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Discussion on Ice turnout
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2009 - 7:46 pm:
Dr.O. or anyone dealing with this ice what do you do? The horses pasture has quite a bit of ice, and it isn't going anywhere for quite awhile from the forecast, actually more is expected the end of the week. I read the article and the part that says broken legs sends shivers down my spine When we got the ice I locked the horses in their lean to /paddock. They were going a bit stir crazy so over the weekend I let them out and watched. Obviously they are quite adept at avoiding the ice, as I watched them pick their way out to the pasture, with no problems, other than walking carefully. So today we got a very light dusting of snow, just enough to cover the ice so you can't see it, yet not enough for any type of traction, actually it seems even more slick.
Do horses remember where the "bad spots" are if they can't see them? There is too much ice to really "treat" it. I have salted their main paths. If you recall our pastures are nothing but hills. Any words of wisdom? They are locked in tonight as I try to figure this out.
Thanks
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 7:34 am:
Hi Diane,
We've been dealing with a similar situation. We had 2+ feet of snow before Christmas, which then melted in 36 hours and then refroze. The ground is a rutted, bumpy, frozen, slippery mess and right now there is not enough snow to cushion it.
I think the horses do remember where the worst footing is: I tried to bring my mare in for a ride about 2 weeks ago. I took the usual path towards the back gate closest to the barn and she planted her feet and refused to follow...something she never does. Normally, I would not tolerate that kind of behavior, but given the treacherousness of the ground, I wasn't going to risk a fight and injury to her, so we turned around and used another gate. All the mares in her pasture have stayed away from the worst area and the BO has been feeding them (and hauling water buckets to them since the normal water trough is in that bad area) where they are most comfortable.
That said, horses will be horses and you never know what might set them off. If you are really concerned, keep them in the paddock. They may get a bit restless, but better safe than sorry. Once the ground gets better/safer, you can let them out to blow off steam.
We're getting snow again, so I'm hoping it's enough to help with the footing. However, they are talking record lows next week...I'll be out of town for a meeting but it won't stop me from worrying...
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 8:01 am:
Thanks Fran, I guess that's the way to go, especially with the hills. They changed our forecast which resembles your 3 in of snow and then record cold...I hope 3 ins. is enough for traction, which I think it will be.
Since I locked them off the big bale for the most part they stay more active. Yesterday as I was coming down the road I could see the geldings were standing on top of the manure pile (about a 5 foot high frozen mound. They looked like mountain goats As I was pulling in the drive I could see they were pawing through it looking for pieces of discarded hay...I told ya they are hogs!...Just a weird day all around!
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 10:38 am:
Too funny Diane!
I would keep them in too. I would bet money they remember where the bad spots are, but wouldn't bet my horses' safety on it ;)
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 12:20 pm:
Diane, us too as you know. My pasture looked like Minnesota for days. The ground was frozen but snow was melting and I have diggers so potholes all over! Only the mustang and the young FT mare run and play I don't watch! Then when it All melted we became a swamp of slick mud and that brought new fears of sliding stops into fences and barn but they maneuvered thru it all! To top it off while picking up 4 wks of exposed mt. poops I realized there were bugs/flies in the air which is just Not Fair!!
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 1:16 pm:
Well I might be the odd man out here but what i have noticed with my horses is when I turn them out after being locked in the corral for a few days is they will run and carry on.
If they have daily turnout they behave much more sensible.
So I have decided that it is safer for them to be turned out every day.
Although with the very bad ice you are talking about I would probably keep them in until it snowed also.
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 4:23 pm:
Hi Diane, When I have been in your position where some areas are very icy and some not...I have kept horses in, but hand walked them in safe areas. As little as 10 - 15 minutes 2 x per day can make a huge difference in the horses mental and physical well being. I know it's not the same as being out for the day...but they really appreciate a brisk walk and some fresh air and you won't spend the day worrying.
Best of luck.
Ike.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 4:50 pm:
I decided to leave them out for awhile when I get home, that way I don't have to picture them laying there with a broken leg while I'm at work....they seem happy with that, And I can watch them break their leg . They actually are very careful about taking the no ice paths, but one never knows when they may have a burst of energy!
Ike their "lock up" area is actually the lean to and a decent sized paddock (ice free), so they can still move around a bit.
Here's a pic of their paddock...snow is gone now, but you get an idea how big it is. They still feel the need to get out as you can tell by the way they line up at the gate.
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Member:
pattyb
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 5:36 pm:
Nice picture Diane.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 6:21 pm:
Hi D
I struggle with this too. I usually chicken out and keep them stalled....and then have to deal with the explosive turnout once weather is better.
sending warm thoughts your way...errr for the cold snap that is
LeslieC
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 10:52 pm:
HI all,
Sometimes I think horses are smarter than we are. Here in Central NJ we are not dealing with the same type of weather, although it has been cold and we have have had several days where the paddocks have been frozen and icy.
One of my horses is a bit of a nut case and if she stays stalled more than 12 hours, she is like a loose caboose when she finally gets out.
Yesterday was one of those days where she wound up staying in more than her own allowable limit because of very heavy rains and then some ice. I just knew she would explode once let out, but I had to do it. She surprised me, she took a few steps as if she was going to go into her usual routine, she stopped realized the footing wasn't good and then just trotted around the front area of the paddock. Normally she takes off as fast as she can to go down to the other end of the field. Half the time I can't even look because I am sure she's going to kill herself.
I think they have a sixth sense about footing and they know what they can and can't do.
If at all possible I try to leave them out and try not to have these episodes where they get overly explosive (these episodes make me nervous), but I felt bad about putting her out in the pouring rain.
Rachelle
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 11:05 pm:
Nice Picture Diane.....What a beautiful landscape...where do you live? I can see why your herd is waiting at the gate! I would be too!
It IS a decent size "lean-to" paddock, and I can see that they could move around.
I still swear by a brisk 10 - 15 minute handwalk (more walking than some horses do when turned out on their own all day!) a couple of times a day when restricted. I see far less "explosions" after the fact.
Hopefully you'll have some thawing soon!
Ike.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 10:11 am:
We are dealing with a lot of ice also. The fields haven't been too bad until recently. The problem has been getting to the fields. Even their pens have been solid ice until mid-afternoon. We had a foot of snow, then snow and rain, which froze, then a little more snow. Suddenly, we went from high's in the low 20's to almost 60! Everything melted and turned to slushy water. Nights still down well below freezing. Now everything is covered in a couple of inches of ice. I'm terrified I'll fall and break something just getting to the barn to feed.
I've been in S. Calif. the last couple of days, and while down there read an article in some horse mag or other that you should put crumbled alfalfa down on the ice. The dark color will help the ice melt, it's not harmful to hooves or the soil, and if the horses eat it, it won't hurt them. I'm going to go buy some rabbit pellets today and make a pathway to the barn to try it out. In the past I've tried putting shavings down,, and it just keeps the ice from melting. I think cat litter would work, also. I'm going to try which ever is the least expensive.
As the ground is right now, I'd be afraid to even lead a horse to the fields, let alone hand walk one for anytime. One or both of us would fall down for sure!
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 10:36 am:
Sara if you are having to walk on ice you really need to get yourself some Yaktrax - I got ours three years ago - just looked at mine and it looks like they might be getting ready to break where they are stretched across the bottom of my boot - my husband has the ones that buckle and his look fine - I haven't slipped once with them on my boots and we have a bunch of ice - Before we got them I went down several times just trying to make it from the house to the barn. Sides that - mine glow in the dark
Cheryl
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 11:14 am:
I wore my ughs this a.m. and they are pretty slip resistant, BUT...they don't glow in the dark! Where'd you get the yaktacks?
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 11:19 am:
Hey, I just looked real quick and Cabella's has them. Thanks.
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 12:40 pm:
I think we got them from Cabella's - pretty sure - You might want to spring for the more expensive ones with the buckle - they apparently hold up a lot longer - Don't know how many times they have kept me from ending up on my butt - they have more than paid for themselves.
Cheryl
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2009 - 3:13 pm:
I love the Yak Traks, but I've had mine for 2 weeks and they broke Mine take a beating tho, and I don't remove them when not walking on ice (that would take all day switching back and forth) That said I find they help on the slick ice, but if it is just pure, smooth, shiny ice..there's quite a bit of slip to them IME. If I turn my feet sideways when walking on that type of ice it helps a lot. On normal ice they can't be beat!!! OH and don't walk on smooth cement with them, I learned that the hard way by doing the splits
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 8:15 am:
Diane what kind of shoes are you wearing them on? I've always had mine on my insulated snow boots - never had any trouble walking on anything with them - You should probably get the buckle kind - would be much easier to take them off when you don't need them - My husband's look brand new - and he has worn them more than I've worn mine. But his don't glow in the dark
Cheryl
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 8:47 am:
Cheryl, I have the yaktrak pros with the velcro strap. Wear them on my insulated boots...arctic muck boots. I am in and out so much I would be taking them off and putting them on 100 times a day. I do encounter ice when least expected so can really never tell when they will be needed for sure..you wouldn't believe some of the places I have to go for my job. They may have lost some of their grip since I walk on hard surfaces also, the girl in the south county said she slips with her on also (but much better than without the yak traks) and she doesn't wear hers all the time.
The guy that works with me got the spiked kind of traction for shoes and he said they don't slip on anything, BUT after a couple day the studs wore away. Around the farm I imagine the Yak Traks and the studs would hold up much better...we walk 8 - 10 mi a day sometimes
AND one of the main reasons I have no desire to hand walk the horses...Getting lazy in my old age
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 7:01 pm:
Hi fellow ice sufferers! I have done 2 things that have helped at least around the barn. We have tons of ice here too.
I took shovels full of bedding and spread it around, it gave great grip till the wind blew. /then we found a pile of county sand and salt mixture. I spread a pile in a road out to their tires full of hay.
it is amazing how they find the road to the barn. I am going to have a load of gravel delivered next week to dig out of, and make roads for the boys.
I keep them in when its really nasty too. ready for spring
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 9:53 pm:
Wimpy SF Bay Area Californian chiming in here...We have been watching our relatives in the Northwest get days of rain and now flooding, our relatives in the Northeast are getting socked again with a snow/ice storm while today we had temps in the high 60's, no wind and mild, sunny weather predicted for the next ten days.
We are going into our third year of DrOught and any moisture any of you could blow our way would be most appreciated. I am on water rationing in our county and our barn is having water trucked in because the water table levels are getting worrisomely low.
Wish this extreme weather could be more evenly distributed, but please know that reading your posts and your challenges with ice and ponies has my utmost sympathy and admiration for your dedication and innovation. Hats off to all of you!
Safe Regards,
Debra
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 10:16 pm:
Debra be careful what you wish for..I asked the snow fairy on another thread for just a couple ins. of snow (I was VERY specific) We got 9 in..
So maybe if you ask the rain fairy nicely for a couple inches of rain you may get it, or you may be inudated! The weather fairies have a strange sense of humor for sure
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 10:38 pm:
I hear ya Debra loud and clear.. we East of you Sacramento way are hurting for water.. I don't have a puddle on the property!~ Our pastures are normaly under water now... Our ponds have 0 water in them .. my arena as of today is dusty!! We truck in water too.. what a pain..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
adriaa
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 11, 2009 - 6:24 pm:
Ice.
Right now it's ok since it has been snowing a lot, now I'm just moving a lot of snow around. But a few weeks ago it was wicked. One morning I fed them in the pasture since bringing them down to the barn was just too slippery. I had been spreading manure and shavings and then I went and got sand from the highway dept. (they don't use salt here) and went out and sanded the bottom part of the the pasture where they tramp it and mix it and it was an awful ice mess. I was thinking I was nuts sanding the pasture, but it got us through the rough time. They do seem to know the bad spots and generally (not always) use sense when traveling, except when Rosie decides to have one of her moments and I'm watching her and yelling "the gate, the fence, the ICE, slow down!!!!" as she slides to a stop quite handily.
THey are barefoot and I'm debating front shoes with borium, just for that extra traction.
Since this is my first winter with the girls home I'm feeling a bit like frontier woman, I am a single mom and it's just me, all the snow moving, the tank heater that keeps blowing the fuse, dig the hose out from under the 10 inches of snow and 3 of ice...
Happy winter, may spring come soon!
Adria
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 5:39 am:
Adria, Hank had borium one winter, he HAD to wear shoes because of his founder. It does work well, but came with their own set of problems. I was always worried about him sticking and pulling a tendon or something, when He went into one of his moments like your mare above. He got terrible shoe boils from lying down and the borium digging in his elbows.
As the years go by with your horses home you WILL figure out easier ways to do things!!! My first suggestion would be an auto waterer with heat, those tanks and frozen hoses DrOve me nuts!!!
Good Luck
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Member:
gwen
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 7:49 am:
Hi Adria,
I am facing the same thing, with no end in sight. It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. My two big boys have snow shoes on, and the pony does not. Thank goodness my thoroughbred has them on because he does the same shenanigans you were speaking of. I am not sure he would not have gone through the fence by now without them.
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Member:
adriaa
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 1:00 pm:
Last year Rosie had borium on the front and she was ok, but then I had her shod in the back with borium and that was bad. Couldn't deal with the traction and spent a good deal of time bucking, and charging about, like she just couldn't deal with plain old walking, so I pulled them. If there were something less grippy for all 4 I'd do it, but I'm not doing the borium in the rear.
You mean one of those Nelson waterers? I'd love that, I could probably do it since I already have the water line for the hydrant, I wouldn't have to do that again. I do have a system for the hose that works, but I can't slip up or the hose has to come inside and I have to swear a lot!. Since the hydrant is above the tank, I have a quick connect for the hose to the hydrant, I fill the tank, the disconnect the hose and then let it run down hill so there is no water to freeze, still have to dig the hose out from under the snow.
Things are getting easier, all about the system, if you don't keep on top of it all the time you're doomed. Spring cannot come too soon, but then there will be MUD where there was ice.
I still have so much to do like get a hydrant at the barn, build a shelter for the pasture. But I think I might invest in the auto waterer for the pasture, save a lot of work and frustration.
Thoroughbreds, gotta love them, never a dull moment. Actually just make that horses...
Gotta go plow...
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 4:00 pm:
Hi Diane,
Well, the weather fairies are just having a field day with all of us.. For all of you dealing with the ice and snow, I am sure global warming seems like a joke right now.
Ann, have the winds kicked in for you? Yesterday we had winds 30-45 mph with gusts recorded into the 60's thru the night..Our temps are creeping into the low 70's and with the winds everything is getting really dry... This is going down as the driest January recorded in years and to worry about fires is amazing!
My 15 yr old son is leaving Saturday with a group of other High School kids to attend the Inauguration celebrations in Washington DC and our weather is making it very difficult to impress on him what COLD weather is so that he packs gloves, hat, scarf and more than just a sweatshirt for warmth..
The ice sounds awful.. I hope all of your ponies stay safe and sound. When Ann and I finally get some measurable rain, mud will be a common denominator that we will all be dealing with. Horses and weather...Goodness Gracious!!
Smiles,
Debra
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 4:26 pm:
Those silly weather fairies decided we should have a blizzard tonight. I guess they want to cover the ice good for us....I told you they had a sense of humor!! If weather bug chirps one more Blizzard warning today I am going to shoot it.
I hope you guys get the needed rain, DrOughts are horrible to deal with too.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 4:45 pm:
Debra the winds JUST got here, right after my ride, the gusts came up.. Got all the horses excited..
We had two very close fires last summer I was on alert for the first one and had to evacuate my friends horses with her, the second fire was less then a mile away , we could see the flames .. we had halters on horses and trailers hooked up.. My husband went to see how fast it was moving and they would not let him back home , as the street had been closed off .. ugh.. I just don't want to have to go thru that again this year.. Sorry Diane I am wearing a short sleeve t shirt and came in to put on some shorts.. it is really lovely for this time of year.. all tho VERY dry..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 4:54 pm:
Debra!
Congratz to your son for attending. What a wonderful thing to do-- especially for a high school student
Leslie
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Member:
gwen
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 7:53 pm:
Ann, that is mean--shorts... We are getting colder temps than we have seen in four years this week. ick. I know I may get flamed for this but, I WANT TO SEE A FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - 8:02 pm:
Ann, SHORTS!!! I'm not talking to you any more!  When you emailed, you didn't say you were walking around in SHORTS! That's not fair!
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 12:06 am:
Isn't this bizarre??? Gwen is seeing colder temps than usual and we are experiencing much warmer and drier.
It was 72 at 9am this morning and when I went to the barn at 3:30 pm the temp was 77 degrees. In San Ana down by LA the mercury got to 90!!! Right now it is 8:30 pm and a pretty balmy 64 degrees. The wind has died down but for a few hours tonite it was pretty blowy.
I must confess I spent an hour gardening today in short sleeves and needed to keep a big gulp container of ice tea close by..This is NOT normal for the third week of January in the Bay Area.
Hang in there Gwen. My oldest son is living in Boston and just called to say they are having to find places to park the cars off the streets so the snowblowers can get by. (He's not interested in hearing we are in short sleeves either)
Meanwhile, I continue to save water from the house sinks and the showers in the bathrooms in big plastic buckets (that I scrounge from the barn) to water my plants and use for partially filling the washing machine when I do laundry.
Thank you for your good wishes Leslie.. Yes he is pretty excited. This was organized by a group called Closeup.org who regularly schedules trips to Washington DC for students to see their government in action. It just so happens that this year was an election year and we have been planning this since last April. It was pretty interesting to watch the campaign thru the summer/fall to see which candidate would be elected. My relatives are from Maryland/ Virginia and we took the kids to DC a couple of years ago, so this will be a re-visited city without Mom or Dad along to supervise.
Ann, I surely hope you don't have to experience fire evacuation for a long, long time.. It is scary and this weather just makes me uneasy..
Diane, my husband grew up in a little town of Foreston, Illinois about 35 miles southwest of Rockford. We have close relatives in Shannon, Lanark and Mt Morris. They have been sending us info on their cold weather challenges. One of them has a big hog farm and keeping 1200 hogs from freezing to death is a big project too. Please be safe if you have to go read meters.. I really have enjoyed your stories on other threads.
Debra
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 6:23 am:
Debra small world, the towns you named is where the girl from the "south" reads meters. She probably does your relatives.
ENOUGH about shorts and t-shirts!!! Our HIGH temp is suppose to be MINUS 3 with windchills of -40 OH and no to forget the 6 in more of snow tomorrow!
AS always there is a bright side to these temps. This weekend is our 3rd deer hunting season and even hubby won't go out in that to hunt (can you imagine sitting in a tree with weather like that)
So don't have to worry about deer heads hanging around here anyway
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 7:05 am:
Ann, Shorts?!?! I could slap you for that!
I am sooo happy to see the temp is still above zero this morning. We got snow over night, but the winds haven't kicked in yet. Weather man is still saying minus 30 or lower for later this week with windchill factor!
I haven't seen temps this low for years either, we've been spoilt the last couple of mild winters.
Flies? Well, let's not go that far, lol!
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 12:51 pm:
Snow ,ice, wind more snow, ice, wind and then floods! Moved several horses and burros from friends place as the minor flooding predicted turned into major flooding. Yes right after the hay was delivered!!! You all have not lived until you move two 18 hand Shire guys several other horses and two wild burros. Talk about push me pull me critters! So many people lost their hays supply in the flood it came very fast and went into places it was not suppose to go. May you all have a slooow thaw when the time comes! I live on a hill for reason and Mother Nature just reminded be why!
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 7:32 am:
Such extreme weather AND HORSES - I don't know how you lot cope with it, but I admire you for it!
Hope things improve soon and stay safe!
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