Protecting Frozen Toes And Tender Tootsies

When winter's icy fingers reach across the landscape, it's time for us to make some adjustments in our horsecare routines. And it's not just a matter of chipping ice out of water buckets and dragging around all those increasingly aromatic blankets. Winter has an impact on hooves, as well.

In the colder months, most horses' hooves grow a little more slowly (although that depends on the horse's activity level; horses who stay in regular work generally stimulate more hoof growth than those who are idle).

Veterinarian and farrier Tia Nelson, DVM, whose practice is based in chilly Helena, Mont., said, "Hooves change profoundly according to temperature changes—probably more than we know. I think growth slows in winter because the horses are putting their energy into survival, though the change is not as drastic in stabled horses as in horses out on the range."

Slow growth, coupled with many people's reluctance to ride in chilling winds or icy footing, also means that hooves often don't get looked at, picked out, or trimmed as frequently as they would in more temperate conditions.

Neglect can have a number of unfortunate consequences for hoof health. An animal who stands all day in a cold, wet, muddy paddock could develop a severe case of thrush, a fungal infection that takes hold in the soft tissues of the frog and heels, and can, if not treated, cause significant deterioration and lameness. (Easily recognized by its gray or black exudate and distinctively foul odor, thrush is best treated by getting the horse out of wet or muddy conditions. Once he's back on dry land and clean bedding, ask your farrier to trim out the worst of the infection and apply an appropriate medication to help fight the remaining crud).

Horses with overgrown feet who have to negotiate rock-hard, frozen paddocks or trails may develop chips, cracks, or ragged edges, which can compromise the integrity of the hoof wall. And bruising can be a problem when snow cover is thin, as well.

Said Nelson, "Hard, frozen ground plus no snow equals bruised soles. And horses who paw through the snow for their livelihood can get very bruised toes if the snow cover is thin."

But winter can also have an upside when it comes to hoof care. Winter feet rarely suffer from dryness, and because horses generally aren't stamping their feet at flies in January, they're somewhat less likely to break off sections of the hoof wall or open up the white line (the section of the foot binding the outer hoof wall and the sole) to bacterial or fungal infection.

Furthermore, since many horses are worked less regularly in the winter months, owners can often save some money on shoeing, allowing their horses to go barefoot—or at least, minus their hind shoes. The time spent without metal on their feet can help nailholes grow out and restore integrity to the hoof walls.

Calgary, Alta., farrier Don MacKenzie knows a bit about winter. "The foot is very good at adapting to its environment," he said. "If there's snow, a horse's sole will tend to become a little more arched or concave in order to discourage snowballs building up, and he'll grow bigger bars for support."

Nelson has noticed changes in the architecture of the hoof in winter, as well. "In barefoot horses who've had minimal farrier intervention, the heels raise and become a little hooked, and the frog gets a little scaly—it's almost like sharkskin, and I think it stops the foot from sliding forward to some degree."