Horsewalker... do i need a yard with one?

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JV1975

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Hi. I'm just about to buy my first horse and am looking at part livery. I am trying to work out whether i need a yard with horse walker as i am often called away to work for a week or so in the month. I'm thinking about a morning turnout and then afternoon ride or walker routine (ride when I am at home/ walker when i'm not.) I've looked at some yards without walkers, but as a first time owner I am wondering what experienced owners think about how useful they really are. I'm also interested in the alternatives as I don't really want to pay people to exercise for 6 days whilst i'm away. It's really just about keeping the horse reasonably fit and occupied when I'm not about, so I'm open to all suggestions and opinions... :D
 
We have a walker, and it is a god send. Not really a neccessity, but a really nice thing to have. My horse has just gone lame, and vet advised controlled exercise for 20mins. He can do this when I`m mucking out!

Its also really useful for fittening work. I put him on it on his non ridden days, or for 20mins in side reins before I ride. It really makes a difference.

We have horses on hunter livery, and for the first 2 weeks of the season they only go on the walker, and the transformation is amazing from the unfit horse.
 
We had a horsewalker installed on our private yard...and took it out a year later.

I had 4 horses; 2 TBs and 2 natives. The natives just used to spend their time trying to sit on the paddle and slow the thing down. One of them even managed to turn around in its section and was found 5 minutes later trying to reverse around the walker. Nightmare. The TB'S on the other hands used to run and leap and sod about all the time.

I couldnt leave them unattended and so it didnt save me anytime at all. I then had the added problem of taking horses out and leading them back up the corrider to the stable block. I couldnt tie one up whilst I got the last one off as I couldnt lead two down the narrow aisle so had to leave one unattended whilst I ran back with the other. Not ideal.
 
I am not a big fan of horse walkers but do appreciate they serve a purpose especially when bring a horse back from injury.

I would not consider it necessary to go to a yard with a walker but would suggest maximum turnout.

As a rule, horses should not be put on a horsewalker unsupervised - mine also used to turn around if left to her own devices. With the yards that you have looked at with walkers do check to see if you are charged extra for the yard to put your horse on the walker in your absence.
 
I wouldn't say they were necessary and unless you were looking to compete, or have a horse that can't cope without being exercised, then have a week off every now and then is not a bad thing imo.

We have a horse walker on our yard but I don't put mine on it as I can only see it as being incredibly boring and would rather her be turned out than trundling round on it.
 
We have one but I have told YO that my horse is NOT to go on it. I think they are bad for the legs. Constant turning on a gripping surface , worse if there is a rubber surface!
 
We are on a yard with a walker and a small indoor. With three to do and working full time, the walker is a godsend! If the school is not available, then the boys can go on the walker while we muck out. It has made the wonter much easier to deal with. I, for one, wouldn't be without one.
 
Hey, I tend to agree with an above post that says it is not a must but make sure your new yard has maximum turnout all year round... I used to be at a yard with a walker and thought it was great to have but have equally adjusted back to having none after we moved. I have two small kids and although I manage to ride most days there are some when it just doesn't work out but I know that my horse generally gets turned out as much as poss.

Also, it scares me to think that there are people putting them into the walker in side reins! So much can go wrong when they happen to spook and then panic inside the thing!!! (plus, Sprite, sorry but when are you warming your horse up to ride if he goes into the walker in side reins? I have learnt to start my riding on the long rein before progressing to working on an outline or use aids...)
 
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I've never had a yard with a horsewalker and so far so good but I am sure they must have their uses or there wouldnt be so many of them!
 
Look for a yard that allows you to turnout 24/7. If you stable a horse, it stands still, so you have to spend a lot of exercise time making up for that. Get a gelding and turn it out with other geldings and they will play their way to basic fitness!
 
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