riding on hard ground

[debsflo]

with predictions of a hot summer and the ground rock hard all ready im assuming lots of events will run on hard ground.my daughter and new horse are hoping to do lots of pony club and local events most of which are on grass.i dont want to be over anxious but equally dont want to risk laming a horse.what do you do to protect your horses legs.

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

I avoid trotting as it is the worst for concussion.
If the new horse knows how to do it, walk to canter transitions are fab.

 

[ironhorse]

Ask around about which events are on good, well maintained ground. Rutty, slippy ground with little grass cover is much worse than that with a decent cover of grass and relatively level. Try to avoid jumping on hard ground, particularly if it is a small show ring, as they get very slippy and horses quickly lose confidence.
I showed a veteran for a friend a few years ago in a very hot summer - he had fairly dodgy legs, so I was always very anxious about going. He had his best day at Bicester and Finmere show, which was on the loveliest old turf, plenty of cover and nice and level.
He finished the season completely sound and well.

 

[mystiandsunny]

Studs help with the slipping.