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  Discussion on Icey Paddock- what to use?
Author Message
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 11:22 am:

I have an area in my paddock that is extremely icy. We need to improve the paddock drainage in the spring, but for now, what can I spread on the ice in order to improve traction for my horse? He is very arthritic and I'm afraid he will fall. I have tried dirt and shavings and seem to work well. Can anyone suggest anything else that is safe for horses? The icy part of the paddock is on dirt, so I don't have to worry about damaging grass.

thank you!
Member:
kathrynr

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 12:22 pm:

Hi Danielle,
I asked a similar question last week and someone gave me the clever idea of cat litter. It decomposes and is not a problem like the salt de-icers.
I just bought some today to try - we had lots of rain yesterday that may freeze. I'll let you know how it works for me.
Kat
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 1:23 pm:

My paddock where the horses live for the winter is dirt also. I do use some ice-melt salt, and I sprinkle the cheapest clay cat litter on top of that. By using the salt first, the ice starts melting and the cat litter then sticks to it better.

We all have a bag of cat litter the trunk of our cars too. Our 4 barn cats are never without litter, just have to some times borrow from different areas!
Member:
erika

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 7:39 pm:

Oh, Angie, I tried the clay litter on my walkways one year. It dissolves into a slippery mess! Plus it messes up your floors.

My friend told me to use the old fashioned kind that looks sort of like mica. Pellet-ish, but doesn't dissolve. But I didn't try cat litter any more after my yucky disaster...

You could also try a sandy or gravel mix sprinkled on the ice. That's what works on my north sloped driveway. The ice refreezes there all winter, but the grit still gives traction.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 7:40 pm:

barn lime that comes in a bag works well too. After living through the iciest winter last year in my memory (and this one is starting the same) ice melt and chopping is the best thing, but a lot of work. The barn lime and or used shavings worked best for me. The thing I didn't like about shavings was the ice underneath took forever to thaw in the spring, even tho I tried to scrape it off the ice it was froze solid to it
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