29/08/2024
Interesting research into the long term affects of the use of water treadmills with horses
Interesting new paper about long term effects of water treadmills, authored by a few of my fantastic Hartpury colleagues. Open access via Animals
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/16/2393
Summary:
Water treadmill (WT) exercise is popular for cross-training of sport horses. The nature of the horseโs adaptation to WT exercise could be influenced by the type of session used and how often it is conducted. The studyโs aim was to compare the gait characteristics of 48 sport horses during a standardised WT exercise test (WTSET) at the start, i.e., โweek 0โ, and after 20 and 40 weeks of WT exercise incorporated within their normal training programme. Horses were recruited from the existing client populations of two commercial water treadmill venues for the purpose of this longitudinal, observational study. Measurements of limb, back, poll, wither, and pelvic movement were taken during the WTSET at weeks 0, 20, and 40. Compared to week 0, the results showed changes in gait characteristics during the WTSET at weeks 20 and 40 that reflected adaptation to walking in water, including increased protraction and decreased retraction of the fore and hind limbs. Kinematic responses were primarily dependent upon water depth, but previous experience of the horses with WT exercise, the number of WT exercise sessions carried out per month, and the type of the WT exercise session used during training with respect to speed and depth used were also influential. The WT session design and frequency of use can influence the nature of the kinematic responses to water walking seen over time, suggesting that WT exercise sessions within a normal sport horse training programme could be designed in accordance with specific training goals.
