Best footing for soft tissue injury

[blueribbonpaint]

I’m currently rehabbing a suspensory injury in my horse and wanted to consult the hive mind of COTH about the best footing to start exercise again. He’s back to trotting under saddle on straightaways and walking through the corners. I have access to an indoor arena with sand/GGT mix, a grass outdoor arena and a sand outdoor arena. We’re currently in a draught so both the grass and sand arenas are dry. The sand is loose and dry and the grass is firm, dry and dying. I’ve heard that firm footing is better for soft tissues, but soft, slightly deeper footing is better for bones and joints, is this true? I like being able to vary and cross train on multiple surfaces, but at this point in the rehab process I want to be sure I’m spending time in the arena which will best support his current needs.

Thanks!

[SusanO]

I would not be riding in loose deep sand. Especially if your horse has had suspensory issues.

[Feathered_Feet]

@blueribbonpaint

I’ve heard that firm footing is better for soft tissues, but soft, slightly deeper footing is better for bones and joints, is this true?

As a rough rubric, yes. But you should ask your vet what footing they would like you to use for the rehab as they know your situation best.

[cavecreek]

Not sure why people still use GGT with the lack of water everywhere. It took us probably 2-3 times the amount of water than just having sand to keep it maintained. We ended up scraping it and putting about 1.5 - 2 inches of just a masonry sand then added the Foam Footing from performance footing. It was night and day different both in maintenance but in our horse that was rehabbing from a suspensory