Now that the competition season is well underway, we know lots of our followers will be looking ahead and planning out the next six months. One challenge that riders at every level face is keeping their horse healthy, happy and sound for the long term.
A key element of that is creating a fitness plan (and sticking to it). From there, it becomes about maintaining that fitness, while also allowing time for rest and recovery in between intense exercise and competition. In this month’s blog, we’re taking a closer look at the benefits of the water treadmill for fitness and during the competition season.
Why the water treadmill is a great tool for horse fitness and wellbeing
If you’re wondering why people take the time to box up and travel their horses to use a water treadmill, rather than just opting for a quick lunge or hack, the answer is simple – there are lots of reasons. Here’s a rundown of why it’s such a valuable addition to a horse’s routine:
- The resistance of the water provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, making it ideal for both building fitness and maintaining it.
- It offers a great opportunity to see your horse moving and assess their topline, without a saddle blocking the view or the weight of the rider on board.
- The buoyancy of the water helps protect their legs and feet from jarring – far kinder than doing walk work on the roads.
- Cool water immersion causes vasoconstriction in the blood vessels and lymphatic system, which can help reduce oedema and swelling.
- The pressure on the lower legs from being immersed in water (known as hydrostatic pressure) acts as a natural compression mechanism, helping to improve circulation.
- It provides straight-line work, which is often preferable to working in circles on a horse walker or in the lunge pen.
- The water treadmill has also been shown to improve stride length and, depending on the depth of the water, can support topline development.
Beyond the physical benefits, there are mental advantages too. If your training-particularly during winter and early spring-is confined to a school, a visit to the treadmill offers a welcome change of scenery. Horses can easily become bored when working in the same environment day after day, so a trip out gives them something different to engage with.
The importance of a clear fitness plan (and sticking to it!)
While it can be tempting to skip a session when it’s dark, cold and generally miserable outside, winter and early spring training is vital. Not only does it set you up for success in competition, but it also helps your horse cope with the demands of the season and stay sound and well.
A horse that is fit and strong is far better equipped to handle the stresses of training. They are less likely to tire, which reduces the risk of mistakes that could lead to injury. Stronger muscles support the joints and can help protect connective tissue when horses are working hard and competing regularly.
If you’re looking for a highly effective way to build fitness, we offer a combination of 30 minutes on the gallops followed by a water treadmill session. This allows you to train faster work on the gallops before giving your horse an excellent cool down and stretch on the treadmill.
Rest and active recovery during the competition season
Any human athlete will tell you how important rest is during the season. Our bodies need time to recover from exertion, build muscle and reset mentally between training and competition. Our horses are no different, so it’s important to give them time to ‘be a horse’ alongside their work.
That includes at least one day of turnout to graze and move freely, but ideally also incorporating some form of active rest. This might look like turnout combined with time on the horse walker, or a gentle hack under saddle. The water treadmill is another excellent option for active recovery. It gives horses the chance to stretch, move freely and ease any stiffness following harder work or competition days. Many of our clients book a session the day after competing for exactly this reason!
An offer to support your horse’s fitness this season
If this blog has inspired you to bring your horse along for water treadmill sessions, we have an offer that might catch your eye. When you pay for five water treadmill sessions at Thorpe Farm, you’ll receive one free. That’s six full sessions for £200 (£240 including VAT), just note that all the six sessions must be completed within six months of your first visit and paid for at the time of booking your first session.