Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
I am not the op! And what hint is that sport horse?
Horse stops walker!
- Thread starter Summer pudding
- Start date
I am not the op! And what hint is that sport horse?
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
The OP is called Summer Pudding, but hey ho.
I've never hidden my dislike of the overuse of horse walkers (especially when they are small, circular ones) or of over lunging on this forum. I also wouldn't zap a horse in a confined space (but I have used electric fencing), but then I'm one of those crazy folks who wouldn't use a cattle prod to load a reluctant loader either. I have a firm grip on what I feel is acceptable and what isn't and generally if the 'training' or 'encouragement' falls into the learned helplessness category, I'm against it. If people can't see why a properly used electric fence is different to zapping a confined animal and they think that because I do, it makes me a fluffy bunny, then fine, I'm a fluffy bunny.
I do feel for the OP's situation. I hope that a solution is found and that the weather and circumstances change so that you don't have to rely on the walker so much.
Thank you faracat could not have put it better myself
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Well said
Pennythetank
Well-Known Member
Fgs, five minutes on a walker while the op mucks out is hardly comparable to days walking around under the Mediterranean sun with novice tourists on the horses back....
Personally I think zapping a horse while confining it is a bad idea but in moderation walkers are not satanic!
Summer pudding
Well-Known Member
From OP - Yup, my sentiments entirely....well said! I am amazed at the extreme reactions my question has caused....but I have enjoyed the wry tone adopted in some of the tongue in cheek replies which have made me smile. No need for Animal Rights intervention here as I won't be putting my chap into a whirling metal cage for hours, and letting him get zapped on the bum with an electric cattle prod or the like....with or without the sun burning down on him. Perhaps a slight overreaction to compare horrible pony roundabouts to 10 mins on the walker every other day!
Turitea
Well-Known Member
Reading this thread I was wandering if any of you use a non-circular walker? Have seen an oval and rectangular one (rounded corners) for the first time while visiting friends last year. How common are these (oval, rectangular)? Does anyone know? Just curious.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Reading this thread I was wandering if any of you use a non-circular walker? Have seen an oval and rectangular one (rounded corners) for the first time while visiting friends last year. How common are these (oval, rectangular)? Does anyone know? Just curious.
Sadly I've only seen circular ones on the yards I've been to, but research has shown that the oval/rectangular ones are much less damaging to the horse's joints as the horse isn't constantly turning. I have seen photos of big, covered oval/rectangular ones at racing yards. I can only assume that they are much more pricey, so therefore less popular.
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Turn the electric on they normally only do it once. Used walkers for years (though sadly missing one at my own yard, saving up) and never had an issue. We use a walker for all the stallions at work (world class horses such as those at London 2012) with no issues. Electric always on for safety. You say they can't get away from the zap, they can they walk/trot forwards!! Walker spaces arnt that small that they have to walk with their arse 1cm away from the paddle!