Q for farrier et al re: snow pads and sand

Spice got snow pads today and my ride wasn't as nice as usual. She was not
"off", but wasn't as willing to "sit" (get her *** underneath her) and
carry herself as she has been lately. Both trot and canter work was
affected. It was subtle - if you didn't know her, you wouldn't notice
anything. But both from the saddle and the ground (trainer confirmed) she
was avoiding hard work off her hind end. Kelly even had the other trainer
get on to confirm (to rule out ME as the problem:) - concensus was
unanimous.

Kelly said she's had mixed experience with snow pads in a sand arena. She
said when in fiber arena, never had problems. But in a sand arena, it seems
that sand can get between pad and hoof and cause irritation. Her
recommendation was to give it a week and if she's not back to normal self,
pull the pads.

Farrier said Spice was unusually touchy in both hinds during shoeing today.
He said she might just be "hammer sore" - he said he'd pound a nail, she'd
jerk away, he'd wait then do the next nail. She was that way on BOTH hinds
today, and she's usually very good for farrier. He said she isn't usually
that touchy (he's been doing her feet for about a year now, every 5-6 weeks,
so he knows her well).

So... maybe her hind feet were sore to begin with? What might cause both
hinds to be a little sore (but not sore enough to be off?)

So, now I have something to worry about. Or should I just chill out and
relax? I want to emphasize that she wasn't off. Not short-strided, or ouchy.
Just not GREAT, like usual (lately). A person unfamiliar with her way of
going would NOT have noticed an issue.

Q: Any experience with snow pads, pro and con? She's in full turnout in
Minnesota, but riding in indoor sand arena 5x/week - full work. She didn't
have snow pads last year cause she was on stall rest during snow season. The
year before, she balled up a bit without snow pads, but I was at a different
barn with a less picky trainer and she wasn't in full work like she is now.
Advice?

THANKS

Robin



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