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Expert
Posts: 1477
  
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | I bought one a few years ago with the intentions of using it to help keep my horses in shape when I couldn't ride. I've only used it a handful of times because I know it pulls a lot of electricity and several people convinced me it didn't really accomplish anything. What's everyone else's thoughts? |
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 Veteran
Posts: 158
| I use mine mainly to begin warming up or cooling out multiple horses. If I work all six of ours it would take me forever to warm up, exercise, then cool down each horse. I still do a mini warm up and cool down under saddle but the walker helps me a lot. I wouldn't use it as my sole exercise routine but it is definitely better than nothing. I should also add mine is slightly deep sand so more resistance than just walking on packed ground. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I seen them use for cooling down horses if someone is riding more then a few and needs to move on to the next, or for just getting them out of their stalls if the weather is to bad to be riding so at least they get out and move and not just setting..And SWINGS my uncle used to put swings on his for us kids, I remember we had a blast on them, lol.. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| On days I am not able to ride I use my walker. I let my horse warm up at a walk for a few min and bump up the speed to a steady trot for 20-30 min. Often switching directions in between. Does it do as much as a saddled ride, probably not but it def is working their muscles. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I know the sale preppers rely heavily on them. Those babies are gawwwjus. So I think it just depends on how it's used. |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Anything (or any form of exercise) is better than standing in a stall....so yes, they do have a use. But if you are lazy and want to rely on one for all of their exercise, then no...... |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | About half of our lot is deep cinder sand. I would love to have a hot walker in there for the days I don't ride. |
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 JMHO
Posts: 1869
Location: Oklahoma | I love mine and use mine a lot. Warm up and cool down. I saddle the ones I'm going to ride and start them walk/jogging while I ride. Then I just go to the next pony. I have a mare that's only sound for light riding so I hook her up to it too. They are warmed up and ready to think and work, not nearly as fresh. I keep a bb gun handy too. |
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Sparklin Cowgirl
Posts: 4379
| I like to use mine for a warm up when I ride, just get them moving around on days off, and for cooling off after a ride. They are also great "thinking posts" for young horses. Mine is really tall at the tips so there is nothing for them to rub on or thump on. It also works as a glorified drying rack after bath time. |
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