laurengrace
New User
I am currently putting together an assignment, for part of my degree, about the benefits and problems associated with horse walkers.
What are your opinions of them?
What are your opinions of them?
Horse Walkers
- Thread starter laurengrace
- Start date
LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
I like them.
Especially useful for yards that can't offer much winter turnout. You can put the Horse on the walker whilst you do your jobs.
Good for competition and race Horses that need to be kept fit. As well as riding daily, it will help keep the Horse fit.
Couple of downsides , the Horse could get bored walking in circles, So I personally wouldn't want to be using it every day. Also wouldn't want youngsters on it, the constant walking in circles will do their tendons and muscles no favours.
Especially useful for yards that can't offer much winter turnout. You can put the Horse on the walker whilst you do your jobs.
Good for competition and race Horses that need to be kept fit. As well as riding daily, it will help keep the Horse fit.
Couple of downsides , the Horse could get bored walking in circles, So I personally wouldn't want to be using it every day. Also wouldn't want youngsters on it, the constant walking in circles will do their tendons and muscles no favours.
Clippy
Well-Known Member
I love mine. I put 4 on in the mornings and by the time i've done 4 stables, filled 4 nets and done 4 waters, they come off nice and settled. If we don't get chance to ride any during the day for whatever reason, then it's not the end of the world as they've already had a good walk.
It can be chancy on a windy day as the wind can get behind the paddles and speed it up a bit! Some horses can be clowns on it too, i've had a couple which have stopped it constantly by standing stubborn and one which bites the top of the centre and runs with it.
It's not easy to clean and it gets very dirty. If it's dirty it's slippy so cleaning can be an annoyance. Mine isn't under cover so I bought some walker rugs which are handy for cold days but I don't like using the walker in the rain as i'm always scared of the mats getting slippery
It can be chancy on a windy day as the wind can get behind the paddles and speed it up a bit! Some horses can be clowns on it too, i've had a couple which have stopped it constantly by standing stubborn and one which bites the top of the centre and runs with it.
It's not easy to clean and it gets very dirty. If it's dirty it's slippy so cleaning can be an annoyance. Mine isn't under cover so I bought some walker rugs which are handy for cold days but I don't like using the walker in the rain as i'm always scared of the mats getting slippery
Crosshill Pacers
Well-Known Member
I like them too. I have worked for a guy who trains racehorses in the past and found it good for letting the horses cool down after a workout on the track, and also on days when it was too rough to go on the track as well. Also, when I was mucking out when my boss was severely ill, it was handy being able to chuck four of them on there, rather than have them standing tied whilst I mucked out.
We used it for young horses whilst breaking them to harness as well to get them used to walking with the hobbles and bits of harness on them without tanking off when scared of being touched by the pieces.
Downsides were the horses stopping the walker by stopping and pushing their backsides against the following paddle (if loose), or stopping and pulling back on the paddle in front (if tied). The number of times I found the horses stood doing bugger all, just looking about! Other than that, a very useful piece of equipment!
We used it for young horses whilst breaking them to harness as well to get them used to walking with the hobbles and bits of harness on them without tanking off when scared of being touched by the pieces.
Downsides were the horses stopping the walker by stopping and pushing their backsides against the following paddle (if loose), or stopping and pulling back on the paddle in front (if tied). The number of times I found the horses stood doing bugger all, just looking about! Other than that, a very useful piece of equipment!
Wizzkid
Well-Known Member
Downsides were the horses stopping the walker by stopping and pushing their backsides against the following paddle (if loose), or stopping and pulling back on the paddle in front (if tied). The number of times I found the horses stood doing bugger all, just looking about! Other than that, a very useful piece of equipment![/QUOTE]
Agree with this, my horse has just been banned from ours for stopping it which is really annoying as it was really handy esp when it snowed!
Agree with this, my horse has just been banned from ours for stopping it which is really annoying as it was really handy esp when it snowed!