Originally Posted by
Maoraigh1
"Horizontal velocity allows friction with the ground to dissipate kinetic energy at a gentler rate than happens with a completely vertical impact"
Friction with ground will dissipate kinetic energy parallel to the ground.
Kinetic energy perpendicular to the ground will be dissipated by deformation of the object and the ground. The latter will be over a very short time interval.
You may be surprised by how short a landing can be without damage. I once landed a glider on a sandy loam fallow field and was astonished by the sudden stop. Over some two fuselage lengths the gear dug a steadily deepening trench until the glider was sitting on the gear doors.
Admittedly, it cost me under $5 to replace a couple gear door hinges.