The effect of lateral heel studs on the kinematics of the equine digit while cantering on grass.

The research investigated the use of lateral heel studs on horses and found that they significantly reduced a horse’s foot slip while running on grass, implying a safer and more stable interaction between the horse’s foot and the ground.

Research Objectives and Hypothesis

• The study was designed to understand the effect of lateral heel studs on a horse’s traction, specifically how they influence the interaction between the horse’s foot and the ground surface.
• The basic hypothesis going into the research was that the use of such studs would lead to a decrease in the foot slipping on grass during horse’s stance phase while cantering.

Methods and Procedures

• Nine horses were used for the study wherein all were ridden with and without a stud placed laterally on the shoe of all four feet, providing both sets of data for comparison.
• The research utilized high-speed video analysis to track hoof markers and quantify the slip distance, stance duration, and slip duration.

Findings

• The results showed a significant decrease in foot slip distance when studs were used, corroborating the initial hypothesis of the research.
• This beneficial effect was noted in all four limbs of the horse, indicating a generalized effect, however, the difference in slip distance was noted to be most significant in the trailing limbs.

Implications of the Findings

• These findings suggest that using studs enhances the traction and stability of horses running on grass surfaces, leading to safer mobility.
• However, an increase in traction also implies a possible increase in required energy dissipation, either within the horse’s limb or through surface deformation. This aspect should be a subject of further research.
• Furthermore, the potential correlation between the repetitive use of studs and the development of musculoskeletal conditions in horses is also recommended for further investigation, considering the altered dynamics and forces on the horse’s limbs.