Water Treadmill
“Our FMBs water Treadmill offers the highest level of safety features available. Whether your horse or pony is rehabbing from an injury, increasing fitness levels or on a weight loss journey the benefits are endless.”
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Aqua Therapy
Water Treadmill use has been proven to increase cardiovascular activity, fitness, straightness, suppleness, stride length, muscle tone, core stability, joint flexion and range and ligament and tendon strength. Combining this with the use of cold water to decrease inflammation, swelling and pain but increase the resistance and exercise intensity. Offering a natural, non-concussive, whole body work out.
Water Treadmill Induction Session £45
Routine Water Treadmill Session £30
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Controlled Exercise
We have the ability to fully control the speed, water height and incline of the treadmill. This is vitally important for the safety of all equines and handlers. It also allows us to make each session individual, whether we are replicating hand walking or anaerobic activity.
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Incline Function
We can also use the treadmill ‘dry’ and on an incline, replicating hill work, to activate their hind end, increase heart rate and aid in weight loss
FAQs
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We understand that the first time on the Water Treadmill can feel a bit daunting so we offer an hour long induction slot to take things at your horses pace. We will allow your horse to settle in the new environment and go through their history. We then bandage their tail up and pick out their hooves, like we do for every session, and allow them to walk straight through the treadmill a few times. Once they are confident in walking through we will then ask them to stand still on it, again with all the doors open, then they go in without you leading them (you will walk up the steps onto the platform) and we close the doors. We don’t move onto the next step until your horse is happy and confident. Once the doors are closed we start the treadmill belt moving, after a few minutes and once they are walking confidently forward we then add in a small amount of water, usually only up to the top of their hooves. We then allow them to walk for approximately 5 minutes with the water before pumping the water back out again, once all the water has gone we then stop the treadmill and let them out. The average time that they are on the treadmill is usually around 10-14 minutes but we find this is long enough for their first time. For routine sessions we increase the time and water height depending on their fitness, previous injury and how they are coping.
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If you can bring something to give you a little bit more control for their first visit, their bridle will be fine or whatever they are used to, we wont always use it but its useful to have just in case. We always have a selection of horse treats but if there is something they really like then bring that along with them too. If you can also make sure that their legs and hooves are as clean as practically possible please.
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Unfortunately there are a few injuries that the treadmill is not beneficial for. If your horse has ever had an issue with their DDFT or Meniscal tears then they cannot use the treadmill. Acute suspensory issues should wait until their vet is happy that they are in the chronic phase before using the treadmill. If you have any questions about your horse or pony please get in touch and one of our team can advise you.
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To really see the benefits, its recommended that your horse has 1 - 2 sessions per week, we understand that this can be a big commitment so we work together to make a plan for you and your horses individual needs, availability and budget.