Water Treadmill

How does a water treadmill help?

Many of the vets and physios we work with recognise the benefits of the water treadmill. Whether for rehabilitation or fitness and conditioning, it’s ideal for helping improve strength and muscle tone, and complementing the horse’s daily fitness routine.

Rehabilitation benefits

It can be used to aid recovery from kissing spine surgery, fractured pelvis, tendon injuries, weight issues, laminitis and bruised feet. It can also help re-establish stride pattern after injuries, reduce recovery time and enhance joint flexibility and suppleness.

Fitness and conditioning benefits 

If you’re working your horse on the way to winning results, the treadmill can help strengthen its core and saddle area, improve its top line and lengthen its stride. It can also help refine its shoulders, increase its use of hind leg movement and improve lateral flexion.

How our equine water treadmill works

The water provides both support and resistance to make the horse work harder without putting too much strain on its joints, tendons and bones. 

It encourages the horse to take the weight off its front legs, ‘sit behind’ and drive with its hind legs instead. This forces the horse to take bigger, longer steps than it would on land. The cold water also helps cool and massage the lower limbs while the horse is working, to boost circulation and strengthen the joints and muscles, making it an excellent choice for horses recovering from leg injuries. 

We use a variety of speeds and depths to assist your horse – depending on its work or rehabilitation programme. Our equine water treadmill can help rehabilitate your horse and aid its recovery. It makes hand-walking safe and controlled. Each horse is worked as required, depending on its injury or fitness level.

It’s completely bespoke – the water depth, belt speed and exercise time will all be tailored to your horse’s needs, for optimal effectiveness and results. 

Freddie and Rich have a vast amount of knowledge and expertise gained through working with a range of specialists and performance vets. The treadmill is only as good as its drivers, which is why we only have experienced drivers working for us.