Snow Pads

[Scott G]

My farrier came across these and I tried them out last winter. At first glance I thought they would get torn up and questioned how well they might work.

Well after last season, and the first snows of this year, I am sold on these things. Its kinda hard to explain how they work other than the rubber “bead” flexes and the snow pops right out. I’ve never had any balling issues and the sole stays exposed to fresh air and doesn’t get nasty.

They do get a little torn with heavy use but it doesn’t seem to effect performance/function.

There are pics of different makes, hind & front, and hind & front tacked on.

The borium spots are standard for me; year round for traction and to increase the life of the shoes on rock.

Take a look and see what you think…

[Scott G]

…..as a side note, I’ve used full teflon pads in the past. Pine tar, packing, and still get thrush. It could/would get really nasty in there. That’s why I am so thrilled with these.

[Mark Cowdrey]

I have used a very similar “rim pad” the last 2 winters. Re-used the same ones & am contemplating using them again this year. They have held up well. As you say Scott, the flexing prevents the snow ball from building much at all and if it gets any size to it, it pops out. I use them on fronts only, don’t seem to have an issue with the hinds. Would hate to have to do without them.

Mark

[Rod44]

I have been using the full plactic pad with the “ball” indention on it and have been satisfied. However yours looks like it may be as good or better. I’m due for new ones this year, where did you get yours??

[Carl Russell]

On the other hand I have never used them, and only rarely in certain snow types do I have a problem. I usually have my horses shod with caulked shoes so this may make the difference for me. If the snowballs get big, I usually just rap the foot with the peavey, or felling hammer, or pick out the balls with my knife, or ignore them, they usually come out on their own.

Carl

[Scott G]

Carl,
Even when I run 3/4″ calks for ice I have balling issues without pads if the snow has any moisture in it. I get really tired of picking up feet and smacking the balls loose.

You must have “magical” snow in Vermont… 😉

[Gabe Ayers]

Where do you guys get the rims or bubble pads?

We are on some real rocky sites (rock garden) and it would seem the protection of the entire bottom of the foot is in order with out horses for for a while.

[aaronlee]

Hey Guys,

The pads work by keeping the snow from melting ie.. sticking on the metal shoe.

We have been putting these pads on a lot of pack horses out here destined for hunting camps.

Jason I’m sure you can get these pads at any farrier supply store. I just checked Meaders Supply and it turns out they are having a sale on them. They go anywhere from 6 to 10 bucks a pair.

The trick to them is trimming them to fit the heel and riveting them in place, again you do this back at the heel.

We just drill a hole in the heel and use a brass or copper slate tack with the head of the tack on the foot side of the shoe. You push it through the pad and the shoe, then cut off all but 1/4 inch or so and pein it in place.

If you didn’t have a tack but did have a forge you could punch a nail hole in the heel and use a nail. If you go this route drive the nail through in the regular fashion and then cut and fold it over. Make your fold toward the outside as this will help pull the pad against the shoe.

Hope this helps

Aaron

[Carl Russell]

Scott G;12395 wrote:

Carl,
Even when I run 3/4″ calks for ice I have balling issues without pads if the snow has any moisture in it. I get really tired of picking up feet and smacking the balls loose.

You must have “magical” snow in Vermont… 😉

Nothing magical. The only time I have problems is on snow on thawed dirt, early in the season, or late, but usually working in snow on frozen ground I have very little problem.

These look like an easy solution, and I know they work, just worked for 23 years and have never felt that I needed them enough to go get them.

Carl

[J-L]

Those look like a good idea. I’ve been barefooting it because of the snowball issue. Both with teams and saddle horses. Get snowballs on a saddle horse and try to cut cows on a frozen feedground and you’ll have some serious pucker factor.
I might have to try these on the front end of my feed teams. I had same problems with pads as far as keeping the thrush out. My solution was to melt the hooflex and pour some in every now and then.

[Scyther]

That’s an interesting looking thing. It seems to work for you. I use to use melted lard, painted heavy on the bottoms of the hooves to keep the snow from sticking during winter work. I would keep a soup size can with lard in it in the house and put it on the wood stove to melt down when I’d get up. After chores and breakfast it would be ready to paint on. It wasn’t full proof, but it did help keep their feet clear for a few hours in wet snow.

[Scott G]

Rod & all,

Here you go…

http://www.castleplastics.com/snoballpads.htm

[OldKat]

@briefelar 13001 wrote:

Wouldnt it be nice if we got a bit of “real” winter weather so that the children could experience it first hand I dont think were going to get any snow and ice this year are we?

Wouldn’t that kind of depend on whereabouts you live?

[LostFarmer]

There are a couple of guys that use these on their calving horses. It works well in a place that a slip can mean a broken bone. I have not tried them but next time I sharp up I will. We typically don’t have the ice to be a problem. LF

[slanabhaileequine]

Pam or any other cooking spray sprayed on the shoe or sole of the hoof works wonders. just saying

[Author]

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