Evaluation of Different Shock Absorbing Horseshoes, Based on Accelelometric Measuring

by: E. BARRY, P. BENOIT, J.C. REGNAULT, J.L. BROCHET, Centre INRA SGQA - Unite cheval F-78352 JOUY-EN-JOSAS Cedex ENVA - Service de Nutrion F-94704 MAISON ALFORT Cedex Garde Republicaine, Regiment de cavalerie Service Veterinaire F-75181 PARIS Cedes 04 Marechal ferrant, rue du Gouffre, F-77120 ST AUGUSTIN.

The measurement of hoof acceleration of trotting horses was used to compare damping effect of different shoes during the impact. The forelimbs of the horses were shod with 10 types of shoeing like steel, aluminum and polyurethane shoes and different pads associated with a traditional steel shoe. At impact, the maximum deceleration rate had extreme values such as 327 (+/- 55) to 746 m/s2 (+/-14) respectively for steel shoe and the more efficient polyurethane shoe (P<0.01). After the shock, the vibrating frequency was smaller for aluminum and polyurethane shoes (364 Hz +/- 23) than for steel shoes (503 Hz +/-49) (P<0.01).

With purpose to clarify the results of this study, we represent the ACP graphically, by plotting the points of the two components into the square between the two first axes. The first component (axis 1) regrouping the two most important variables (FREQ and DVIB) explains 54.4% of the total variation. The second component (axis 2), cover the CHOC (Shock) and explains 28.3%, of the total variation. The combination of these two axes ( 82,7% of the total variance) allows us to construct a graphical representation that compares the irons in such a way that all three parameters are simultaneously taken into account (fig VI). In order to in interpret this analysis it is possible to give each axis a particular mechanical signification. Axis 1 represents 'resonance' whereas axis 2 represents the initial 'shock intensity'. The most comfortable horse shoe systems reduce at the same time the shock and the resonance in the foot. Therefore the iron shoe seemed the least favourable whereas horse shoe no. 11 (Slypner) seems to be the most shock absorbing shoe.