Recycled rubber causes fewer injuries to horses

ERJ staff report (DS)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- The equine performance industry reports noticeable improvement in movement, flexibility and hoof quality, and a reduction in fluid retention, when horses walk, trot and gallop on recycled rubber equine pavers, according to a press release from a company which supplies the material.

Liberty Tire Recycling quotes a report by the Center for Equine Health at the University of California, Davis. Liberty said the report reveals that synthetic horse track surfaces have the lowest values for vibration variables, which reduces the forces incurred by bones, joints, tendons and ligaments of the equine forelimb. The results of the report indicate that synthetic surfaces have significant potential for reducing musculoskeletal injuries in thoroughbred race horses.

"Over the years, recycled rubber processed from scrap tyres has become a useful material for a number of applications, including safety surfacing for horses and other livestock," said Jeffrey Kendall, CEO of Liberty. "The material offers many benefits to help reduce stress on leg muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints, which accounts for its widespread use within the equine industry."

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Press release from Liberty