Horse & Hound Article – Riding Surfaces
“Maximum Impact” was a recent two page article in the Veterinary Clinic section of the Horse and Hound, (a top UK weekly horse magazine with a very large readership), in January 2009.
The article was discussing the different surfaces horses are ridden on and the recent studies that are under way by organizations who have been researching the impact that the various surfaces have on horses limbs and how they may prevent or increase the likelihood of injuries.
Some of the Studies:
There are a number of studies quoted, including the work of Dr Rachel Murray head of the centre of equine studies at the Animal Health Trust, and Dr. Kristien Verheyen a lecturer in clinical epidemiology at the Royal veterinary College.
They are both and I quote, “looking at the effects of riding surfaces as part of the ongoing research into horse injury.”
Dr. Murray’s research is focused on dressage horses, while Dr. Verheyen is is undertaking a three year project into the risk factors associated with joint injuries in racehorses.
Then Dr. Verheyen and colleagues are also collating data to ascertain whether knee and fetlock injuries increase as a horse starts race training and high speed exercise. Part of this study focuses on whether the type of training surface has a part to play.
The article continues to talk about the surfaces and later on mentions that Dr. Verheyen believes that the best regime for any performance horse, whether a racehorse or an event horse, is to train on as many surfaces as it is likely to meet etc.
What is Missing Here
All very valuable research, but no where in the article is there any mention of the negative effect shoes have on horses limbs and the subsequent reduced circulation in the hoof and lower limb from the use of them and so the likelihood, of increased risk of injury and risk of breakdown, for the horse.
Relevant…?
Is this relevant you may ask? Surely, all we are talking about here, is, the types of surfaces that horses are being ridden on….?
Well, I would say, that knowing about barefoot horsecare is still very relevant as shoeing, the fixing of a piece of metal to living tissue when the hoof is contracted and thus preventing the natural hoof mechanism (the contraction and expansion that occurs in the hoof with every step it takes) is probably the most damaging thing we do to horses and so will very likely cause horse injuries, joint injuries and horses breaking down.
Ok, maybe even with this knowledge people/trainers/horse owners will choose to continue to shoe their horses, but my point is, if you are conducting these types of studies and being interviewed you will be seen as an expert.
So by not even, so much as mentioning the very serious problems that shoeing horses creates, begs one to question whether the people being interviewed are sufficiently qualified to comment on this subject….Strong words I know, but it is very relevant.
With this type of research work and the position of authority which comes with this work there also comes certain responsibilities. Studying and knowing about the disadvantages of shoes should I believe be at least included and written about so readers have the opportunity to access and learn for themselves whether they want to shoe or not shoe their horses.
Baffled….
What baffles me still is, I am not a vet, farrier, or horse trainer and yet my knowledge on shoeing and the hoof and the effects of shoeing horses hooves appears to be vastly superior in this particular area than many of these professionals, this surely cannot be right?
Below is a Picture of Me Trimming……
I’m sorry – I forgot to put on a new pair of gloves before our photographer came (my daughter, Olivia)….! I will now go to Presents for Men and buy a new pair, (size small) before we do any further photography…..
To find out more about the gloves we use you can go to Yard and Trimming Gloves
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Well done, Sarah! You raise an important issue and ask a courageous question. For many years, racing administrators searching for the cause of breakdowns in racehorses have supported enquiries into the possibility that something about the surface on which horses race holds the answer. Much time, effort and money has been invested in researching the management of the track surface and insufficient attention has been paid to the management of the horse. As you point out, regardless of whether horses are running on turf, dirt or synthetic footing, every racehorse is actually running on metal. Horses in racing and most other equine sports are obliged to have metal hoops nailed to their feet, yet there are sound physiological reasons why they should be freed of such encumbrances. Administrators of racing and other sports could do the horse a favour by encouraging barefoot performance. There are equally relevant reasons why horses should not be compelled to perform with meta!
l in their mouths. Whereas bits reduce the amount of oxygen that a horse can inhale in the first instance, shoes further reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the horse’s brain and musculature because of an impeded circulation of blood. A combination of increased shock impact and premature fatigue from shortage of oxygen is surely a potent cause of breakdowns.
Hi everyone
I just felt I had to say how wonderful you are.Your web site is truley inspirational and how much I do love all the info on it.
I have an ex racer with a severe bowed tendon, with shoes on he was never sound.
Now barefoot and bitless treeless etc (the list goes on) he has been given a second chance at a better life.
I feel like the needle in the haystack in this big old fashioned world of horses ,. So please keep up the good work you keep me believing in what i am doing when all others laugh.