Hard ground and riding

[GinaGeo]

We box up to access to excellent woodland which is usable all year round. There are plenty of sandy tracks that don't get muddy at all in winter, but remain sandy and soft in summer. We’re lucky that there are hard tracks there too, so they get a real variety.

Of the schools I use at least one has unusable for months. The one I use more regularly is just starting to go.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We have had a lot more people coming to use the gallops than usual as it's somewhere they can work quicker. Most if these are people who are utterly fed up with walking and want to go for a blast, not people fittening up/keeping fit for eventing.

 

[Fieldlife]

I'm wondering if mine is feeling the ground more than normal. He has some pretty bad arthritis and struggled in shoes so would not be surprised if he is struggling with this ground now. I've not experienced this level of dry before. The past few weeks he's started to get stuffy but notice a huge difference as soon as he gets onto ground that has mostly been shaded. I am going to get him the squishy hoof boot pads and see if that helps him

Are your boots 130? Can’t remember but I’ve got pads for 130 flex if want to test? I’m hacking in flex with Kevlar pads at moment as think extra cushioning helpful.

I’ve always found arthritic horses worsen when fields either v hard or v wet.

 

[lynz88]

Ha ha they are 130! I actually bought some tonight already to try - I figure it's only £10 for the soft ones (I think it's the yellow flex ones). Super soft and super hard ground makes a world of difference to the arthritics I'm noticing. Will find out shortly if this is the answer as he was going ssssooooo well

 

[Fieldlife]

Ha ha they are 130! I actually bought some tonight already to try - I figure it's only £10 for the soft ones (I think it's the yellow flex ones). Super soft and super hard ground makes a world of difference to the arthritics I'm noticing. Will find out shortly if this is the answer as he was going ssssooooo well

Think the issue with the super soft yellow pads is within 3-4 rides they crush to thin biscuits. Though i read that rinsing in water after use helps fluff them back up.

 

[lynz88]

Ahh that's good to know. I know he didn't like the Kevlar ones - he was a bit better than no boots at all but not as good as just the boot alone. It's a little like finding the right orthotics ?