snow fall off the bottom of the hoof. I also use borium nails, 4 per shoe, for traction. I actually have the borium nails on them year round for traction on pavement, and all other surfaces.

Bonnie

[baylady7]

you can try hoofwings, www.hoofwing.com but my guy does best barefoot in the snow so I do not use mine in the snow.