Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces

Kate Lewis; Alison J. Northrop; Glen M. Crook; John Mather; Jaime H. Martin; Danielle Holt; Hilary M. Clayton; Lars Roepstorff; Michael L. Peterson; Sarah J. Hobbs

doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.07.006

Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces

Kate Lewis, Alison J. Northrop, Glen M. Crook, John Mather, Jaime H. Martin, Danielle Holt, Hilary M. Clayton, Lars Roepstorff, Michael L. Peterson, Sarah J. Hobbs

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The design of a novel apparatus, the Glen Withy torque tester (GWTT), for measuring horizontal shear properties in equine sport surfaces is described. Previous research has considered the effect of vertical loading on equine performance and injury but only limited discussion has concerned the grip or horizontal motion of the hoof. The horizontal support of the hoof by the surface must be sufficient to avoid excess slip without overloading the limb. The GWTT measures the torque necessary to twist an artificial hoof that is being pushed into the surface under a consistently applied vertical load. Its output was validated using a steel surface, then was used to test two sand and fibre surfaces (waxed and non-waxed) through rotations of 40-140°, and vertical loads of 157-1138N. An Orono biomechanical surface tester (OBST) measured longitudinal shear and vertical force, whilst a traction tester measured rotational shear after being dropped onto the surfaces. A weak, but significant, linear relationship was found between rotational shear measured using the GWTT and longitudinal shear quantified using the OBST. However, only the GWTT was able to detect significant differences in shear resistance between the surfaces. Future work should continue to investigate the strain rate and non-linear load response of surfaces used in equestrian sports. Measurements should be closely tied to horse biomechanics and should include information on the maintenance condition and surface composition. Both the GWTT and the OBST are necessary to adequately characterise all the important functional properties of equine sport surfaces.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	43-54
Number of pages	12
Journal	Biosystems Engineering
Volume	137
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.07.006
State	Published - Sep 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 IAgrE.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the University of Central Lancashire for funding a studentship and providing the engineering resources needed to undertake this project. The authors would like to thank Myerscough College for providing the test facilities used to carry out in situ testing.

Funders	Funder number
University of Central Lancashire

Keywords

Arena surface
Footing
Grip
Shear
Slip
Torque

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Food Science
Agronomy and Crop Science
Control and Systems Engineering
Soil Science

Access to Document

10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.07.006

Cite this

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title = "Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces",

abstract = "The design of a novel apparatus, the Glen Withy torque tester (GWTT), for measuring horizontal shear properties in equine sport surfaces is described. Previous research has considered the effect of vertical loading on equine performance and injury but only limited discussion has concerned the grip or horizontal motion of the hoof. The horizontal support of the hoof by the surface must be sufficient to avoid excess slip without overloading the limb. The GWTT measures the torque necessary to twist an artificial hoof that is being pushed into the surface under a consistently applied vertical load. Its output was validated using a steel surface, then was used to test two sand and fibre surfaces (waxed and non-waxed) through rotations of 40-140°, and vertical loads of 157-1138N. An Orono biomechanical surface tester (OBST) measured longitudinal shear and vertical force, whilst a traction tester measured rotational shear after being dropped onto the surfaces. A weak, but significant, linear relationship was found between rotational shear measured using the GWTT and longitudinal shear quantified using the OBST. However, only the GWTT was able to detect significant differences in shear resistance between the surfaces. Future work should continue to investigate the strain rate and non-linear load response of surfaces used in equestrian sports. Measurements should be closely tied to horse biomechanics and should include information on the maintenance condition and surface composition. Both the GWTT and the OBST are necessary to adequately characterise all the important functional properties of equine sport surfaces.",

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AU - Northrop, Alison J.

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AU - Mather, John

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AU - Holt, Danielle

AU - Clayton, Hilary M.

AU - Roepstorff, Lars

AU - Peterson, Michael L.

AU - Hobbs, Sarah J.

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Comparison of equipment used to measure shear properties in equine arena surfaces

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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