Don’t let winter cold or inclement weather prevent your horse from staying in top physical condition. Or spend months getting him back in shape for show season. Classic Equine Equipment’s FullStride Treadmillsare the safe way to ensure year-round conditioning for your horses in a protected, controlled environment. Safely build and maintain muscle fitness in back, legs and hindquarters and improve overall balance and coordination.
“Every single type of horse can benefit from the conditioning and lengthening of stride that the FullStride Treadmill provides,” says Will Simpson, Olympic Gold Medalist and International Grand Prix Jumper.
The goal of any conditioning program is to give your horse exactly what he needs to get better, without increasing the risk of injury. Horses on treadmills benefit because:
- are not subject to rider error, and love to run with no one on their backs;
- can exercise precisely at the intensity needed for improvement, and not one step too fast;
- do not take ‘bad steps’ due to surface failures;
- can be observed by vets and farriers, who can intervene with suggestions;
- never miss a training day due to bad weather.
Top horse racing trainer Mike de Kock is also a fan of using treadmills. “When your horse may not have the bloodlines or ability of their opponent, fitness is the one area where you can beat them. Treadmills allow you to get that extra fitness and ‘the edge’. That is how important they are.”
Choose from variable routines to encourage full range of motion, or focus on specific muscle groups. An impact-absorbing pad reduces stress to your horse’s joints making for a better, safer workout. FullStride Treadmills come with five customizable pre-programmed exercise routines perfect for training, conditioning, or rehabilitation after an injury. Or, create your own programs tailored specifically for your horse and fitness goals. FullStride Treadmills can accommodate automated individual daily programs for up to 30 horses.
Classic Equine Equipment’s FullStride Treadmills are safe, fast and effective. Horses run on a stable, padded surface that reduces stress to bones and joints. Clear polycarbonate side panels are impact-resistant and provide an unobstructed view of the entire horse and tread surface, allowing you to visually monitor every movement your horse makes during exercise. A laser sensor ensures that your horse is in position before allowing the treadmill to start, and immediately stops the routine if a problem is detected. Quick release bars in the front and back of the horse ensure instant release. Mesh sides allow plenty of ventilation and, along with transparent polycarbonate panels, enable handlers to monitor the horse movements and behavior. Should a horse trip or fall, the electronic sensor will immediately shut off the treadmill.
Treadmills go beyond traditional means to exercise and allow the horse to move freely in a straight line. The horse is able to carry itself naturally building muscle, improving circulation and increasing stride length. But start your horse off slow. Let him get used to the treadmill gradually and always start the treadmill on its lowest speed so he can get used to it. If you are using the treadmill to bring your horse back from an injury, be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting.
To see a demo, watch our video with Will Simpson.
Tendons attach muscle to bone while ligaments connect bones and strengthen the joints. During exercise, a horse’s tendons can stretch from one to three inches. When the tendon is pushed beyond its “strain” capacity, injury can result. The damage normally involves rupturing of the tendon’s collagen fibers, resulting in inflammation, soreness, and an inability of the limb to function normally.
