Both Cheltenham and Aintree racecourses have confirmed that they will be making the switch to foam-padded hurdles, which have been deemed as being much safer than obstacles that are made from birch. It comes amidst a definitive push to make jump racing as safe as possible for the horses involved.
Such padded obstacles are already in place in Exeter, Market Rasen and Wincanton, with two of the biggest courses in the country confirming that they will use them from October this year. Other Jockey Club owned racecourses will look to introduced them ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign, much to the relief of many.
Why the Change
The most obvious question to ask is why racecourse such as Aintree and Cheltenham would feel the need to change the makeup of their hurdles. The answer comes in the form of how much safer it is for the horses, with trials showing that they reduce the risk of falling by as much as 11%.
The current hurdles are made of birch, which is difficult for horses to force their legs through and therefore leads to more falls. The new obstacles would be made of padded foam, which is not only easier to push through but also causes less injuries to the legs of the horses as they clash into them whilst attempting to jump an obstacle.
Minor injuries have been reduced at courses that use the padded foam, with vets, trainers and other racecourse officials all reporting that fact. As things currently stand there has not been much said about what will happen with the jumps used in steeplechase races, but numerous changes to such events have occurred throughout the years in an attempt to make them as safe as can be.
It is likely that similar such introductions will be made there if the move to foam-padded obstacles works on the hurdles. Cheltenham, of course, boasts some of the best-known hurdle events in the county, if not the world, during the Festival week.
What is Being Said
Speaking on the matter, the Jockey Club’s Head of Racing and Clerk of the course at Cheltenham, Jon Pullin, said, “Following extensive research and analysis, it is evident that padded hurdles provide a safer alternative to traditional birch hurdles, while still presenting the same jumping challenge and spectacle for racing fans”.
It is the latter part that is arguably the most important factor in the eyes of some, given the fact that horses racing is a spectacle for fans first and foremost. The safety of the horses has become paramount in recent years, but it would be untrue to suggest that the industry has always put that front and centre in its thoughts.
For many, though, make things as safe as can be for the horses is crucial, with new technology and research constantly being used to improve safety standards. One of the interesting things is why the Jockey Club is delaying the introduction of such hurdles to its courses at Carlisle, Haydock, Huntingdon, Kempton, Sandown and Warwick until the summer of 2026.
The research is there to prove that this is safer, but it might well be the case that it is making the change at the high-profile courses in order to reduce the chance of criticism from campaigners, but delaying it elsewhere because of the expense of installing them in so many locations.
Do They Perform The Same Job?
Padded hurdles are a bit like a more robust version of the foam padded obstacles you see in the likes of soft play centers. They are far from play things, though, and for all intents and purposes they behave the same as hurdles made from brush and birch branches.
The height is the same with each being 3 foot and 6 inches tall and they are designed to bend and flex in the same way as older hurdles. The benefit is there are no stray branches that can catch a horse on the way through and if the horse misjudges the hurdle completely and ploughs through it there is far less risk of injury, falls, cuts and other issues.
Really the question should be how has it taken so long and when will it be expanded to larger fences?