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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
  
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I've always wondered if hot wanders are worth it. How helpful are they? I see a lot of them, and they are almost never being used. Are they just another toy that's overrated and under used? I sure see lots of them for sale. We've talked about getting one.
I'd love to hear your opinions, experiences, and advice. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
  
Location: sunny california | they are pretty great if you have lots to ride that are not on pasture. you can put them on for 30 minutes before and after you ride. that way they are cooling off while you are putting rides on others. walking is good for them if they are penned up. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Are they worth it? Do they really help that much with conditioning?
We are riding 6 horses, so not that many. Between the two of us, we probably ride all of them 5 days a week when I'm home, on the average, unless it's muddy, etc.. I'm gone between 5-10 days a month, otherwise we have all the time in the world. |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| We thought that having one would be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Got one and never, not even once used it. When we moved we took it with us but it just sat out in the hedge row until we sold it.
I do know of some trainers that but them on one before and after they ride, but for the average person I'd say no, not worth it unless you get a really good deal on one. |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | We do use ours on a regular basis. Definitely helpful conditioning and holding the condition on a horse that is ready to run. Any day we don't ride a particular horse they go on for at least 30 minutes. 10 minutes walking, 20 minutes extended long trot and then another 10 walking to cool down. For sure it gets used more in the winter time then the rest of the year. |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | We do use ours on a regular basis. Definitely helpful conditioning and holding the condition on a horse that is ready to run. Any day we don't ride a particular horse they go on for at least 30 minutes. 10 minutes walking, 20 minutes extended long trot and then another 10 walking to cool down. For sure it gets used more in the winter time then the rest of the year. As someone else mentioned great for warm up and cool out when you have many to ride. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Lula Bell got one for her graduation gift, and it's been a blessing since she's started college. When she can't ride, Dakota and Peek get put on the hot walker. She loves hers. |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | I got one cant wait for it to be put up. I bought used Dr. Hornas told me last year to walk my horse 45 mins a day when he was hurt. That did a lot! just walking! I wish I would of had a walker then. I work nights and have two horses sometimes I cant ride both of them so Im gonna put one on walker while I ride and switch out. I know this will save me some time! |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | As far as walking goes, I will say that when I was legging my horse up after 6 months off we did a lot of trail riding which was a lot of walking. Like 2-10 miles increasing as he got more in shape. And it was partially the warmer weather plus his winter coat but he was sweaty and out of shape just WALKING. I think it's an important part of a horse's routine. I also read an article that the muscles in a horse's back will get larger as they warm up (duh--blood circulation). The article was stating how it would be ideal to warm up the horse before saddling because of this. Just some interesting facts. I'd like to think that I would use mine if I had one. |
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Veteran
Posts: 234
| I had a hot walker years ago and hated it a lot of the horses would stop and either make the belt slip of or burn the belt up so very rarely used it. 7 years ago I purchased a free style exerciser with the hang down dividers and LOVE it. You choose the speed and how often it reverses it self so the horses go both ways. We have found it great to use on colts after the first few saddles it helps teach them to turn around with a saddle on. GREAT company to work with |
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 Very Important Person
Posts: 5682
Location: South MS | I have one and, when I was riding, used it every day - either to warm up or cool down horses. Since I work full time, it cut down on the time I needed to use to cool one off. Made horse life a lot easier! Now I just use it to cool down the broodmare after chasing her around the pasture to be caught........
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Ours have lead ropes attached to the arms now with cinches attached to the leads.
One lead on either side of the cinch buckle.
Makes a great swing and is perfect for those old cinches that need a new job.  |
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