Dynamic properties of a dirt and a synthetic equine racetrack surface measured by a track‐testing device

Abstract

For both surfaces it is clearly important to prevent horse exposure to precompacted surfaces, particularly during high-speed training when the surface has already been trampled. These data should be useful in coordinating racetrack surface management with racehorse training to prevent injuries.

Modeling equine race surface vertical mechanical behaviors in a musculoskeletal modeling environment

“…Race surface mechanical behaviors used to develop a modified spring floor function consisted of force and displacement data previously collected and published by our research group (Setterbo et al, 2013). Force and displacement data were recorded (2000 Hz) during vertical impacts of a Track-Testing Device (TTD, Fig.…”

“…The optimal race surface mechanical behavior should be specified at the track surface, rather than by specifying track material, since the environments of each track will cause the materials to behave differently. Material selection (Setterbo et al, 2013), along with temperature (Peterson et al, 2010), moisture content, and maintenance procedures (Peterson and Mcilwraith, 2008), influence apparent mechanical behavior of the whole surface medium experienced by the horse. Therefore, identical race surface composition and materials installed in two different environments may exhibit different behaviors.…”

Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces

“…For instance, 35 the surface response when executing a canter pirouette in a dressage competition may be 36 quite different to a quick turn during the jump off of a show jumping competition. As the 37 load on the surface increases the typical riding surface increases in stiffness (Reiser et al, 38 2000) and, in general, the surface will also become stiffer as the load is applied at a higher 39 rate (Setterbo et al, 2012). Since shear resistance of a surface is directly related to the 40 surface stiffness, the grip characteristics are also expected to change with load and loading 41 rate.…”

“…In particular, significant variation was cadaver limbs attached to a drag apparatus instrumented with load cells (Clanton,Kobluk,135 Robinson, Gordon, 1991) and more recently a track testing device that measured linear shear 136 resistance and a shear vane tester that measured shear stress and surface cohesion (Setterbo et 137 al., 2012). The latter of these designs (Setterbo et al, 2012) has been used to make 138 measurements on dirt and synthetic racetracks, but both designs were reported to have 139 limitations in relation to replicating equine locomotion. Shear resistance on turf racetracks is 140 normally measured using a GoingStick (Caple, James, Bartlett, 2012), where a flat blade is 141 pushed into the surface and then rotated about its base to an angle of 45° to measure the force 142 needed to push and turn the blade .…”

Effect of superficial harrowing on surface properties of sand with rubber and waxed-sand with fibre riding arena surfaces: a preliminary study

“…The properties of surfaces used by horses have been assessed using accelerometers attached to the hoof wall and/or fetlock (Barrey et al, 1991;Chateau et al, 2009;Kruse et al, 2012), dynamometric horseshoes (Kai et al, 1999;Robin et al, 2009;Setterbo et al, 2009;Crevier-Denoix et al, 2010) or impact devices (Cheney et al, 1973;Zebarth and Sheard, 1985;Drevemo and Hjertén, 1991;Ratzlaff et al, 1997;Peterson and McIlwraith, 2008a;Peterson et al, 2008b;Kruse et al, 2013;Setterbo et al, 2013). Standardised impact devices have the advantage that repeatable measurements can be obtained from the surface without the variability introduced by a live horse (Hernlund et al, 2013) and are the preferred technique for the comparison of properties between surfaces.…”