20/07/2026
Let’s have a serious talk about hard ground and how it affects your horse 🤔
Cantering and jumping on very hard ground causes severe concussion, putting extreme stress on a horse’s bones, joints, and tendons. It significantly elevates the risk of arthritis, bruised soles, tendon damage, and fractures. Vets and equine experts strongly advise against doing any repetitive high-impact work on concrete-like surfaces.
Why is hard ground dangerous for our horses? The primary issue with hard ground is the lack of shock absorption. When a horse lands from a jump or strikes the ground at a canter, the impact sends a shockwave directly up the leg, which can lead to arthritis and joint inflammation, strain on the tendons and ligaments (not just legs), muscle strain which can lead to back, shoulder and hamstring issues as well as bone fatigue.
We have had barely any significant rain fall since the beginning to May and nothing in the last 5 weeks! Yes it’s frustrating when we can’t enjoy a usual summer hack but I think this might be the start of the norm!
But did you know that just like humans power walking is a great way to keep your horse fit as well as giving their muscles a good work out! Ask your horse to really walk out to the point they feel like they could break into trot as well as adding in some lateral work for suppleness.
It’s really not worth that canter right now! Yes they canter in the field but they don’t have us on top putting them off balance! Trust me I scream at my horses if they start cantering around, my neighbours must know all the names of my horses off by heart 😂😂
Please like and share this post, by sharing we might educate somebody that doesn’t realise the impact the ground is having on their horse.
