CCE Recovery Services

01/29/2026

❄️ ICE BALLS BREAK LEGS

The Winter “High Heel” Danger

Hy 5 Equine Bodyworks
For the Love of the Horse

We worry about horses freezing.
We should worry about them tripping.

In slushy snow, horses can form ice balls in under 15 minutes.
These are not soft snowballs. They are rock-hard ice, lifting the hoof several inches off the ground and turning your horse into a walking balance test.

⸻

🌡️ WHY ICE BALLS FORM

• The hoof is warm from blood flow
• The metal shoe is freezing
• Snow melts → then flash-freezes
• The shoe traps ice like a cup

Layer by layer, a solid ice “rock” forms under the hoof.

⸻

👠 THE “HIGH HEEL” EFFECT

Your 1,200-lb horse is suddenly walking on ice stilts.

⚠️ Increased strain on the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
⚠️ Side-to-side fetlock wobble
⚠️ Stress on collateral ligaments
⚠️ Higher risk of soft-tissue injury & lameness

⸻

💥 THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE?

The barn aisle.

Ice + metal shoes + concrete = zero traction
When they slip, the elevated hoof increases torque, making fractures and pelvic injuries far more likely.

⸻

✅ HY 5 WINTER HOOF SAFETY FIX

✔️ Pick hooves immediately before stepping onto concrete
✔️ Snow popper / bubble pads for shod horses
✔️ Crisco or petroleum jelly on the sole as a short-term hack (15–30 min)

⸻

📌 QUICK HY 5 FAQ

Barefoot horses?
🦶 Safer in snow. The hoof expands and pops ice out naturally.

Cooking spray?
🍳 Works temporarily. Great for quick turnout or moving horses.

Why not stall them during storms?
⚠️ Increased colic risk. Horses need movement. Prep the hooves, don’t stop turnout.

⸻

🩷 HY 5 TAKEAWAY

Ice balls aren’t just annoying.
They are a real mechanical injury risk.

Winter care isn’t only blankets.
It’s biomechanics, footing, and prevention.

*for the love of the horse*

01/05/2026

❄️ Winter Water Safety: Stock Tanks & Heaters ❄️

If you use stock tank heaters in the winter, making sure your tanks are safe and properly grounded is essential. One of the most common—and often overlooked—issues is stray voltage.

Stray voltage occurs when electricity leaks into the water from a heater or outlet that isn’t grounded correctly. Because tank heaters run on a thermostat, they cycle on and off, meaning stray voltage is usually only present when the heater is actively running. This can explain why animals will drink confidently at times but hesitate, flinch, or avoid the tank at others—the water feels unpredictable to them.

Livestock are far more sensitive to electrical current than humans and are naturally grounded through their hooves. Even a small electrical current can be uncomfortable or painful, leading animals to reduce water intake. This is a serious concern in winter, when dehydration can contribute to colic, impaction, reduced feed intake, and overall health decline.

The safest way to detect stray voltage is by using a voltmeter or having an electrician test the tank and outlet. Humans often don’t feel stray voltage because insulated footwear prevents grounding—but animals don’t have that protection.

To prevent stray voltage:
* Use GFCI-protected outlets
* Install a grounding rod near the tank
* Attach a grounding wire from the rod to the tank or heater grounding point
* Inspect heaters and cords regularly for damage

Just as important as electrical safety is ensuring animals have constant access to unfrozen water. Snow and ice are not adequate substitutes. In cold weather, animals actually need more water, not less, to support digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation.

Safe, unfrozen, shock-free water isn’t just a convenience—it’s a cornerstone of winter animal care.

09/18/2025

We do not talk about it enough, but loss is something all horse owners eventually face. Learning about end-of-life options, such as horse mortality composting, can ease decision-making during an emotional time.

For those considering composting, understanding the process in advance allows for thoughtful, prepared choices when they matter most.

Learn more about composting at: https://extension.umn.edu/preparing-livestock-emergencies/horse-carcass-compost-pile

07/01/2024

Deadly bugs if they get in your alfalfa!! Check your alfalfa hay thoroughly

The ash grey blister beetle, a member of the family Meloidae, has recently been discovered on a local ranch in Elbert, Colorado. This discovery raises significant concerns due to the toxic chemical cantharidin produced by blister beetles, which poses a severe threat to livestock, especially horses.

01/17/2024

New Hope Against a Highly Infectious, Life-Threatening Condition 🙌

Canine parvovirus is highly infectious and life-threatening and, until recently, could only be treated with supportive care. In May 2023, Elanco Animal Health announced that the USDA had granted them a conditional license for the first monoclonal antibody therapy to treat canine parvovirus, which has shown promising results. 💛

Find out more about this parvovirus treatment when you read today’s free article: https://bit.ly/41TLEWm

01/17/2024

01/12/2024

Yep, it is cold out there and the temperatures will continue to drop. Animal control officers around the state are going to have a busy weekend checking on pets left out in the cold!

Even though your breed of dog may love the cold, we are talking about northern dog breeds, shelter is still required by most cities and counties around the State of Colorado. Check your local laws, don't be the one that animal control pays a visit to this weekend!

01/12/2024

Subzero cold weather is coming to Colorado with overnight lows dropping below zero. https://www.9news.com/article/weather/weather-colorado/pet-safety-cold-weather/73-df7e1b8b-d099-4e4a-b7a4-67607b062ae5

01/03/2024