Water Treadmill 101: Preparing Your Horse for Their First Session
Image courtesy of Equine Therapy International - https://equinetherapyint.com/2017/11/03/underwater-treadmills/
Introducing your horse to a water treadmill can be a fantastic way to boost fitness, improve strength, and support recovery. However, preparing your horse for their first session is essential to ensure they feel comfortable and confident in this new environment. By following a few simple steps and working closely with an equine physiotherapist, you can make the experience positive and effective while helping your horse acclimate to this new form of exercise.
1. Understand What to Expect During the First Session
The first water treadmill session focuses on introducing your horse to the equipment and allowing them to acclimatize to the environment. It’s important to start slowly and keep expectations realistic, as water treadmill work is a unique form of exercise that can fatigue horses quickly.
What to Expect on Day One:
Your horse will be guided onto the treadmill and allowed to walk without water to get used to the surface.
Water is gradually introduced to a suitable depth, allowing the horse to experience the added resistance.
Sessions are kept short—usually between 5 and 10 minutes—as horses often tire quickly with this new type of exercise. The focus is on ensuring your horse remains comfortable and confident.
2. Prepare Your Horse Mentally
Horses thrive on familiarity, so taking steps to prepare them mentally can reduce stress and make the experience smoother.
Desensitization Training: Practice walking your horse through narrow spaces, over mats, or on different surfaces to mimic the sensation of stepping onto the treadmill.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm behavior with treats or praise to build their confidence during new experiences.
Calm Handling: Work with professionals who prioritize calm, patient handling to ensure your horse feels secure throughout the process.
3. Ensure Physical Readiness
Before beginning water treadmill work, it’s essential to have your horse assessed by an equine physiotherapist. They can evaluate your horse’s current fitness level, identify any physical limitations, and determine the most appropriate starting point for the program.
Physiotherapist Supervision: A physiotherapist should be present during the first session to assess your horse’s response and adjust the water level, treadmill speed, and session duration to suit their individual needs.
Progressive Adaptation: Your horse’s program will evolve over time, starting with short sessions and gradually increasing as they build strength and confidence.
4. Schedule Sessions Strategically
Water treadmill sessions should be carefully integrated into your horse’s overall training or rehabilitation routine to maximize their benefits.
Start with Short Sessions: In the initial phase, keep sessions brief (5–10 minutes) to allow your horse to acclimate without fatigue.
Frequency Recommendations: Begin with 1–2 sessions per week and adjust based on your horse’s response and recovery.
Plan for Recovery: Allow adequate rest days between sessions to help your horse recover and adapt to the new exercise.
The Importance of Starting Slow
It’s essential to remember that the first few water treadmill sessions will be kept short because horses can fatigue quickly when exposed to this new form of resistance-based exercise. Fatigue typically sets in after 5–10 minutes, especially for horses new to the modality. Pushing them beyond this point in the early stages can lead to overexertion or even flare up existing injuries. Keeping sessions brief ensures that your horse builds strength and confidence progressively without risking setbacks.
Why Water Treadmill Work is Worth the Effort
Water treadmill sessions provide a low-impact, high-benefit workout that builds strength, enhances joint mobility, and improves overall fitness. By preparing your horse mentally and physically and working closely with an equine physiotherapist, you’re setting them up for success and ensuring they get the most out of this innovative therapy.
Ready to Add Water Treadmill Work to Your Horse’s Routine?
Preparing your horse for their first water treadmill session is the first step toward improved strength, mobility, and fitness. As an equine physiotherapist, I can help assess your horse and design a tailored program that incorporates water treadmill sessions safely and effectively. Contact me today to learn how water treadmill work can support your horse’s performance and recovery goals.