Biomechanical Hoof Tester

While recent decades have seen a great expansion of sensor and measurement technology, at the same time very little has been done to develop tools to assist in the maintenance of racing surfaces.  The proposed effort in surface characterization will provide a method which can be used on a daily basis by track personnel to measure the performance of the racing surface.  The unique demands placed on the surfaces by the horse require that the tools used for testing be developed specifically for horseracing.  The key feature of the Biomechanical Hoof Tester is that it replicates the speed and load applied to the track surface during the initial impact and loading of the track by the forelimb of a horse at a gallop.  A track which can respond during this critical phase of the gallop is most likely to be able to support the horse during the rest of the gait.

The first version of the machine was tested at Santa Anita Racetrack in 2004. With support from Dan Fick and AQHA Racing, testing in 2004 and a prototype in 2005 resulted in a machine which could be used to characterize surfaces.

Trying to make it work at Santa Anita Park, January 2004

By summer of 2005, a newer version of the machine was developed which is the basis for the current machine.This machine has been used at over 309 racetracks and training facilities in the United States and Canada. While most of the testing has been done at Thoroughbred racetracks, Quarter horse tracks with mixed and separate meets, Stanardbred tracks and arenas have all been tested.

Demonstration during 2005 NTRA Racetrack Superintendents Meeting at Del Mar

Arena Testing with Swedish Biomechanical Hoof Test Machine

Testing during the 2009 Kentucky Derby