Here at Peasebrook Equine Clinic we are fortunate to have a three phase Equi-Tred treadmill. It allows us to provide very controlled exercise programs to our rehab patients. The horses can walk and trot either on the flat or on an incline. The treadmill is also used by clients on a walk-in basis to build-up strength or enhance the “walk” in a dressage horse for example. Usually a horse will take one session to learn the ropes, and get coordinated on the treadmill. As you will see from the videos below, the treadmill is very safe as the horse is enclosed.

The horse is lead onto the treadmill in a bridle for control. Tendon and overreach boots are worn for protection.

This horse is working in a good trot rhythm on the flat.

This video shows the treadmill incline being increased. This is well tolerated by horses. Walking and trotting on an incline is great exercise for patients with sacro-iliac weakness or those suffering from locking stifles to build-up hindlimb strength.

The view front the front of the treadmill shows how the horse is essentially driven using the reins. You can just see the breast bar which keeps the horse from advancing too far forward and the front cage door.

Controlling the horse with the reins ensures that we keep the horse in a correct outline so that muscles are being worked correctly. This is one of the advantages of the treadmill over horse walker exercise.

This short clip shows controlled trot work which is brilliant for developing symmetrical hindlimb musculature. We prefer a dry treadmill over a water treadmill having used both systems for many years. The reason is that if you consider what it is like to walk through water, the effort is in advancing or pushing your legs through the water. The same is true for a horse obviously. For equine athletes we need them to have most strength in the muscles that pull them forwards rather than those worked pushing through water.

If you are interested in sending us a horse for rehab work or want to use the system on a walk-in basis, please call the Clinic on 01386 853884 to discuss how we can help.