Beware the hazards of hard ground

Unforgiving surfaces make horsesmore susceptible to hoof bruises and other concussive injuries.
Close up of a horse's legs, kicking up dust from the ground.
Unforgiving ground will “ring” loudly under each beat, particularly at faster gaits, rather than producing the more muffled “clop” you’ll hear from softer, safer footing.

A long summer dry spell may make you want to leave the riding ring and head for the trails, but keep in mind that drought conditions can make for dangerously hard ground. The lack of moisture in the soil, combined with a die-off in ground cover, can make the footing on trails and other natural terrain so unforgiving that horses become more susceptible to hoof bruises and other concussive injuries. In addition, conditions like arthritis can be aggravated.

Click here to learn about a quick and easy treatment for scratches.

If you know the ground is hard, stick to a walk on unimproved footing. If you’re unsure, listen to your horse’s footfalls: Unforgiving ground will “ring” loudly under each beat, particularly at faster gaits, rather than producing the more muffled “clop” you’ll hear from softer, safer footing. When rains return and ringing stops, you can pick up the pace again.

This article first appeared in EQUUS issue #466

Don’t miss out! With the free weekly EQUUS newsletter, you’ll get the latest horse health information delivered right to your in basket! If you’re not already receiving the EQUUS newsletter, click here to sign up. It’s *free*!

CATEGORIES
TAGS

Related Articles

mosquito-3860900_1920
Working donkeys with carts lined up in colorful streets of Marrakech, Morocco
A close up of a mosquito
mosquito close up photos
mosquito-3860900_1920
Working donkeys with carts lined up in colorful streets of Marrakech, Morocco
A close up of a mosquito
mosquito close up photos
Load More