Treadmill vs Horse Walker

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Stu85

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Hi All,

I've recently been thinking about installing a horse walker into our yard, however when looking online I stumbled across this website;

http://www.cambros.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

I've never even heard of treadmills before so I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are on them? Has anyone one seen one in action or in fact does anyone own own one and are they a good alternative to a horse walker?

You're thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Stu
 
I think they are totally different, the horse walker can be used by several horses for a basic leg stretch which may or may not be beneficial depending on your views, a treadmill is a proper work out but needs to be used very carefully, I would not leave a horse unsupervised on one which people tend to do with walkers, they put the horses on then get on with other jobs, the walker is more likely to be used on a livery yard unless the horses are on rehab or in serious work and you are looking to increase that with less impact on them.
 
I've never liked the constant circling that horses do on circular horsewalkers and wouldn't use one regularly due to this (I don't like it when horses are over lunged either). The treadmill takes that worry away, but TBH I enjoy doing fittening work the traditional way, so probably wouldn't use it either.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking a treadmill could be good to use during the winter months to maintain the fitness of my horses when it's harder to get out on them (long hours at work & dark nights) but I can't seem to find any reviews of them.

Does anyone know anyone in the North East (Durham/Newcastle) that own one? I'd be really keen to see one in action before splashing out!

Stu
 
One of my horses used to use a water treadmill. It was a fantastic piece of kit. Combined with usual fitness work It is very useful.
 
Stu85 said:
Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking a treadmill could be good to use during the winter months to maintain the fitness of my horses when it's harder to get out on them (long hours at work & dark nights) but I can't seem to find any reviews of them.

Does anyone know anyone in the North East (Durham/Newcastle) that own one? I'd be really keen to see one in action before splashing out!

Stu
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For maintaining fitness I would go for the treadmill, it is going to get them working with far more benefits than a walker.
 
Thanks be positive.

I've come across a couple of sites selling them now that I've started looking but Cambros are based about an hour and a half away from me so I'm going to get in touch and arrange a viewing, I'll keep you all posted!

Are there any questions you think I should be asking them?
 
I much prefer horse walkers - you can chuck the horse on and forget about them. Treadmills you have to be there with them all of the time. We have sent a couple of horses for wind tests at the vets who have cantered/1/2 speeded on them and they have come back with really sore shins.

Each to their own but personally I wouldn't have one.
 
I would have a treadmill over a walker. I have used walkers a lot, with various surfaces, but I do think they strain the legs.

My neighbour has her horse locally using a treadmill as it has a stifle injury and needs it's bum building up on hill work. We live in the flatlands between Doncaster and Goole, no hills for miles. The vet said a treadmill would do the job. The horse is enjoying it, just walk work, but uphill.

I would not fancy a canter treadmill, as I know when I run on a treadmill I feel a bit woozy, and they look more liable for accident, plus as above poster says, they do seem a bit hard for canter. For mainly walk and maybe a period of jog though I would love one, but they seem to be about 13K. I just do roadwork, albeit on the flat.

I have also seen the water walker, there is one in Barnsley at Diane Smeaton's. The horse was REALLY working.

I am not sure if the rehab yard at Helen Bell's has a treadmill? They have a horse swimming pool and a walker so perhaps not.

I would ask if it needs normal electrictrickery or 3 phase. Also if it can live out. Also service intervals. Also emergency stop capability.

Good luck!
 
Red-1 said:
I have also seen the water walker, there is one in Barnsley at Diane Smeaton's. The horse was REALLY working.
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Agree with all the above but particularly this. Water treadmill so much better than swimming even, much less strain on the neck. Also the top line you get from water walkers is incredible. Plus they're great for rehab. Bit pricier but I really do think worth every penny.

Just as a thought, if you get something new (treadmill etc) consider taking your horse to somewhere they use it regularly to try it out/ get used to it. Some take to it like old hands but mine had a bit of a freakout once in an equispa when the water came in. Not terrible, contained, but glad I wasn't by myself!
 
stu85 said:
thanks be positive.

I've come across a couple of sites selling them now that i've started looking but cambros are based about an hour and a half away from me so i'm going to get in touch and arrange a viewing, i'll keep you all posted!

Are there any questions you think i should be asking them?
Click to expand...

how do you get on ? Did you buy one ? It would be nice to share data as there don't seem to be many in use in the uk other than in race yards and they are a closed shop
 
As it happens the one I mentioned belonging to a neighbour is now for sale. It is up for 4K I think, fully working. It is only suitable for a smaller horse, as it is rather narrow for fatties. It is on a constant slope. As it is sloping, and reverse off only, I would say it is only suitable for a steady horse who has used one before.

PM me if interested and I will give their contact details.
 
Treadmills and water treadmills are two totally different things when you analyse the stresses/forces exerted on the horses body.

IF we are talking low level work with a sound, fit horse (ie only walking) my choice would be treadmill, oval horsewalker (the type seen at Newmarket etc), circular horsewalkers and then water treadmills last of all.
 
We have both a walker and a water treadmill on the yard.

Walkers are more economical as you can put several horses on there at the same time whereas the treadmill you can only have one on there at a time. Most people can supervise a horse on walker whereas treadmill require some training on how to operate.

However the treadmill puts less pressure on the legs as they are not going round in circles.

My pony goes on the water treadmill once a week as part of an exercise plan to keep his weight under control, he tends to have one session on the treadmill, 3 times a week in the school and 2 times a week hacking.

If you have a lot of horses to exercise and a limited amount of time then you would probably be better off with the horse walker.
 
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