Hey Tilly,
Out of curiosity, what does an average "trail" horse weigh? What is the contact area of an average hoof?
According to my assumptions, Weight: 1000-1500 lbs, (lets say 1200) and a hoof size of about 4"x4" (assuming the "toe" is the contact area). 2 x Pie x Diam = 25" is the circumferance. Fiqure the "toe" is less than half of the circumferance. That produces what? An area about 10" long and 1" wide? Is this a correct assumption? I really don't know!
O.k., say 1200/4 = 300 lbs/hoof /10 sq.in. /hoof equals 30 lbs/sq in.
About the same! Hmmmm, interesting.
Would it be safe to assume that while a horse is walking, it's only on 3 hooves at a time that yields 40lbs/sq in. Not a significant difference!
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