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Dynamic testing of horseshoe designs at impact on synthetic and dirt T horoughbred racetrack materials
Author(s) -
Mahaffey C. A.,
Peterson M. L.,
Thomason J. J.,
M C. W.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12360
Subject(s) - hoof , horseshoe (symbol) , heel , dirt , cushioning , structural engineering , composite material , materials science , geotechnical engineering , engineering , geology , mechanical engineering , computer science , paleontology , programming language
Summary Reasons for performing study Different horseshoe designs have been developed in an attempt to optimise footing for equine athletes. Horseshoe performance is assumed to be dependent on the surface and gait, but there are limited data on horseshoe performance on different surfaces, independent of gait variation. Objectives To quantify the dynamic loading for 3 aluminium racing shoe designs on T horoughbred racetrack surface materials, using a biomechanical surface tester. Study design A flat racing plate, a serrated V ‐Grip and a shoe with a 6 mm toe grab and 10 mm heel calks were tested on synthetic and dirt surfaces under typical operating conditions of temperature and moisture content for the respective material samples. Methods Samples were tested under laboratory conditions, replicating a track surface by compacting material into a latex‐lined mould surrounded by silica sand for representative boundary conditions. Peak loading and loading rates were measured vertically and horizontally (craniocaudal), simulating aspects of primary and secondary impacts of the hoof in a galloping horse. Results Maximum vertical and shear loads and loading rates were not significantly different between shoe types, with the exception of a reduced craniocaudal loading rate for the V ‐Grip shoe on the synthetic surface. All other statistical significance was related to the surface material. Conclusions These 3 different Thoroughbred racing shoes do not have a significant impact on loading and loading rate, with the exception of the V ‐Grip shoe on a synthetic surface. Although the V ‐Grip may reduce craniocaudal peak load rates in a synthetic material with relatively high wax and/or low oil content, the reduction in load rate is less than the difference found between materials. This study indicates that shoeing has little effect, and that a track's surface material and its preparation have a significant effect on the dynamic loading during the impact phase of the stance.