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Effect of temperature on race times on a synthetic surface.
Abstract: Differences in racing times have been noted on synthetic track surfaces that appear to depend on the temperature of the track. No published study to date has considered this effect in a systematic manner. Objective: To investigate the relationship between temperature of track and speed of horses racing on a synthetic surface. Potential changes in the wax component of the synthetic track were investigated as one possible cause of changes in the track speed at the temperatures observed. Methods: At Del Mar racetrack (California, USA), the air, surface and subsurface temperatures at 4 depths in the synthetic race surface were measured periodically throughout the day over a 42 day period. The 6 furlong (1.2 km) race (afternoon) and fast training 'work' (morning) times were also compiled. Samples of the track were obtained and the wax separated using a solvent separation technique. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the range of temperatures at which the wax from the track underwent softening and other material changes. Transformation temperatures were compared to temperatures acquired from the track to evaluate the likelihood of changes in the wax properties during racing. Results: Average air, surface and subsurface temperatures changed significantly throughout the day. Temperatures were higher during the afternoon race sessions and race times were significantly slower compared to morning work times. Temperatures at which some of the components of the wax began to soften were found to be within the range of temperature measured during track operation. Conclusions: A correlation was found between temperature of the synthetic track and speed of horse. Wax separated from the track showed that the temperatures experienced in the surface during normal operation exceed the temperatures at which the wax begins to experience thermal transformation. It is therefore hypothesised that the wax may be a cause of the observed changes in the track performance. Conclusions: Future work should include a study of components of the synthetic track responsible for the change and epidemiological association of risk of injury.
Publication Date: 2010-06-09 PubMed ID: 20525055DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00072.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the relationship between the temperature of a synthetic racing surface and the speed of horses on the track. It suggests that changes in the wax component of the synthetic track due to shifts in temperature may be a significant factor causing variation in race times.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The purpose of this research was to determine if there was a correlation between the temperature of a track and the speed of horses racing on a synthetic surface.
- The researchers also wanted to assess whether changes in the wax component of the synthetic track due to temperature variations could be the cause of changes in the track speed.
- The study took place at Del Mar racetrack in California, USA, where the air, surface, and subsurface temperatures at four depths in the track were measured throughout the day over a 42-day period.
- Additionally, data collection involved compiling race times from afternoon races and morning training sessions.
- Samples of the track were obtained, and the wax component was separated using a solvent separation technique for further analysis.
- A technique known as differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the range of temperatures at which the wax undergoes softening and other material changes. These temperatures were then compared to temperatures recorded from the racing track during operation.
Results and Conclusion
- The research found that air, surface, and subsurface temperatures varied significantly throughout the day. Afternoon races, which took place under higher temperatures, showed significantly slower race times as compared to morning training times.
- Temperatures at which some components of the wax began to soften were found to be within the range of temperatures measured during track operation. This gave a preliminary indication that changes in the wax properties due to temperature variations might affect track performance.
- This led to the conclusion that there might be a correlation between temperature of the synthetic track and speed of horses, with the working hypothesis that the wax component of the track might be a primary cause of the changes observed in the track’s performance.
Future Research Implications
- The study concluded that future research should look at other components of the synthetic track that might be responsible for these changes.
- It should also evaluate the potential association between change in the track’s condition due to temperature and the risk of injury to the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Peterson ML, Reiser RF, Kuo PH, Radford DW, McIlwraith CW.
(2010).
Effect of temperature on race times on a synthetic surface.
Equine Vet J, 42(4), 351-357.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00072.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Running / physiology
- Sports
- Temperature
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
- 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.
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
- Blanco MA, Hourquebie R, Dempsey K, Schmitt P, Peterson MM. An Experimental Comparison of Simple Measurements Used for the Characterization of Sand Equestrian Surfaces. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 5;11(10).
- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Carnall H, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Influence of Speed, Ground Surface and Shoeing Condition on Hoof Breakover Duration in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 3;11(9).
- Setterbo JJ, Chau A, Fyhrie PB, Hubbard M, Upadhyaya SK, Symons JE, Stover SM. Validation of a laboratory method for evaluating dynamic properties of reconstructed equine racetrack surfaces. PLoS One 2012;7(12):e50534.
- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Weller R, Pfau T. Hoof slip duration at impact in galloping Thoroughbred ex-racehorses trialling eight shoe-surface combinations. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311899.
- 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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