A dynamic model of a horse hoof at first contact

Optimising race track construction to minimise injuries in athletic horses is one of the primary aims of the horse racing industry. The purpose of this study was to model the dynamic response of anatomical hoof structures on a treadmill and track surfaces utilising existing data from literature, from preliminary experiments and a validated mass-spring-dashpot model. The results indicated the horse hoof and track surface system can be reasonably modelled using a mass-spring-dashpot system. The output of the dynamic model illustrated the structures of the hoof experience lower accelerations on a softer surface than on a harder one. The dynamic model on a treadmill surface generated peak hoof wall accelerations of 4000 m s−2, whereas, on a track surface it generated peak hoof wall accelerations of 4400 m s−2. These results corresponded to data obtained in vivo.