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Research article2015Peer reviewedOpen access

Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces

Lewis, Kate; Northrop, Alison J.; Crook, Glen M.; Mather, John; Martin, Jaime H.; Holt, Danielle; Clayton, Hilary M.; Roepstorff, Lars; Peterson, Michael 'Mick' L.; Hobbs, Sarah J.

Abstract

The design of a novel apparatus, the Glen Withy torque tester (GWTT), for measuring horizontal shear properties in equine sport surfaces is described. Previous research has considered the effect of vertical loading on equine performance and injury but only limited discussion has concerned the grip or horizontal motion of the hoof. The horizontal support of the hoof by the surface must be sufficient to avoid excess slip without overloading the limb. The GWTT measures the torque necessary to twist an artificial hoof that is being pushed into the surface under a consistently applied vertical load. Its output was validated using a steel surface, then was used to test two sand and fibre surfaces (waxed and non-waxed) through rotations of 40-140 degrees, and vertical loads of 157-1138 N. An Orono biomechanical surface tester (OBST) measured longitudinal shear and vertical force, whilst a traction tester measured rotational shear after being dropped onto the surfaces. A weak, but significant, linear relationship was found between rotational shear measured using the GWTT and longitudinal shear quantified using the OBST. However, only the GWTT was able to detect significant differences in shear resistance between the surfaces. Future work should continue to investigate the strain rate and non-linear load response of surfaces used in equestrian sports. Measurements should be closely tied to horse biomechanics and should include information on the maintenance condition and surface composition. Both the GWTT and the OBST are necessary to adequately characterise all the important functional properties of equine sport surfaces. (C) 2015 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Torque; Shear; Arena surface; Slip; Grip; Footing

Published in

Biosystems Engineering
2015, Volume: 137, pages: 43-54
Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Other Agricultural Sciences not elsewhere specified

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.07.006

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/75517