Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Hoof pick
- Good farrier
- Ability to order specialty equipment
Keep your horse from slipping on the ice
Step1
Riding during the winter can be beautiful and invigorating. In a time when most people hole up inside, some hardy equestrians want to go and explore the frozen and beautiful world. You can ride safely in the winter, but you will need to take some sensible precautions. Shoes that work on your horses feet any other time of year do NOT work in winter. So unless you plan on actively riding your horse in the winter, have his shoes pulled in the fall.
Step2
If you do plan on riding, make sure your farrier comes to visit after the first real winter weather. Once the snow is on the ground for good, your horse will need to have special calks put in his shoes - essentially these are studs that will allow his shoes to act like golf shoes, or ice-climbing shoes. They will give him traction.
Step3
If you only plan on the occasional winter ride, invest in some specialty items, like the Big Black Boot pictured, or another fitted boot for the hoof. These often come with traction and are excellent choices for the occasional winter ride in the snow and the ice.
Step4
Don't forget your horse needs his feet looked after even if you are not riding. To prevent him slipping and falling on the ice, coat the bottoms of his hooves with Vaseline to keep the ice and snow from packing in and accumulating into a slippery ball.
Step5
Finally, as a last resort, you may "score" the edge of the hooves to give the horse more natural traction, but this should NEVER be attempted by anyone but a farrier, as you could easily hurt the horse.
Courtesy of the Big Black Boot
For the serious winter rider - The Big Black Boot
Novice 
