Q: What is the difference between a hot walker and a horse exerciser?
A: Equine professionals who walk horses are called hot walkers. However, where it comes to mechanical walkers, the terms “hot walker” and “horse exerciser” are used interchangeably.
Q: Do horses need to be exercised every day?
A: Yes! No matter their age or fitness level, daily exercise is vital for horse fitness, helping to build muscle, avoid injury, reduce stress, and improve overall health.
Q: How often should a horse be exercised?
A: The frequency of exercise will depend on the horse’s age, current level of fitness, and disposition. It also depends on what your horse is being trained for.
Q: What types of horses benefit most from using a horse exerciser?
A: Horse exerciser benefits extend to all horses. They can be used as horse conditioning and controlled training equipment for equine athletes, and they can be used in horse rehabilitation for injured horses. Both small and large horses can benefit from professional horse exercisers.
Q: How long do you put a horse in a horse walker for?
A: Typically the amount of time a horse should be placed in a walker is 15 minutes in each direction. However, this can vary according to the type of conditioning program. The amount of time for rehabilitating horses with hot walkers can be 10 minutes or less, where conditioning horses may require sessions as long as 60 minutes. Young horses can benefit from horse walkers too.
Q: What does a horse exerciser do?
A: A horse exerciser is a motorized device that guides horses to walk in a circular or oval pattern. These devices help to improve equestrian performance, help horses recovering from injuries, and assist with training horses.
Q: What are the benefits of a horse walker?
A: The benefits of a horse walker are numerous and far-reaching for both horse and rider. This device does not require the weight and strain of a rider, which helps horses recover faster following physical activity.
Vitafloor walkers have a control box, which offers equine professionals complete speed control. This allows for the rehabilitation of the injured horse, as well as maximum speed for conditioned horses and training horses. Exercisers help warm up muscles for reduced risk of injury prior to riding and help the horse’s body recover and cool down gradually afterward.
Our equestrian products are manufactured to high safety standards and feature safe fencing to offer your equine partner a high level of quality and security. They can be used for several purposes, including strength training and horse rehabilitation, providing maximum cost savings.
Q: How do I choose the right size horse exerciser for my stable or farm?
A: This depends on whether you’re training horses, conditioning, or rehabilitating them. It also depends on the number of horses you have and your budget. If you have multiple horses, the Q-Line Professional Horse Exerciser Type LBE can accommodate up to eight horses at a time. In contrast, the Type HE exerciser is suitable for smaller farms, as it accommodates up to six horses. The FlexRciseR offers a complete roof, enclosure, and exerciser, and our ceiling-mounted exercisers are ideal for existing structures. Some walkers are panel walkers, which place horses between panels without any attachments. Others are lead walkers, which attach horses to the walker by a lead. Free walkers like the FlexRciseR allow horses to walk in separate cages.
Q: Are horse exercisers the best exercise for race horses?
A: The best type of exercise for any horse will depend on their disposition. Many horse professionals have found they must gradually increase exposure to exercisers until the horse feels comfortable. Otherwise, exercisers can be used by horse owners to train and exercise racehorses because their speeds can allow for trotting and cantering.
Q: Do horse exercisers help horses with injuries?
A: Yes! Horse exercisers have helped adult horses regain their range of motion, prevent injury, and reduce back pain. In fact, they are used by horse professionals to provide physical therapy, resistance training, and more.
Q: How do horse exercisers help horses recover from injuries?
A: Equine professionals use horse exercisers to aid in injury recovery and reduce risk of injury as they benefit overall health without the need to walk on uneven ground or carry a rider, which can slow recovery and risk further injury. Exercisers also help injured horses and horses on box rest to recover through the use of control boxes. Direct drive motors provide an ideal exercise solution with smooth, guided movement in reversible directions. Injured horses can achieve stronger bones, improved blood circulation, optimal body weight, and improved cardiovascular systems when using exercisers several times a week.
Q: Are horse exercisers safe for use in all weather conditions?
A: Yes; both the Q-Line Type HE and LBE include an optional partial roof for training in all weather. Enclosures are available for all of our ground-standing walkers. For existing structures, we also offer ceiling-mounted horse exerciser installation. The FlexRciseR oval exerciser is available as a full structure and exerciser. Horse exerciser safety extends to all parts, which are galvanized, and includes emergency stop features.
Q: How do I maintain and clean the horse exerciser?
A: All of the horse exercisers available from Vitafloor feature hot dipped and galvanized parts or parts made of robust steel. All that’s needed for maintenance is to either spray or wipe down enclosures, push fences, and push gates.
Q: Do you offer financing options or payment plans for purchasing an exerciser?
A: Yes! Contact us here, and one of our knowledgeable staff members will be happy to help.