The best surfaces for horses to work on allow the toe to dig into the ground, then hold firmly, giving the horse something to push off against. The worst surfaces are those that are rock hard, giving no dig, and those that are too soft, like sand, which collapses behind the horse's foot and makes him work harder. Most surfaces fall somewhere in between, and, of course, different surfaces are suited for different types of horse sports. You wouldn't want to ride a dressage test in a cutting arena, or ride your Paso Fino in a furrow behind a Shire plowing a field. Equipping The Foot For Concussion Plenty of products on the market are designed to absorb shock and make life easier on a horse's feet.
Pads are the first thing that come to people's minds when shock-absorption is mentioned.
Most pads are made from plastic or leather, but they are available in different thicknesses and angulations. Some have heel pads, some have frog pads, and some are designed to help stabilize the heels. A full pad will cover up the sole, and you won't be able to see any bruises. If your horse is prone to thrush, you might have trouble with the wet environment trapped under a pad. There also are some pads that cover only the heels, if that is where your horse is sore.