Effect of superficial harrowing on surface properties of sand with rubber and waxed-sand with fibre riding arena surfaces: a preliminary study.
Abstract: A recent epidemiological study identified various aspects of arena surfaces and arena surface maintenance that were related to risk of injury in horses and that arena maintenance is important in reducing injury risk. However, there has been little research into how properties of arena surfaces change with harrowing. This study aimed to compare the properties of different arena surface types pre- and post-harrowing. The Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester fitted with accelerometers and a single- and a three-axis load cell was used to test 11 arenas with two different surfaces types, sand with rubber (SR) and waxed-sand with fibre (WSF). Three drop tests were carried out at 10 standardised locations on each arena. Mixed models were created to assess the effect of surface type, pre- or post-harrowing, and drop number on the properties of the surface, including maximum horizontal deceleration, maximum vertical deceleration, maximum vertical load and maximum horizontal load. Post-harrowing, none of the parameters were altered significantly on SR. On WSF, maximum vertical deceleration and maximum vertical load significantly decreased post-harrowing. The differences in the effects of superficial harrowing on SR and WSF could be attributed to the different compositions and sizes of the surface material. The results suggest that different maintenance techniques may be more suitable for different surface types and that the effects of superficial harrowing are short-lived due to the rapid re-compaction of the surface with repeated drops on WSF. Further work is required to determine the effects of other maintenance techniques, and on other surface types.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-10-27 PubMed ID: 25510315DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.10.027Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study of how different horse riding arena surfaces, specifically sand with rubber and waxed-sand with fibre, change after a method called “superficial harrowing.” It found some differences between the two types of surfaces after this method was applied, suggesting that distinct maintenance techniques might be more suitable for each type.
Objective of the Study
- The main objective of the study was to compare the properties of two different arena surface types, sand with rubber (SR) and waxed-sand with fibre (WSF), both before and after a process called “superficial harrowing.”
- Superficial harrowing refers to a particular type of maintenance technique used to loosen the top layer and remove dead plant material from the arena surface.
- The study aimed to fill a research gap as the effect of such maintenance processes on various surfaces has not been adequately studied.
Methodology
- The researchers used the Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester equipped with accelerometers and a single- and a three-axis load cell to test 11 arenas.
- They carried out three drop tests at 10 standardized locations on each arena to assess the effect of harrowing.
- Through mixed models, they attempted to assess the effect of surface type, pre- or post-harrowing, and drop number on several properties of the surface, including maximum horizontal deceleration, maximum vertical deceleration, maximum vertical load, and maximum horizontal load.
Findings
- Superficial harrowing did not significantly alter any of the parameters on the sand with rubber (SR) surface.
- On the other hand, waxed-sand with fibre (WSF) surfaces saw a significant decrease in maximum vertical deceleration and maximum vertical load after harrowing.
- The study suggests that these differences in results between SR and WSF could be due to their varied compositions and sizes of the surface material.
- While superficial harrowing can temporarily change the properties of the WSF surfaces, these effects are short-lived. The study found that the surface rapidly re-compacts with repeated drops on WSF.
Conclusion
- According to this research, it seems that different surface types may require different maintenance techniques. The process of superficial harrowing may have varying impacts on different types of arena surfaces.
- The study also hints at a need for further research on other surface types and maintenance techniques.
Cite This Article
APA
Tranquille CA, Walker VA, Hernlund E, Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Peterson ML, Murray RC.
(2014).
Effect of superficial harrowing on surface properties of sand with rubber and waxed-sand with fibre riding arena surfaces: a preliminary study.
Vet J, 203(1), 59-64.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.10.027 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: carolyne.tranquille@aht.org.uk.
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, United Kingdom.
- Unit of Equine Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7046, Uppsala S-750 05, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, Uppsala S-750 07, Sweden.
- Unit of Equine Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7046, Uppsala S-750 05, Sweden.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, 5711 Boardman Hall, Orono, ME 04469, United States.
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, United Kingdom.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Floors and Floorcoverings
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / injuries
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Rubber
- Silicon Dioxide
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Peterson M, Lundholm M, Hernlund E. The Descriptions and Attitudes of Riders and Arena Owners to 656 Equestrian Sport Surfaces in Sweden. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:798910.
- Pechette Markley A, Kieves NR, Rivas LB, Shoben AB. Evaluation of surface type and time of day on agility course performance. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1415634.
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