The Horse Walker The Ultimate Training Tool What is a Horse Walker?According to HQ Magazine, “A horse walker is an automated system in which horses are divided through fixed partitions that rotate at a chosen speed, thereby exercising the horse at a consistent pace.”A horse walker generally looks like a “double lunge ring”, but with the additional of machine driven ‘arms’, off of which gates are hung as partitions between horses.What are the Benefits Associated with Horse Walkers?There are infinite benefits to using a horse walker for your horse, these benefits vary of course depending on the type of work. It is thus important to choose the correct work programme for your horse.Light walking encourages good circulation throughout the body, healthy gut function and loosens, stretches, and strengthens the muscles of the body. It has also been shown that regular use of the walker strengthens bones, tendons and ligaments in horses of all ages.At a higher intensity the walker can be used for cardiovascular ‘interval training’ to increase fitness, and at a lower intensity it can be used for ‘recovery sessions’ to decrease stiffness after strenuous rides.Horse walkers are particularly useful at exercising horses during rainy, wet weather, when it is impossible to turn horses out into paddocks. An opportunity to exercise during such weather is vital to preventing muscle stiffness and colic, as exercise increases blood flow and stimulates the gut.How much will this cost me? Sessions in the horse walker will cost a flat rate of R450 per month per horse, regardless of how many times you request it’s use. This amount will be invoiced monthly in arrears.The walker will operate Monday to Friday and your horse can be placed in as many or as few sessions as you like.A “once off” session will cost R95 per session and must be booked directly with the yard managers or yard owner.What Programme is Suitable for my Horse?Please see below our programmes on offer, we can also create custom programmes to suit your individual needs.Have a chat to the management team for more info!Golden OldiesKeeping your horse happy into his Golden YearsA light programme ideal to keep older horses stimulated both physically and mentally.Light walking of the older horse encourages good circulation throughout the body, healthy gut function and loosens, stretches, and strengthens the muscles of the body, preventing muscle atrophy.Consistent exercise been proven to strengthen bones, tendons and ligaments in horses of all ages, but is particularly useful in helping the older horse age gracefully.Light work in older horses has also been shown to reduce boredom and stress associated with retirement or a decreased work-load.This programme was developed with the older horse in mind, introducing the concept of the horse walker slowly and carefully. By keeping to slower speeds and slightly shorter sessions, undue strain on the limbs and cardiovascular system is prevented.Interval TrainingLevel❶for the Performance HorseThis programme incorporates long, slow work to strengthen bones, ligaments and tendons, cardiovascular ‘interval training’ to increase fitness, as well as ‘recovery sessions’…