The influences of different treadmill constructions on ground reaction forces as determined by the use of a force‐measuring horseshoe

Summary In the present study, 3 horses trotted at a series of different speeds on a Säto TM treadmill and a coir mat treadmill to determine the differences in ground reaction forces due to the surface of the treadmills. The horses were equipped with a force‐measuring horseshoe to quantify the ground reaction forces which were analysed with spectral analysis. Significant differences between the 2 treadmills were seen in frequency content of the power spectrum for the vertical force at the frequency interval 30–80 Hz and for the fore‐aft force at 30–40 Hz and 70–120 Hz.