{"id":214,"date":"2020-09-10T18:17:30","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T18:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horseycounsel.com\/?p=214"},"modified":"2020-09-10T18:17:30","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T18:17:30","slug":"work-a-horse-on-hard-surfaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horseycounsel.com\/work-a-horse-on-hard-surfaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Work a Horse on Hard Surfaces (Concrete\/Tarmac)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I get this question a lot: should a horse be running on concrete, tarmac, or generally hard surfaces? Does the horse feel any pain while doing so, and will there be any long-term damage to working a horse on hard surfaces? After all, we see horses trotting around in cities all the time, whether they’re pulling carriages or doing police work.<\/p>\n
If the horse is walking at a slow pace, it should be fine even with a rider on its back. However, the hoof begins to suffer hairpin cracks and fine damage if the horse canters or gallops on very hard terrain. It all depends on the speed of the horse and the amount of time it spends walking on these hard surfaces, whether we’re talking about concrete, tarmac, stonedust, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of the main risks associated with working a horse on hard ground for extended periods include arthritis, navicular syndrome, and windpuffs. Aside from health risks, cities pose many dangers to horses, from rocks that can get lodged in the hoof to broken glass, stray dogs, nails.. you get the point.<\/p>\n In order for a horse to work in an ideal environment, it needs to be able to dig in the top of its hoof into the ground. This facilitates traction and prevents wear on the heel area. In reality, horses often end up walking on surfaces that are a bit harder or softer. The walking surface shouldn’t be too soft either. Sand, for instance, causes the horse to put in way more effort than usual. This results in extra stress on its legs.<\/p>\n I think it’s important to understand exactly what’s going on with the horse’s body and how it reacts to the concussive forces created while trotting or galloping on hard surfaces. When the hoof comes in contact with the ground, some concussive force is created. Normally, if the ground is moderately soft, it absorbs much of this force, and the horse feels little to no stress as a result.<\/p>\n When it comes to concrete or tarmac, the surface is too rigid to absorb concussive forces. Therefore, the shockwave travels upwards through the hoof and legs, which causes discomfort and potential injury. I should also note that temperature can also influence the quality of a horse’s working conditions, as very hot conditions can severely limit the hoof’s ability to expand and contract.<\/p>\n During movement, and as the hoof touches the ground, its capsule expands and the heel area opens. When the foot is lifted off the ground, the capsule contracts – this is the way a well-moistured hoof works. It absorbs concussion naturally.<\/p>\n Hoof moisture should ideally sit at around 24%, but hot working conditions can cause this level to fall as low as 14%. As the hoof dries up, it loses its mobility, as well as its ability to absorb shock. Shock is then transferred to other parts of the body, which can result in injury.<\/p>\n Horseshoes help out quite a bit, but even they’re not the most reliable. It’s not uncommon to see horseshoes failing if the horse is pushed a bit too hard, and that can result in instant damage of the hoof. Many horse owners rely on special pads with shock-absorption capabilities. These pads come in different shapes and sizes – some of them were designed for the heel of the hoof, and others for the frog area.<\/p>\n Finding it difficult to choose the right pad? Fortunately, you can (and should) talk with your farrier about what’s best for your horse. The farrier will make an informed decision based on the type of terrain and any pre-existing conditions your horse might have. In the end, you’ll probably end up using leather pads or plastic pads. Leather ones absorb moisture and were designed to provide extra foot support, while plastic ones will often fill in any gaps.<\/p>\n One thing you should always watch out for is pad dependence. If your horse uses pads for too long, it might not be able to run properly without them. That’s why it’s a good idea to use pads only from time to time and as the need arises. Take a break from using them every now and again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe biomechanics of running on hard ground.<\/h3>\n
How can we help our horses walk on hard surfaces?<\/h3>\n
Can horseshoes help with shock absorption?<\/h3>\n