working horses on different surfaces a good thing?

[ester]

Having read a few posts recently and having a couple of friends have recent lameness problems with their horses it seems to me that the horses I know that tend to get problems are those that are worked on nice arena surfaces or good ground only and mostly stick to flat work from a young age. Do you think this is making them more susceptible?

We have no arena and actually the only surface I won't work ours on is deep arena sand, hence I don't use the most local school. But this means that they school on grass whatever the surface within reason and even if wet they go round the outside of the field. They do a lot of road work, we don't go as fast if the ground is hard but I still expect them to be able to canter and jump off it. One horse is an anglo (nearly!) and has fine legs and after 5 years we have never had an issue. The other is welsh so much more chunky and although he pulled a muscle trying to have a race I didn't give him permission for earlier in the year he is also fine.(*touches wood firmly with both hands*)

I just wondered really as I don't pander to the ground/surface much (partly because welshie needs to stay fit to stay trim) this makes them more able to cope? (though they are also always fit enough for the competing they do which is not always the case locally) I don't want to make sweeping generalisations as I know issues can happen with any but was just thinking whether there was something in it or am I seeing a biased cross section

Thoughts please!

 

[canteron]

Actually, I agree with you 100% - as with all things though moderation is the key and I wouldn't do too much fast roadwork, as have had a horse with a tendon injury that the previous owner just used to hammer away on the roads with to 'get it hunting fit'.

But I really agree and have just topped a field so can use it as an alternative to the menage for just that reason! I also think hacking out helps.

 

[megwan1]

i agree too, me and friend have discussed this sort thing a few times but more by saying the horses that just do one discipline so those that just do sj-ing have other problems compared to those which do a bit of everything. i think that the ones that are kept moving and reasonably fit for what they are being asked to do last the best!
however i dont tend to school on grass tho as we do have a school (woodchip) and no where to use as a grass school also i dont like schooling unless i'm having a lesson lol