Yes, but I read recently (but can’t remember where) that a track examination showed that horse with small hooves left barely an indentation in soft ground compared to the deeper impressions made by the “dinner plate” hooves. It was thought that this was because the small hooves enabled them to “skip” over the ground. Probably bollox.
Dunno the answer, but wouldn't the horse with smaller feet be lighter, anyway?
Someone said on TV some time back that smaller feet sink further in as they're like cocktail sticks going into a sponge.
As Simmo says, the bigger feet are thought to have a 'snowshoe' effect.
Those are the theories. How much validity they hold is another matter. After all, you're just as likely to hear them say, "a class horse will act on any ground".
Aye, right.
Last edited by Desert Orchid; 25th September 2020 at 6:41 PM.
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I guess so. As I recall the article was suggesting that the ability to handle soft had more to do with the horses conformation and action - high or low knee action etc - than the size of their hooves. Some trainers believe there is optimal ground conditions for each of their horses and seek to run them accordingly even though they might “get away with it” on other conditions. Alternatively, Venetia Williams only runs her horses on softish ground because she thinks the risk of tendon injury is much greater for anything better than good to soft.
I definitely look for horses with bigger feet in soft ground. As already mentioned the snowshoe effect. It’s not always a guarantee but when I am standing next to a point to point paddock in the middle of winter, I can cross plenty off with small feet and don’t often get it wrong.
Yes knee action too is a high indicator really because they tend to hit the ground harder as a result so don’t appreciate firmer ground. A “daisy cutter” action where it just skims the surface tends to be unable to get through soft ground.
If you watch horses, those that don’t like the ground often nod a fair bit in running as they hit patches they don’t like. And those that are uncomfortable on fast ground will stick their heads up in the air and not “let themselves down”
Trainers should absolutely be able to work out what ground their horses need. I can sit on a horse, gallop it and tell you quite quickly.
tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito
barjon (25th September 2020), Desert Orchid (25th September 2020), Outsider (26th September 2020), reet hard (25th September 2020), viking (25th September 2020)
Goshen starts an unorthodox preparation for the Champion Hurdle in the 3:45 at Haydock tomorrow.
12.55 Haydock-New Day
Each Way @ 16-1 [Bet 365]
Should improve on her debut experience
"The wise man is one who knows what he does not know"
He's certainly a shoo-in price.
Middle Park is fascinating but can't see an angle.
In the Cheveley Park I'm not keen on Dandella and Miss Amulet/Sacred were a lot faster than Happy Romance over the same c&d on the same day at York in their resective races so I have it between those two. The price diff is a tad excessive so I've gone with the CP filly.
In the Cambs the ew terms are nice so one has to get involved and I've gone for King Carney who shaped really well behind the fav at Newbury last month. He was keen that day before keeping on and this extra furlong plus getting a decent pace to follow will suit.
Some Chaos entered at Huntingdon on Wednesday in a handicap hurdle. Rated 120 over hurdles, which is 20lb less that his chase rating.
Jobby being the operative word
Illegitimi non carborundum
“It was very disappointing. Goshen was a bit keen and lit up early and hopefully something will come out in the wash. We've only managed to gallop him once on grass and it probably wasn't enough. Plans have been scrapped at the minute and he won't go to Ascot [Long Distance Cup] on the back of that “ - Gary Moore, trainer.
Rory DeLargy, late of this parish tipped both Supremecy and Majestic Dawn in the Irish Field today.
"And still they gazed and still the wonder grew. That one small head could carry all he knew.
And that small head knew that Impaire Et Passe would win the Champion Hurdle."