Conditioning Horses on Different Surfaces
Nancy S. Loving, DVM
April 1, 2026
Varying the surfaces on which you exercise your horse can help produce a strong, well-rounded equine athlete.
Varying the surfaces on which you exercise your horse can help produce a strong, well-rounded equine athlete.
These practical strategies can help property owners manage runoff, reduce mud, and avoid common horse health issues in wet, flood-prone conditions.
Standardized, multilevel surface testing is helping racetracks improve consistency, fairness, and ultimately horse and rider safety.
These horsekeeping tips can help keep your farm running smoothly and horses healthy when winter weather arrives.
Know how your horse’s body reacts to cold weather and train accordingly to make the most of the chilly months ahead.
Prevent odors with smart manure, mud, and urine management, plus natural fixes such as composting, footing, and vegetative buffers.
How farriers trim and shoe horses for their unique biomechanics, discipline, and riding surface.
As the seasons change, so do the strategies we use to manage horses’ hooves. Read more in the Fall 2025 issue of The Horse.
Veterinarians and farriers emphasize individualized maintenance for preventing lameness and promoting long-term horse soundness.
Two veterinarians passionate about hoof care share tips for identifying and dealing with hoof stressors they encounter most frequently.
The footing under your horse’s feet affects his overall soundness. Find out what scientists know about footing and its connection to lameness and other health issues.
Learn how arena footing affects horse and rider safety, and what 5 factors to consider when choosing and maintaining footing.
Cold, inclement weather and poor footing can create challenges for exercising horses during the winter. Here are some factors to keep in mind.
Driving horses, whether pulling a plow, going for a pleasure drive, or competing, face health considerations similar to and distinct from those of typical sport horses.
An equine sports medicine specialist shares how footing can impact soundness and offers footing selection advice.
What’s under the hooves of the Paris 2024 Olympic horses? Let’s get down to ground level and look at the footing.
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