Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Slippin and sliding update


So it is still very icy around here, and while the "winter trax " were helping I was still feeling pretty nervous walking in some area. Our cows are quite quiet, but while walking among them it is not a good time to wipe out!
Popped by to visit my dad today  during some down time and  also got  to visit with my Auntie Barb and cousin Laurie , they too have been having trouble with the ice . Auntie Barb quite enjoys walking , and while she had something similar to the winter trax  she said she still slips by times . Laurie had a different type , and says they have worked well, hers has sharp "cleats" on the ball of her foot . She ,also has  livestock to care for , and her property  has quite a steep hill. She  recommended "Campers Village" to  get some better traction , and better traction I got !!!!!


These puppies have some serious bite!!!! Similar to the wintertrax in that they are on a rubber  harness, but  they are chains with  several 3/8 inch spikes  throughout . They also fit better over the toe of the boot and so far don't seem to be able to pop off.
Wore them for chores tonight and I could walk every where! sure footed as a mountain goat! Well not really , I am still a klutz but , I wasn't slipping!
The only downsides are, they are a bit spendy, ($60.00 a pair , but honestly , what  would it cost me to hire someone for shores if I got hurt?) they are very noisy ! I sound like a herd of  horses walking around , but for  chores I am not actually shooting for stealth and I have to take my boots off outside ,as they don't work very well on ceramic tile! (there they slip!) But all in all I felt very safe and happy with them . Hoping Cousin Laurie see this post , in case she too wants to be a mini mountain goat !

Take care all, stay safe , stay warm!

8 comments:

IanH said...

I like the look of those dudes. Next time into the city, I will have to look for them. Note to self: No walking on the hardwood floors! :-}

Linda said...

Those look great. I've got Yaktracks and the Bossman has some we made out of calving chain. We're bared off here and don't need them right now though.

Ami said...

Holy cow, those look lethal!
So glad you found something to help you keep standing upright and being safe out there!!

It's cold here, and the wind is just cutting right through everything. But it's NOTHING compared to your area... and I think of you when I'm freezing and feel sorry you're out there freezing even more!

GoLightly said...

Glad you found something to keep you safer. You must sound like the ghosts of Christmas, rattling/jingling your way through the day.

I want a pair!

Jeni said...

Woah!! Effective I'm sure. So glad you found something to help with safty while do chores.

Stay warm!

Cut-N-Jump said...

What was it you were saying about strapping barbed wire to your boots??? $60 is much easier to account for in place of a hospital visit, physical therapy and someone to do the chores while you are out of commission...

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I looked at those a couple years ago after my knee surgery. I keep meaning to buy a pair, but then the snow and ice melts and I promptly forget. This winter that's not happening, and even after 36 days we still have hard packed snow and ice...and boot sucking mud on the ground....do they help with walking in mud, too?

I'm glad they're working well for you and keeping you safe.

~Lisa

Crystal said...

Glad you found something that works, even if little pricey, thats nothing compared to safety!