... is one of Vanilla Ice's hits, but that's not what I wanted to talk about. We've had a storm or two coming through, and on the tail of the last one was some snow. As usual around here we first get some very wet snow, then it turns colder and we get some rather dry snow. Then overnight we get milder temps and a bit of rain, and then frost again at night. *sigh* This is the result. Ice: How to cope? The answer is studs. We've got studs in the car tyres: We've got pull-on studs for our boots. These studs are the heavy-duty ones. Most people use shorter studs: My horses also use studs, four on each foot: The black rubber tube lining the shoe is a snow sole. It prevents the forming of snow lumps under the hooves and permits us to ride in whatever weather winter gives us. If the ice and snow get really serous these chains (with studs) are put on the tractor wheels: But still, please have a sack of sand ready, in case somebody without studs should need a hand: I'd say we're coping fairly well with the ice.
Looks like you are ready! My hats' off to you as you all are a hardy folk. Bet your ponies are glad too.
You certainly seem to have everything in hand for the winter months Droopy. We've got minus temperatures here but, so far, only hard frosts. However,I've already lined the greenhouse with bubble wrap and have the snow shovel and de-icer handy in the boot of the car. We do have snow chains (but haven't used them yet) and the same type of pull on studs for shoes. I doubt if they're as heavy duty as yours are though but they do help. I'm impressed with the horses footwear and wish more people here would think of them when the bad weather hits. Keep warm and I hope the rest of winter isn't too severe for you.
Ice events around here are so rare and the ice rarely stays around for more than 24 hours so we just hunker down in the house and wait it out. Some people do get out and drive themselves into a ditch or the back end of another vehicle but those are usually the 'newcomers' who say as they get into the car "oh, heck, we drive on this all the time up north" I can't believe you know a Vanilla Ice song well enough to reference it in a conversation. My oldest daughter went to high school with him, she said he was pretty much of a nerd and that was before computers.
Thank you, cuatro-gatos. We don't regard ourselves as hardy folk at all. We just like living here and do whatever we can to cope. Yes, eileen, I've got the snow shovel and de-icer ready too. I thought horse shoes with studs were used all over the northern hemisphere. Our farrier offers two kinds. One type you screw the studs on yourself when you need to, and one type (which we use) where the studs are hammered in. I like the last kind since we often can re-use the shoes and only change the studs. Better for the environment, and for my wallet. We'll keep warm, and so far this winter's a lot milder than the last. May it last! We have to be, waretrop, or else we'll all be housebound and that won't do at all. Hey, toni, if you feel like wading in slush or slipping about on ice with water on top, just give me a hint and I'll fetch you over. :twisted: I guess that people moving down south never think to bring their studded tires. I know I would leave them behind. But I wouldn't go driving on the ice without them, and when the ice is very slippery I go very slowly too. I'm too old to go skidding around corners in my car. As for Vanilla Ice, I can't name any of his other hits but this one stuck for some reason. I hope your daughter got his autograph on a school photo or something. Maybe it's worth a fortune now.
No,no,no, I know better than to drive in slush. I am one of the hunkered down at home people. Many of the southern states do not allow snow tires with metal studs, but do allow rubber studs..which is pretty much just a rubber tire. No, no autograph. They had some classes together but he dropped out before graduating. She was flabbergasted when she learned Robbie Van Winkle was Vanilla Ice.
Droopy most of our riding centres do use the studs. Others don't do lessons or hacks if the weather is too bad. There are folks however with horses that really should have them fitted. I've seen the poor animals slip before now and am always worried they'll go down and seriously injure themselves and their riders. Surely the cost of the studs far outstrips what vet fees would be if their horses were to fall. I've rarely seen the black rubber tubing fitted to the horses hooves though. Maybe it's because our winters aren't usually as severe as yours are.
What an interesting posting, Droopy. You've got studs on everything. heh heh heh. One must take precautions with ice...oh, that can be cruel stuff. I see that you have a varied music appreciation. Well cool, miss. chuckle
Well this was a new one for me. I've had studded snow tires & I've had snow chains. Never seen studded snow chains or studded horseshoes!
Your pictures look like our place in winter. Pricing new studded tires for jeep. And yak-traks. Last year I was wearing mine. Turned around -heard Oh No. Lady wearing (high Heels) sitting in puddle where ice melt had worked. Put kitty litter in Jeep also. We have electric ice melt on one roof.
We sometimes get ice too, but I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle with studded tires around here. The big push is for 'snow tires' which are thick, soft rubber that grips the snowy/icy roads. Our roads are well cleared ... every winter weather event has plows, sanders and salters out on the roads and it is good for driving on after that. Of course there is always those people who don't slow down according to the weather that cause accidents and end up in ditches. I've seen those strap on spikes for shoes and that is something I should probably invest in ... I am a little clumsy sometimes!
The studded horse shoes is what got me!! Amazing! Droopy, what do you use your horses for? What I mean is, do you ride as a hobby, or are the horses work animals?
