title: Monitoring surface conditions of a Thoroughbred racetrack.
abstract: During a pilot study at a Thoroughbred racetrack, information was collected to include weather conditions and track surface properties (moisture content, composition, strength, and coefficient of friction between surface and hoof). Measured weather variables did not correlate to any pattern of horse injuries of breakdowns. Surface moisture content was variable, whereas the moisture content of the compacted cushion was constant. Track surfaces around the starting chutes were more compacted than were other areas of the track. Next to the rail, track surface was softer than the surface toward the middle of the track. The coefficient of friction between a hoof and the surface was not affected by location or surface moisture content.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clanton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kobluk
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012987:Soil; D013177:Sports / Q000592:standards*; D014887:Weather; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D012987:Soil