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Journal of equine veterinary science2020; 97; 103327; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103327

Jockey Perception of Shoe and Surface Effects on Hoof-Ground Interactions and Implications for Safety in the Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorse.

Abstract: Riding racehorses is a high-risk profession and optimizing safety alongside performance is paramount. Horseshoes play a critical role in providing traction with the ground surface and are therefore a major determinant of safety. However, the subjective perceptions of expert riders influence attitudes towards using different shoes and must be taken into consideration before any changes may be implemented. This study used a questionnaire-based method to evaluate jockey opinion of four shoeing conditions (aluminum, steel, GluShu, and barefoot) trialed at gallop over turf and artificial surfaces. Nine Lickert-style questions explored impact, cushioning, responsiveness, grip, uniformity, smoothness of ride, safety, adaptation period, and overall rating for each shoe-surface combination. A total of 94 questionnaires, based on 15 horse-rider pairs, were assessed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models performed in SPSS (P < .05). Data indicate that shoe type significantly affected all question responses, with the exception of impact. Surface-type significantly affected perception of grip and safety. Overall, jockeys showed a preference for aluminum and steel shoes across both artificial and turf tracks. These rated "excellent" and were considered to be "very supportive" in approximately 80% of trials, with a 100% "active" response, good grip, and a quick adaptation period. In contrast, barefoot and GluShu conditions were generally considered "moderately supportive," with barefoot appearing favorable on the artificial surface. On turf, barefoot was deemed the least smooth and the only condition that jockeys sometimes marked "unsafe" (17% of responses). Future work aims to investigate the relationship between jockey opinion and hoof kinematic data.
Publication Date: 2020-11-21 PubMed ID: 33478759DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103327Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research investigates horse riders’ views on the effect of different types of horse shoes and track surfaces on safety in thoroughbred racing. Data indicates that shoe type significantly affects riders’ perceptions except for impact, with most preferring steel and aluminum shoes. Surface type also noticeably influences the perception of grip and safety. Future studies intend to identify the correlation between riders’ viewpoints and hoof kinematic data.

Objective of the Research

  • The study aimed to understand the perception of jockeys (horse riders) towards the use of different types of horse shoes (aluminum, steel, GluShu, and barefoot conditions) and their interactions with different racing surfaces (turf and artificial).
  • The research sought to investigate the jockeys’ subjective view of safety, which is a critical aspect in horse racing, alongside performance.

Methodology of the Research

  • The study employed a survey-based approach where the jockeys were asked nine questions assessing impact, cushioning, responsiveness, grip, uniformity, smooth ride, safety, adjustment period, and overall rating for each combination of shoe and surface.
  • This data was collected through 94 completed questionnaires based on the experiences of 15 horse-rider pairs and was analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models.

Findings of the Research

  • The type of shoe significantly affected all the other question responses except for the perceived impact.
  • A significant majority of jockeys preferred aluminum and steel shoes on both artificial and turf tracks. These shoes were rated excellent and considered very supportive in roughly 80% of the trials. They also recorded a 100% active response, were perceived as having a good grip, and required a shorter adaptation period.
  • Surface-type significantly influenced the perception of grip and safety.
  • In contrast to aluminum and steel shoes, the barefoot and GluShu conditions were generally considered moderately supportive, with barefoot being the favored condition on the artificial surface.
  • On turf, barefoot condition was considered the least smooth and was the only condition marked as sometimes unsafe (17% of responses).

Future Scope of the Research

  • This research paves the way for future studies to explore the correlation between the jockeys’ perceptions and the hoof kinematic data, further contributing to the enhancement of safety and performance in horse racing.

Cite This Article

APA
Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Brinkley L, Carnall H, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Pfau T. (2020). Jockey Perception of Shoe and Surface Effects on Hoof-Ground Interactions and Implications for Safety in the Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorse. J Equine Vet Sci, 97, 103327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103327

Publication

ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 97
Pages: 103327
PII: S0737-0806(20)30418-4

Researcher Affiliations

Horan, Kate
  • The Royal Veterinary College, Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, UK. Electronic address: khoran@rvc.ac.uk.
Kourdache, Kieran
  • The British Racing School, Newmarket, UK.
Coburn, James
  • James Coburn AWCF Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Day, Peter
  • The Royal Veterinary College, Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, UK.
Brinkley, Liam
  • James Coburn AWCF Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Carnall, Henry
  • James Coburn AWCF Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Harborne, Dan
  • James Coburn AWCF Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Hammond, Lucy
  • The British Racing School, Newmarket, UK.
Millard, Sean
  • The Royal Veterinary College, Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, UK.
Pfau, Thilo
  • The Royal Veterinary College, Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horses
  • Perception
  • Shoes

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12172161pubmed: 36077882google scholar: lookup
  2. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257820pubmed: 34813584google scholar: lookup
  3. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11092588pubmed: 34573553google scholar: lookup
  4. Horan K, Pfau T. Effects of jockey position and surfaces on horse movement asymmetry and horse-jockey synchronisation during trotting exercise. PLoS One 2025;20(5):e0324753.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324753pubmed: 40455846google scholar: lookup
  5. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311899pubmed: 39392818google scholar: lookup