University of Central Lancashire and Equestrian Surfaces Limited KTP 24_25 R1

A horse’s hoof hitting the ground at a gallop sends shockwaves up its leg that can cause career-ending or fatal injuries, and this project will measure exactly how different riding surfaces—from turf to synthetic wax tracks—absorb or amplify those forces. The problem is that equestrian sports lack precise, evidence-based standards for surface construction and maintenance. Trainers and venue managers currently rely on tradition or feel, not data, when choosing footing. This gap leads to predictable injury patterns: tendon strains, concussive bone damage, and soft-tissue trauma that shorten horses’ working lives and cause significant welfare problems. If the research succeeds, it will produce a practical measurement tool and design guidelines that allow riding surfaces to be engineered for optimal shock absorption and traction. The immediate impact is on horse welfare—fewer injuries, longer athletic careers, and better recovery for injured animals. But the work also affects the equestrian industry’s economics: fewer veterinary bills, reduced insurance claims, and more predictable competition schedules. For the general public, the change is invisible—better footing at a local riding school or a major event course—but it quietly reduces the suffering of animals in a sport millions watch and participate in.