10 Safety tips using a Horse Exerciser

Owners often worry about the safety when using exerciser machines. If you choose the right machine and take sensible precautions, you can enjoy its many benefits without injury to your equine partner.

Here are 10 safety tips for horse exerciser safety.

1. Going Free-Style

The European type of horse walker, such as the EuroXciser, is a safer alternative than the traditional version. The horse is not tethered, with his head held in an artificial position, which can result in injuries to his back and his hocks.

He can’t get hung up on his lead rope and won’t feel restricted or try to break loose by pulling on it, stalling the machine and upsetting his equine companions.

Because he is allowed to move naturally and with freedom, he relaxes quickly into his exercise routine, and develops more correct muscling.

2. Sufficient Room

Choose a horse walker that offers a generous amount of space for the horse to move in.

With a machine such as the EuroXciser each horse has a work area of at least 30’ or more in length and 8’ in width. These measurements prevent him from feeling claustrophobic and panicking, and he has plenty of room to turning round in when you change the direction of rotation.

3. Nowhere to Get Stuck

Walls

Particular attention needs to be paid to the construction of the outer and inner walls of the walker.

They should be high enough to prevent the horse from being able to jump out, be very strong, and have no gaps big enough for him to get his legs, hooves or head stuck.

Here are examples of safe fencing, with the added advantage that individual panels or planks can be easily replaced.

Inside Partitions

The dividing partitions between each horse should have no areas where a horse’s hooves (or any other part of his anatomy) can get caught.

Lightweight and easily removable metal frames containing wire grids and a rubber base are ideal. A good example is the EuroXciser partition: horses are not only physically safe between them, but can also see their equine buddies on the walker and relax.

These frames can be connected to a fence charger, which is extremely useful if you have horses which persistently lean against the back panel and disrupt the work flow.

Another safe choice of partition is neoprene rubber, perforated to allow air flow and reduce overall weight. They are soft on flying hooves, but their one disadvantage is that they cannot be charged.

4. Smooth & Safe Engine

Especially for a horse not use to an exerciser, or of a nervous disposition and easily upset by loud noise, a quiet engine is a real bonus. Using a inline geared motor allows for whisper quiet operation, and not agitate a horse with unfamiliar noise. These type of drive trains also more reliable and require little maintenance.

5. Stopping in an Emergency

An emergency stop button on the outside controller is essential.

Knowing the walker can be stopped immediately if necessary will gives you additional peace of mind.

6. Surface

In order to relax in his work your horse must feel secure and comfortable going round the track. One of the biggest ways to keep him safe on the horse walker is good footing.

You never want to exercise your equines on a concrete surface. It’s easy for them to slip on, is hard on their hooves and can cause severe concussion injuries. Concrete becomes even more dangerous when covered with droppings or rained on.

The footing you choose should provide sufficient traction and absorb impact. Excellent choices include soft sands with rubber additives.

Rubber mats underneath the footing add extra cushioning. They should allow adequate drainage and be properly secured so they don’t move under the working horse.

7. Spotless Track

Cleaning

Regular clearing of manure and other debris from the track keeps it clean and safe for horses to work on.

Dragging

No matter how good the footing, your track will lose its ability to absorb impact if it becomes worn. At this point your horse will derive considerably less benefit from being on the walker and may even suffer injury to his ligaments and tendons.

For your equine partner to stay safe on the exerciser, drag your track regularly. This will level out the footing again and retain the correct mixture of materials, if you’re using more than one.

Moisturizing for Maximum Impact

A certain amount of moisture in the footing will maintain its ability to absorb impact.

It also reduces the quantity of dust produced by the horses as they go round the walker, and keeps them safe from respiratory problems caused by inhalation of the particles.

A good proportion of water to footing volume is 5% – 10%.

8. Slow Introduction

How you introduce your horse to an automated walker plays a big part in how well he’ll take to this form of exercise and will affect his safety.

He should not be placed in it alone: put one or two equine pals on there first. Then allow him to watch them quietly go round before you lead him into an empty partition behind a horse he’s comfortable with.

Accustom him to the machine in walk, and take your time teaching him how to turn around when it stops.

Don’t leave him on it alone after his work session, and take him off before removing his friends.

9. Sans Halter

It is less risky if the horse doesn’t wear a halter on the free-style exerciser.

Just as it is preferable not to leave him in the paddock with one on, it’s a smart safety measure to remove his halter as he goes into his space in the walker.

Wearing a halter may make him easier to lead off the exerciser initially, but once he’s used to it, he’ll soon let you put it back on when you want to take him out again.

10. Supervision

Horses should never be left on the horse exerciser without someone keeping an eye on them. This ensures that immediate assistance can be given if an emergency should arise.

Place the walker where you can see it as you go about your daily horse business. The horses will also find their sessions more interesting if they can see activity going on around them, and they won’t feel abandoned on the walker.

Plus, you won’t forget they’re on there!

Taking these precautions will help keep your equine safe on the horse exerciser and allow you to take advantage of the many benefits this machine has to offer.

Resources & Further Information

EuroXciser

Panel Fencing

Footing

Horse Exerciser Helps in Horse Management

Horse Management: Horse Exerciser Arguably Your Barn’s Most Valued Assets

Anyone accustomed to using a horse exerciser will tell you how lost they would be if they suddenly had to do without one.

Horse exercisers are a huge asset to horse owners, trainers and breeders alike, with some barns running theirs all day. A company such as EuroXciser offers many different types to help you choose the best one for your particular situation.

Once installed, your new machine will quickly become indispensable, as you discover more and more ways to incorporate it into your daily horse management.

Limited Turnout

At facilities with restricted pasture land, especially in less rural areas, a horse walker affords animals the opportunity to get out of their stalls and stretch their legs every day.

This gentle exercise prevents them from having to stand for hours in their stalls. It provides controlled, sustained movement, increases their circulation, reduces boredom (with its associated vices) and helps maintain fitness.

Bad Weather Conditions

Many barns don’t turn the horses out when it’s raining because they churn up the grass.

An exerciser, especially a covered one, is a great solution for horses that are stall-bound during poor weather. Working in a safe environment, they can get rid of excess energy that’s usually released in the field, making them better behaved under saddle.

Another benefit of the walker is that it gives the horse owner an alternative to fitness work on slippery roads during periods of rain, sleet or snow.

When Time Is Short

Sometimes an owner simply doesn’t have time to groom and tack up the horse, warm him up, ride for an hour and cool him off, then unsaddle the animal and brush him down.

It takes much less time to put him in the exerciser where he can get a good workout without his owner feeling guilty about not spending longer with him.

Working Multiple Horses

For those with more than one horse, a great advantage of the walker is its capability to exercise several animals at once.

Machines are built to accommodate between 4 and 6 horses, and exercising them together reduces the time required by barn staff to work them.

Fitness Training & Maintenance

Walk work is an important part of the initial training of horses for disciplines such as endurance or eventing. The horse exerciser is extremely useful during this phase.

Later in the program it won’t replace undulating countryside or rough terrain, but instead becomes an invaluable aid in warming up the horse before his more strenuous work and cooling him off afterwards.

Adding trot laps helps maintain fitness and keep muscles toned.

Rehabilitation

Horses coming off stall rest after an injury can be safely reintroduced to work in the controlled environment of the exerciser, rather than dragging their handler while being led on foot, or bolting and bucking under saddle.

It is a gentle way to bring them back into an exercise routine without the burden of a rider.

Once you’ve chosen the right style of horse exerciser for your barn and placed in an easily accessible location, you’ll soon wonder how you ever survived without it.

Resources & Further Information

EuroXciser

Euroxciser Advantage

Endurance Horse

Fit to Finish: Training the Endurance Horse

Endurance is “the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear” which explains why appropriate fitness is crucial in the endurance horse.

The much-coveted Best Condition award is another incentive for adequate preapration. The AERC Rules and Regulations state: “all of the first ten completing equines are eligible for consideration.”

Ideally your horse should be fit enough to complete the course and still be in great shape when he crosses the finish line.

How Long Before the Endurance Horse Is Fit?

Training for a 50 mile endurance horse ride can require twelve months or longer. Getting ready to compete in a 100 plus mile endurance horse ride or FEI (international) event takes several years. Many endurance events host 25, 50 and 100 mile distance race opportunities on race day to choose from.

Francois & Laura Seegers explain that not all parts of the horse’s anatomy become conditioned at the same rate.

The heart and lungs need 3 months, muscles take between 3 and 6 months, tendons and ligaments require 6 to 12 months, and the hooves are used to their new work after 7 months. Bone needs between 1 to 3 years to become fully acclimatized!

Knowing this encourages endurance riders to follow a slow and steady program.

Learn to Take Your Horse’s Pulse

You need to determine your horse’s recovery rate after exercise. In order to pass vet checks his heart beats per minute (bpm) will need to be within designated parameters 30 minutes after the end of exercise. This is usually around 60 – 64 bpm.

The Southeast Endurance Riders Association states that “How quickly the pulse drops after exercise is the single best indicator of fitness, and this is why endurance riders and endurance rides put such high priority on keeping track of it.”

They suggest obtaining and learning how to use a stethoscope: “To take a horse’s pulse, put the stethoscope behind and slightly above the left elbow.”

Track Your Distances

One easy way to measure the miles covered during training is to download the free app created by WoofWear especially for endurance horse riders.

Called Track My Hack this valuable tool records distance traveled and the speed and time taken. You can store this information separately for individual horses.

The Training Program

Those with access to a Horse Exerciser have a distinct advantage during endurance fitness training, as they can incorporate this time saving device into their horses’ routine throughout the program.

Weeks 1 – 6

Perseverance Stud begins their conditioning program with six weeks of walking for shod horses. They double all training durations for barefoot horses.

The goal is “To prepare the horse physically and psychologically for more intensive exercise.”

For 4 to 5 days a week the horse is walked at an active pace on the most varied terrain you can find, building up to 2 – 3 hours each session by the end of this period. The Australian Endurance Riders Association Inc. (AERA) suggest a goal of 3.0-3.75 mph walking on flat terrain during the first weeks.
If the horse is already in work before his endurance training begins, one day a week should be spent trotting the horse on the lunge or on a horse exerciser designed to accommodate that gait.
A once a week schooling day, which can include trot and canter, should also be incorporated into the program at this stage.
Towards the end of the 6 weeks, the walk sessions can include short trotting distances. The rider should be cultivating calm confidence in the horse, building to 20 minutes of total trot during the walk sessions.
The horse also needs to be worked on hills to build muscle. Once his condition allows, trot up hills but not downhill, as this puts considerable strain on the forelegs.

Weeks 7 to 12

This phase builds up the horse’s stamina as he learns to trot long distances at a constant pace, in an established rhythm. He also develops the energy-saving trot he will need for competition.

The Steegers recommend 3 to 4 workouts a week, defining workouts as ‘hard work’ in which the horse exerts greater effort than normal. His pulse will be higher than usual 20 minutes after this type of work, indicating that he has been stressed.

Begin with 15 to 20 minutes of walk to warm up, followed by alternating walk and trot.The horse should trot with his neck extended, his head low and his back rounded. This makes it easier for him to carry the rider, as well as creating increasing length and power in his strides.
The AERA gives a goal for the end of week 8 of a 9 – 10 mph average speed when riding 50% walk to 50% trot.They also suggest entering the horse into an Introductory Ride at this point, with the aim of completing it at 10 mph. Test the horse’s fitness two weeks before by completing a 20 mile trial run to ensure he copes well with it.
By week 12 the horse should be doing 2 hours of active, unbroken trot.
Include two recovery days per week.Perseverance Stud uses these days to “allow the horse to recover from the stress. Exercises you can do are twenty minute lunge sessions (ring work) at a steady trot, schooling, a gentle hack or outride, etc.”
Last, but far from least, comes one rest day a week.If the horse seems out of sorts, he’ll need more than 24 hours of rest. Horses become conditioned at different rates, and yours may need a little longer than the average.

Weeks 13 -14

This phase gets the heart and lungs fit, and the horse now learns to canter rhythmically at a constant speed – while having fun!

Over the next 14 days incorporate five canter sessions.Always begin work with walk warm-up before alternating trot and canter over short distances.Switching between these gaits will “clear lactic acid from the muscles” according to the Steegers. An excess of lactic acid causes the muscles to contract or ‘tie up,’ and in extreme cases the horse is unable to move.
Build up the length of these rides to 1 hour of alternate trot and canter, and increase to a total of 2 hours.Now is the time for your horse to learn to canter in a controlled manner with other horses. He must be able to maintain a relaxed, constant and non-competitive speed regardless of the equines around him.
Since his work is more demanding now, allow your horse 2 -4 recovery days and up to 3 rest days per week, paying close attention to his overall demeanor. A lack of energy or being ‘off’ will require more rest time.

Week 15

You are now one week away from your first endurance horse ride, so use this time to build energy reserves. The horse gets light work this week, and will need less concentrated feed.

He should then be ready for his first 25 mile race. The pace should be relaxed, taking 5 to 6 hours to complete the 40 km, depending on the terrain.

Crossing the finish line for the first time will give you a tremendous sense of achievement and make you keen to tackle your next endurance race.

Resources & Further Reading

Endurance Riding Requires Courage and Perseverance of Horse and Rider

Endurance Primer

Conditioning

Welcome to Endurance (FEI)

Endurance Riding Requires Courage and Perseverance of Horse and Rider

Tips and Hints for Endurance Riding

A Simple Method of Conditioning the Endurance Horse

The Ten Commandments of Endurance

Feeding and Training the Horse for its First Endurance Ride

For UK riders (and even from other countries!) here’s an introductory video

(And if you’re wondering what an OS map is, it stands for “Ordinance Survey” J )

AERC Endurance Riders Handbook, American Endurance Riders Conference (2003)

This handbook can be viewed online.

America’s Long Distance Challenge, Karen Paulo (1990)

Go the Distance, Nancy Loving (2006)

The Complete Guide to Endurance Riding and Competition, Donna Snyder Smith

Horse Exerciser Footing

Adding the Horse Exerciser Footing to the track is the final important step in completing your machine. In our prior Horse Exerciser Track article, we review construction considerations to develop a solid foundation for the sub base and the base of the pad to achieve proper track drainage and track support for the horses. The footing is the final construction step, and will provide your equine athletes with proper traction and impact absorption as they exerciser in the machine. There are many excellent footing options available and each offer cost and performance attributes to consider.

Performance Considerations

Impact Absorption

The purpose of the footing is to provide the appropriate impact absorption and support as a horse works around the track. Managing the footing and proper shoeing significantly reduces impact loads to the horse’s joints and ligaments. Barrey, Landjerit and Wolter studied shock and vibration at the hoof with different track surfaces, including asphalt, gavel, gravel+sand, sand, sawdust and sand with various mixes. Good performance is achieved with sand and sand with mixes of softs and is one of the most common fill materials used in Eurocisers. It also tends to be cost effective and locally available. There are a number of excellent synthetics that create good impact absorption and support – they do require greater investment.

Traction

The footing material must provide sufficient traction to give the horse hoof purchase as they exercise. The footing must provide this traction while absorbing the impact loads during the exercise. If the footing is too hard, the impact loads are not absorbed and can result in concussive injuries. If the footing gives too much (low shear force), the horse must work harder to generate movement and result in fatigue on ligaments and tendons, causing potential injuries. Over compensating for one attribute can often sacrifice the second attribute. It’s important to achieve a balance of traction and impact absorption.

Durability

The footing material will see constant use and can break down over time. It’s important to consider the maintenance cycles and useful life of your footing to get the best performance and lowest life cycle cost before replacement. As the footing breaks down, undesired side effects can form. Soft sands and sands with high silt content that drain proper when exposed to rain, can loose their porous properties as they break down, causing lack of good drainage. Worn footing can also loose some impact absorption properties. Not all sand, synthetics and softs are equal. Investigate the best choices for your track to get the best performance for your horses.

Footing Material

Synthetics

There are a number of synthetic options available on the market that provide great traction and absorption qualities. The investment cost for synthetic footing is higher than alternatives such as sand. And if the material is not available local there are additional shipping costs to consider. We recommend working directly with the specific footing manufacturer to understand the appropriate solution for your track, and get references to understand the proper set up and maintenance of the footing system you plan to invest in. We reference a number of suppliers at the end of this article.

Sand

Sand is a great footing material choice, and if specified properly, is one of the best cost and performance options available. A 3-4 inch sand depth is required for the Eurociser and sets on top of the compacted base.

The quality and type of sand varies greatly region by region – not all sand is equal. Soft sand breaks down quicker. High silt content generates more dust. Greater clay content tends to have greater silt content. Round sand does not provide the same traction properties compared to angular sand. Sand can even be categorized differently based on the region you buy it. Therefor it is important to be specific about the characteristics you want in the sand. Below are the more important characteristics to be specific about when purchasing your footing.

For starters, specify sand that meets ASTM C-33. Most quarries carry this sand grade as it’s a standard construction grade, and a common sand grade used for horse arenas. The sand size ranges .05 mm to 2 mm in size, (a fine, medium and course sand mix). The specification provides requirements for the sand mix make up and limits the amount of clay and silt within the sand.

It’s possible specify washed sand to limit the silt content and clay content further. Poor quality clay has high silt content, and silt offers no benefits. In fact, silt is the larger contributor to dust production, and washing the sand allows you to remove the majority of silt. It is worthwhile to add back a quality clay material with low silt content. The clay provides impact absorption properties and helps absorb water to keep the sand moist. The mix should be 80-90% sand, 10-20% clay.

Sand has different hardness levels based on the mineral composition. Quartz/Silica sand is more durable and the preferred choice over Mica or Feldspar type sands. Sub angular and angular sand is also recommended over round sands. The angular sand interlocks under pressure, creating better traction for the horses.

How do you confirm the sand meets the requirements / characteristics you plan to buy from the supplier? Getting references from local arenas can be helpful to see how the sand is performing. Footings Unlimited suggests a simple test by taking 2 inches of sand in a glass jar, add water several inches above the sand, mix and see how much sand falls out of solution after 1 minute. Measuring the new level of sand gives a good percentage estimate of how much of the footing is sand. The remaining soluble dirt, clay and silt stays suspended until it has time to settle. You want 80-90% of the material to be sand for your footing.

Additives

Rubber

Rubber can be added to the sand mix to further increase the impact absorption properties of the footing. Rubber from recycled tires is most readily available and offered by numerous suppliers. Make sure the rubber is clean of debris and has no foreign material (no metal). Its possible to buy rubber material produced just for horse arenas as well. It’s important to not overload the footing with rubber, or too much give is developed within the footing. The rule of thumb is to use 1-2 pound per square foot of surface area. Depending on the size of the machine, plan 1500 pounds to 3000 pounds of material.

Wood Chips and Fiber

Wood chips and fiber are also an option. Care must be taken to keep the track moist as the impact absorption is developed from the wood when it is damp. Dry wood is stiffer and breaks down quickly when the horses work on the track. Hard woods work best for durability. However, wood chips do break down quicker and require periodic replenishment maintenance cycles.

Rubber Mats

Adding a rubber mat lattice layer below the footing / above the base is a great way to build a cushion layer to the track. About 3 inches of sand footing is added on top of the mat, and sand fills the gaps of the mat. It’s important to have a secure way to keep the mats down and have drainage paths beneath the rubber mat to flush moisture through the sand and mats.

Maintenance

Your track does require maintenance. It’s important to drag and rake out the footing to re-level the material and mix materials, especially in high traffic areas. It also prevents the horses from wearing down the footing to the point where the horses are working on the base of the track. If the horses reach the base, the absorption benefit is removed, and it’s possible to break down and wear the base resulting in further track maintenance.

Maintaining the moisture level in the footing is important as it keeps the material resilient to achieve the impact absorptions properties desired. The moisture content should be maintained at 5-10% by volume (water to footing content). The moisture also keeps the dust level down as the horses work on the track. If your uncertain how to judge the moisture content, pick up a digital moisture meter like a General Tools MMD4E meter. They are on line or at your local hardware store in the irrigation supplies section for about $50. Adding a ground based sprinkler system can make managing the moisture level easier. By establishing your water cycle and understanding the moisture content results, you can simplify the water maintenance cycle of the track.

Final Comments

Reference Information

Penn State College of Agriculture – Arena Footing Material and Selection

Arena Footings: Materials, Installation and Maintenance

Footings Unlimited for Synthetic Footing Options

Premier Equestrian

Efficient Arena for Additives

Perfect Boarding Barn

What to Look For in the Perfect Boarding Barn

Keeping your equine partner at a horse boarding barn is not cheap. If the facility is poorly maintained or has an unfriendly atmosphere, you’ll be paying good money to be unhappy. But with smart investigating you can find the perfect boarding barn for you and your horse.

Take this list on your barn trips to help you ask the right questions.

Horse Care

Horses’ Appearance

Do the horses appear healthy and content?
Or are they thin and dejected?
Are any of them coughing? Do they have runny noses?

Stalls

Stall dimensions of at least 12’ x 12’ are preferable. Your horse will spend many hours in there and needs room to move around comfortably.
Are the stalls clean with enough bedding? Make sure your horse can lie down without scraping the floor and that stalls are cleaned at least once a day.
Can the horses see their neighbors? Being social creatures, horses like to see their fellow boarders.

Barn Ventilation

Is there a gap between the top of the outside walls and the roof to let air in? There should be no gaps in the walls themselves.
Does the barn let in natural light?
Is there dust in the air?

Aisles

Are the aisles free of dangerous items like pitchforks and wheelbarrows?
Are they wide enough to pass through easily?

Pasture

How large are the pastures?
Do they contain grass or are they overgrazed? If he has insufficient grass your horse will get bored and be miserable.
Are there too many horses in each field?
Are the horses compatible? Is there any fighting?
Is the fencing safe and secure? Barbed or regular wire is extremely dangerous to horses.
Is there broken fencing? This can cause injury.
Is there debris in the field? It must be clear of anything which could harm your horse.
Is there adequate shelter for horses on pasture board?

Turnout

What are the winter and summer turnout hours?
Is turnout at least 8 hours a day? (Or whatever number of hours you’d like for your horse.)
What is the inclement weather policy? Most barns don’t turn out if it’s raining. If the weather is bad for days on end, your horse will be stuck in his stall: you’ll need to exercise him more often.
What care is provided if your horse is sick?
If he’s on stall rest, will you have to pay extra? He’ll need additional stall cleaning and hay, so it’s not unreasonable to pay more, but you’ll want to know how much!

Hay

Hay is expensive: here’s where unscrupulous barn owners save money.
Is the hay of good quality? Is it musty?
Is it the right type of hay for your horse?
Are the horses given separate piles in the field to prevent bullying? Watch for bossy horses preventing the others from eating.
How much hay will your horse get daily? If you have a large horse he will need more hay than the average.

Water

Clean water must be available AT ALL TIMES!
Do the horses have 24/7 access to water in their stalls and in the field?
Is there more than one trough in the paddock, so dominant horses can’t prevent the others from drinking?
Are the water buckets and outdoor water troughs heated?
How does the barn deal with the problem of ice in winter?

Feed & Other

How often, how much, and what are the horses fed?
Can you bring your own feed? You don’t normally get a break in price if you supply your own.
Supplements and medication – Does the barn add these to the feed free of charge?
Is worming included in monthly board?
Are blankets put on and removed as necessary?
Will a staff member hold your horse for the farrier or vet? At what charge?
Security and safety – What type of insurance and security does the barn have? What insurance do you need?
Must the horses be vaccinated? Do all the horses need a negative Coggins? If the answer is ‘no’ to either question, avoid the barn at all costs!

Rider Care

Riding Facilities

Is there a riding arena? Does it have an all-weather surface?
Can it accommodate the number of boarders?
How often is it occupied by lessons? Do lesson times conflict with when you can ride?
Is the footing too deep or shallow?
Is the arena regularly graded to ensure a smooth and safe riding surface?
Are jumps available, if you need them?
Is there clutter in the arenas? Equipment left lying around is aggravating and potentially dangerous.
Are there neighboring riding trails?
Does the barn have a free style horse exerciser? This is extremely useful for those days when you can’t ride. A covered walker is even better, as it allows you to exercise your horse during inclement weather.

Storage and Bathroom Facilities

Is there a locked tack room for your saddle and bridle?
Is there storage for your other horse equipment, such as blankets and grooming kit?
Is there a restroom?

Riding Instruction

Must you use the barn’s instructor or can you bring your own?
If you have to use the barn’s instructor, watch several lessons. Is he/she the right fit for you?

Hours of Operation

What are the barn hours? Are you locked out on holidays?
Can you come late, after work?
Can you come early in the morning before work?

Ambience

Hang around the barn and soak in the atmosphere.
Is everyone friendly and welcoming?
Is this a one-discipline only barn?
You’ll feel more comfortable if some boarders ride the same discipline and at the same level as yourself.
Do the riders treat their horses with kindness and consideration?

You and your equine partner will spend a lot of time at the barn. You both need to be happy, so take your time and check out a lot of places. When you find the ideal barn, you’ll be very glad your research was so thorough – and so will your horse.

Horse Exerciser Track

Constructing the Horse Exerciser Track

The Horse Exerciser Track beneath the EuroXciser is an important feature. There are many construction options to consider prior to installing the machine. What are the required steps to build a solid track base? What material should be used for the footing? How much footing material is needed? What planned maintenance cycles are needed? Getting the track correct enables the support, traction and cushion required for your horses as they exercise in the machine. In this two part blog, we review the construction approach with the associated tradeoffs for the horse exerciser track. The steps are similar to constructing a horse arena, with the track receiving more repetitive path use. In our second blog, we review building the Horse Exerciser Footing that sets on top of the track base.

Start with a Solid Foundation

Now that you have selected the location of your EuroXciser, it’s time to build a solid foundation for the machine, with the desired quality of solid compacted ground. The picture to the right shows the general arrangement of the track, consisting of the sub base, geotextile cover, base, footing and fencing.

The initial work scope focuses on the sub base at the planned machine location. Although the horses exercise on the track, it is important to prepare the entire machine pad to achieve a consistent grade, compaction and drainage so the track performs as desired.

Scrape the organic and surface soil to expose the sub soil ground. This may vary from a few inches to 6 inches or more. The goal is to reach the sub soil / sub base ground.
Grade the sub base pad area flat – 0% grade – so the track provides an even surface for the horses to exercise on
Establish a slight grade within the static ring area to facilitate water drainage from the center.
Compact the sub base to near maximum density

The compaction should be 92-97% if using the Standard Proctor Density per ASTM D698. The soil type may vary depending on your geographic location. A licensed contractor in your area will understand this and know how to achieve a near maximum compaction based on the soil type being more granular to more cohesive. In some cases, adding material is required to improve the sub base such that it compacts properly. The end result will be similar to a unpaved road base; firm compacted ground.

During this phase, the following should also be constructed:

the drain system/drain lines for the center ring.
the electric runs from the power drop, to the planned controller and machine center.
the cement mounting pad for the machine base.

IMPORTANT: Do follow to the manufacture’s power and install requirements. Do use a licensed contractor and meet local codes and requirements. Do have the existing underground lines marked before any construction grading or trenching occurs in the planned area for safety reasons and cost of damage reasons.

If the sub base has aggregate rocks, it’s worth while to add a geotextile fabric on the track between the sub base and the base. The fabric keeps the rocks from moving up into the base and footing of the track. Once the fabric is placed, add the base material on-top. There are many options available for the base material. The overall goal again is to create a solid surface. Local material can influence the best cost options, and some common choices include (and are not limited to):

“A” gravel topped by stone dust (also known as bluestone, #10 screening, limestone screenings),
Granular “D” material,
Decomposed Granite (DG)

The base should be at least 4 inches thick, and compacted to 92-97%. Like the sub base, the base must be flat – 0% grade. The correct moisture level during the compaction process will yield a road like base. A properly constructed sub base and base will provide:

a flat track surface for the horses to exercise on
a durable surface that does not rut or sink
a stable surface to add footing to control the impact absorption qualities desired

Getting the grade and the compaction correct is key to having a solid durable track. An example of a DG base is shown to the right. Porous asphalt is also an option for the base, and creates a solid base to build your footing from. An example of a porous asphalt track is shown to the lower right.

Most manufactures suggest the machine mounting pad be constructed a certain height above the grade, such that after the final base is completed and the footing is added, the partitions are at the correct height relative to the ground. Review this information ahead of time so you can plan out the steps to meet these requirements. With the track, pad, electrics and drainage set, it’s time to install your horse exerciser machine.

In our next blog we will review choices and options for the footing to provide the right impact absorption and traction for your horses.

Horse Exerciser Purchase Considerations

What to consider when purchasing a Horse Exerciser?

This is an investment that will improve the performance and health of your horses. It opens training opportunities to build endurance base, interval strength, and rehabilitation work at prescribed speeds, durations and reverse directions. It’s also an investment into your facility, improving the value of your property, and marketability of your equine services. It’s important to consider the following during the purchase process:

Capacity you require – how many horses do you plan to exercise on this machine per day? In a given day, how many 30 minute to 1 hour sessions are you planning? Or if you are an endurance horse racer, how many 2-4 hour sessions are you planning per day? Make sure the manufacturer has built the machine for all day use, every day, common in competitive sport horse facilities. Purchase for your long term capacity plans at your facility. It’s easier to not use the capacity than not have it.
Work Plan – do you plan to walk the horses or move them through trot and canter paces? It’s important to move into larger diameter machines if you plan work sessions at trot plus gaits. The same goes for rehabilitation work – larger turn radius means less stress on your horses.
Set-up Location – The work flow of your facility is important to think about. You want easy movement from stalls to the machine and back. You may want a staging area if the stalls are further away as you move the horses through the machine. And if you have heavy rider traffic, make sure the machine location does not disrupt this flow. Power drops are also an important consideration. Many of these machines operate on single phase 220v power, and the closer the machine is located to the power drop, the less investment you must make in setting up power to the machine.
Can weather disrupt your training plans? Make sure you have well planned drainage where you locate your machine. And consider if you need to make a greater investment for a roof cover or an indoor machine if sun, heavy rain or snow will disrupt your training plans.
Be familiar with your local permitting requirements and use a local general contractor to help with your install to meet local requirements as applicable.

Understand the safety considerations the manufacture has employed in their machine. A horse exerciser machine is often a one time buy for a facility, so consider your future needs and purchase to these needs. We have worked with existing customers that underestimated their needed capacity, and later upgraded to larger machines, and even add additional machines. When purchasing a machine, we recommend keeping the following in mind:

Buy a machine with an in-line drive train without belts or chains. We get requests to replace other manufacture’s bases to our set-up to eliminate reliability problems associated with belt drive and chain drive systems. Stick with motor/geared systems in your purchase requirements.
Quick support for service. The machine becomes an integral part of the facility work activities and it’s important to get quick response for service needs.
Reliability and outdoor use design considerations the manufacturer has incorporated into their machine

Horse Exercisers never replace good horsemanship and the real need for riding and training your horses for competition. A horse exerciser is an extremely useful training aid to build endurance conditioning, improve health and wellness and help with rehabilitation and recovery of your horses. And the benefits can be achieved by your trainer over a larger group of horses, without large labor investments in riders. Horse Exercisers are true time savers and help you meet your training goals with your competitive horses.

What are the Benefits of a Horse Exerciser over a Horse Walker?

Horse Walkers are staple training machines used at equestrian facilities. The machine tethers the horses to overhead beams, and carousel the horses in a circle. Many of the Walkers are 20-30′ in diameter, and larger models go past 60′ in diameter with up to 6+ horse capacities. The Walkers are useful and allow walking gait exercise. The machines have a relatively low purchase and install costs, making them an attractive training aid for equestrian facilities. The limitation relates to speed work and and restricted movement.

Horse Exercisers are an improved training aid when compared to Horse Walkers. The Exercisers operate without the horses tethered to the machine. This allows natural movement from walk, trot and through canter gaits. Eliminating the tethered connection between the horse and machine creates a few more benefits; namely, the horses’ can’t pull on the restraints to stall the machine or break loose from the machine. Without horses to tug on arms, the horse exerciser machine diameters can increase significantly, allowing less turning stress, making the machines ideal for rehabilitation work and faster speed training.

WINTER TRAINING TIPS

Horse Exercise Winter Training Tips

Winter is on the horizon. This is not always the best time for horses to exercise and ride. You might see this as a good time for you and your horse to hibernate indoors, enjoy the holidays and relax. Planning some time for fitness and exercise will help your horse retain some muscle tone and endurance, minimizing risks for injuries in the more accommodating spring weather.

Surfaces

One of the disadvantages to exercising outdoors in the wintertime is that ground surfaces can be uneven. This gives your horse more opportunity to strain tendons and muscles as you ride. Spending less time on your horse lowers the chances of muscle strain, but riding less can minimize exercise and cause a loss in muscle tone. Stick to locations with a reliable footing surface to lessen the risk without taking fitness out of the equation.

Exercising Without Riding

Using a horse exerciser is one way to ensure that horses get enough physical exercise to prevent loss of muscle tone and strength during the winter months. While many horses are given time off in the wintertime because there are no shows or upcoming competitions, it’s still important for them to stay physically fit. Letting them stay in the stable and eat hay may be relaxing, but it will require extra efforts come springtime. A daily exercise routine without riding can do just that.

Inclement Weather

If cooler temperatures and poor weather conditions due to precipitation happen more often than not, you may wish to keep your horse indoors or in a protected area. Providing ample warmth and an opportunity to get exercise to walk or run and stay warm and dry are also options, however. Using an indoor arena during the winter months can prevent outdoor discomfort for your horse, as well as for the trainer, while keeping those extra pounds at bay.

Daylight

Limited time availability during daylight hours can also put a damper on winter exercise. Set a consistent routine for your horse to have ground training and exercise, even when you’re not available to ride or the weather isn’t cooperating.

For horses that have a minimal exercise routine during the winter months, it’s important that they receive a body conditioning score before planning out their springtime workouts. Finding out what its needs are can help you create a balanced plan that will help in conditioning and achieving the proper weight for shows and competitions.