Hard ground & Xc.

J

Jemayni

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Right I could do with an impartial opinion from all you wonderful people that know what your on about!

How much do you worry about running your horses on hard ground & does aerovation make much difference to the surface?

The reason Im asking, is my horse spent the entire of last year lame with concussion injuries. Caused partially because he dishes slightly (doesnt land with his foot flat) and partially because he has abnormally boxy pedal bones. These factors combined with horrifically hard ground last June made him very lame in both front legs in his feet, fetlocks & knees.

This year Im trying to avoid the same thing happening, he is shod better, so is moving straighter and his feet are now offering more support - this should help no-end. But Ive entered a HT next weekend and with no rain forecast Im wondering whether I should withdraw? (other problem is Ive entered Keysoe BE intro, so I need to get him doing XC as hes had a year without doing any!)

So this is why Im asking what effect does the ground have? & what would you do in my situation?
 
My horse really didn't like the hard ground last year, he didn't go lame or suffer injuries but when I jumped him on hard ground he was very sticky and cautious, he much prefers softer ground. He's also quite footy on stony or very rough ground, I was pretty worried about what to do with him this year as I have a lot planned. Anyway he went lame a few weeks ago and the vet diagnosed thin soles and suggested I get gel pads put on his feet so he got them on him last week and OMG the difference! Usually when we hack he always tried to avoid the stony or hard ground and walks on any grass verges but since the he got the pads on he walks more freely and isn't worrying about where to put his feet anymore. It'll be interesting to see if they help with him jumping on the hard ground in the summer but I'm feeling pretty positive that they'll work. Apparently they're like runners for horses and they reduce the amount of concussion on the soles and joints. I'm now also going to put a set on my pony who also does'nt like hard ground as he's had laminitis in the past and has slight rotation of the pedal bone in his front feet. They weren't too expensive either and the farrier said that one set of pads can be used 4 or 5 times. It might be worth looking into or asking you're farrier about.
 
MH - Thanks, its good to know Im not alone.

Calzy - Yea the vet suggested them at the time, I did mention it to the farrier, but he said it wouldnt make a lot of difference - however as lovely as he is, he is seriously old-fashined. I might have a word with the YO & then talk to him again, now Ive heard that report!
 
There's an article about the gel pads in this weeks or last H&H isn't there? I think it's something I'll be considering for my boy this summer too......
 
and a leading foreign rider said to me at an event abroad last year said something to me i hadnt cosidered on the subject. if you pick courses that are more undulating you dont have such a constant pressure on the feet/legs as you do on a flat course because every uphill slope makes horse take more weight behind. obviuosly you dont then want really steep down hill bits to exacerbate the problem but keep eye out for places with gentle undualtions. Also have friend who uses the gel pad foot things and says they are fantastic.
 
I avoid hard ground like the plauge and have been known to withdraw if I arrive and it is bad. If you want your horse for the long term it should be avoided.
 
Agree Sarah Jane, don't do hard ground, and will be doing no XC mid summer when ground is hard. IMO at the mo, the ground is pretty hard, and event organisers should be working hard on the ground to keep it rideable on.
 
Im the same, will avoid hard ground as much as poss.
I have pads put on which does make a difference if your horse is a bit 'touchy' on his feet but obviously doesnt really lower the impact on the rest of the leg. My younger one had pads but my farrier then tried like a silicone gel - basically you squeeze the gel onto the sole of the foot over a piece of gauze, inside the shoe, and then let it set (takes a minute or so). Kept him sound through the summer anyway !
 
SJ: I think Im going to go walk the course on saturday, then if its hard go Sjin instead!

KB: I know the ground is crazy, but its only a little PC HT, so the majority arent going to give a stuff about the ground!

Poggio: Thanks, its nice to hear all these different options are available!
 
No I know, and unfortunately will probably hammer their ponies around
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Which PC is it?!
 
Are your pads the plastic ones that are hammered underneath the shoe and stay on for the life of the shoe? I've used those for hunting on Exmoor but find they make the sole a bit smelly. Also, farrier said they do nothing for concussion??

Looked up the website that someone on here suggested for using silicone stuff for the soles (http://www.vettec.net/default.aspx?id=1180)

Has anyone used this stuff and does the farrier have to put it on or can I?
 
If the ground is v hard I won't run XC. The BE agrivators do make a difference and the ground that has been treated is noticeably softer when walking the course.
I was at Goring at the weekend and they hadn't treated the XC (probably didn't think that they would need to) and the XC was a little hard in places but I just took it a little slower than normal.
I have to say that when the ground is hard I have more problems in the SJ as my mare doesn't like hard (& slippery even with studs) going in the SJ which doesn't tend to get treated.
 
Think carefully about Keysoe if there is no rain as the ground has a very high clay content and it gets unbelievably hard, even with aerovating, its also very flat! However, the SJ is on a surface so you could dressage and SJ and then make a decision about xc after walking it!??
 
ooo which course are the Meynell jumping over?? Are you going to the HT at Hall Close Farm at then end of the month?? The Meynell are running that one as well!

As for hard ground....I am considering pulling out of the HT I have entered this Sunday, though their ground hasn't been used all winter and its normally pretty good. Will walk it on Saturday and see what its like.
 
i read about these gel cushions in a magazine last week. sound good from the article.

Hard ground is such a drag - i dont understand people that whinge about wet ground through winter - id canter / XC over wet ground than over mid summer hard ground any day of the week!
 
I won't run on hard ground - hate it! Have driven 3hrs to an event - Syde Park actually, got out looked at it and got back in without even getting a horse off the lorry. You get to know where to go and not to go or which organisers try and which dont!

The pic of the hedge in my signature is the Meynell HT 2 years ago
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