Water treadmill

[Ceriann]

Anyone done a course with their horse? A yard close to me is running a special offer for a course of 6 and thinking it can’t hurt. She’s now git a fully healed medial branch post injury but we continue (18 months later) to work on strength and core (mainly with hacking). If you’ve done a course have you done them all close together as an intensive programme or spaced them out? Thanks

 

[milliepops]

can't answer the question but when I looked into this for one of mine, I was told to be very choosy about where we went because in order for it to be beneficial, the people running the sessions need to really understand what they are doing.

 

[SO1]

We have a water treadmill on our yard. My pony has just come off rehab after a suspensory branch injury. He has been having water treadmills as part of his controlled exercise whilst in the rehab phase.

Now he is off rehab I am continuing once a week for time being to keep his leg strong & as part of cross training. I don't want him to spend too much time in the school or doing repetitive activities or lunge.

Ideally I would continue this permanently but probably not feasible financially.

 

[Ceriann]

can't answer the question but when I looked into this for one of mine, I was told to be very choosy about where we went because in order for it to be beneficial, the people running the sessions need to really understand what they are doing.

Thanks - I’m asking them lots of questions. This is a livery yard that offers rehabbing, which I’ve independently got positive reviews for. They have 2 people supervising each visit, and have asked what I’m trying to achieve etc.

 

[SO1]

I may well be a livery at this yard.

Thanks - I’m asking them lots of questions. This is a livery yard that offers rehabbing, which I’ve independently got positive reviews for. They have 2 people supervising each visit, and have asked what I’m trying to achieve etc.

 

[Ceriann]

We have a water treadmill on our yard. My pony has just come off rehab after a suspensory branch injury. He has been having water treadmills as part of his controlled exercise whilst in the rehab phase.

Now he is off rehab I am continuing once a week for time being to keep his leg strong & as part of cross training. I don't want him to spend too much time in the school or doing repetitive activities or lunge.

Ideally I would continue this permanently but probably not feasible financially.

Do you think it has benefitted him - we school once a week max at the minute (for same reasons as you) and using hacking to school and achieve strength and fitness.

 

[SO1]

Absolutely I am not someone who easily parts with money. It really helped with fitness as he can trot on it. Also as he is exercising 7 days a week at the moment to keep strong, fit & slim it means he gets a day when he is not ridden but still decent exercise.

Do you think it has benefitted him - we school once a week max at the minute (for same reasons as you) and using hacking to school and achieve strength and fitness.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I used a water treadmill for my dog and it definitely helped, would do the same for a horse if I could.

 

[DZ2]

can't answer the question but when I looked into this for one of mine, I was told to be very choosy about where we went because in order for it to be beneficial, the people running the sessions need to really understand what they are doing.

Same here. Whilst I know people who used used them successfully, my instructor (who's highly regarded locally GP rider) talked me out of taking my horse during his rehab post KS op and suspensory injury. She said you have to be extremely careful with water levels etc. etc. as it's possible to damage them further so no worth the risk.

 

[Wheels]

It looks like really hard work for them when the water gets up to a certain height and it would worry me that they might pull or strain something in the back / upper limb as a result of having to lift their legs quite high for a sustained period of time. Plus there is not much chance for them to say 'no' in the same way they can when schooling over poles. There is also no break with every stride needing to be elevated whereas with polework they do get a break in between.

That's my reasoning for so far not using one although it's not based in science, just a gut feel.

 

[mavandkaz]

Yes, I used one as part of rehab.We went once a week.
As above, make sure it is well run with professionals who know what they are doing. At the time the one I used was also involved in a research project in conjunction with one of the vet schools. And both ladies who run it are experienced physios/chiros and vet nurses who have worked with various vet practices specialising in rehab etc
The first session is very just getting used to the treadmill and noise. My boy was very settled so got as far as a couple of cm of water, no different to a puddly road. He walked for a total of 12 min.
As we built it up it was all explained to me. Usual session runs for about 30min but the majority of this is without water (warm up and cool down) and even when they add water, it won't be at full depth for long.
She also explained that they don't often go above knee height as actually they don't want the horse lifting right out above the water line, but rather work against the force of the water. Some horses need it deeper to stop them from trying to lift their feet out, but it's very much on an individual basis.
If a horse did decide that it couldn't cope with the workload etc it could just stop, and then the emergency stop button kicks in. We all watched him like a hawk for any discomfort but he seemed to love it, and I was able to get such a good view of him moving from all angles - front, behind, side on at foot level, and from above.

If they do a discounted first session I would certainly go for it

 

[Follysmum]

I used to use one for my lad when he competed in endurance. It was fantastic For fitness, was managed by my chiropractor so I knew he was in safe hands

 

[Ceriann]

Thanks all - I’ve had good reviews on the livery but the caution is noted and I will check it out a lot more. I will talk to my physio as she’s used one on her horse but no idea where she went.