The Science of Fitness

The NOVA Equine Fitness Center invested in equipment that not everyone is familiar with and compiled multi-use packages for equestrians to reap the most benefits for their equine partners. But, since this is the first facility of its type in the region, some may be a bit skeptical that this equipment offers benefits FOR EVERY RIDDEN HORSE, so we've compiled a few resources to explore, explain, and and exemplify the benefits.

Did you know? A 30-minute brisk walk with water just over the carpus is the cardio-vascular and muscle development equivalent of a 5-mile gallop [in a low-impact, time-efficient, heated/AC space].

Water Treadmill Resources

Conditioning Horses on Water Treadmills
Thoroughbreds conditioned on water treadmills increased VO2max by 16% and speed by 17.4%.

Conditioning equine athletes on water treadmills significantly improves peak oxygen consumption
Water treadmill increased both peak oxygenation and speed whereas dry treadmill did not.

Effect of underwater treadmill exercise on postural sway in horses with experimentally induced carpal joint osteoarthritis
Underwater treadmill exercise significantly improved the horses' postural stability

Biomechanical responses of the back of riding horses to water treadmill exercise
At increasing water depths, there were significant increases in flexion and rotation of the back. At the highest water levels, there was reduced bending of the back. After 10 days, horses exhibited more bending of the back.

Workload of horses on a water treadmill: effect of speed and water height on oxygen consumption and cardiorespiratory parameters
Varying water height and speed affects the workload associated with WT exercise. The conditions utilized in this study were associated with low intensity exercise. Water height had a greater impact on exercise intensity than speed.

The Use of the Water Treadmill for the Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Sport Horse
Exercise on a water treadmill has come to have great relevance in rehabilitation and training centers for sport horses.

Effect of water depth on amount of flexion and extension of joints of the distal aspects of the limbs in healthy horses walking on an underwater treadmill
Exercise on an underwater treadmill is useful for increasing the range of motion of various joints of horses during rehabilitation and that the depth of water affects the amount of flexion and extension of joints.

Water depth modifies back kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise
Walking in high water causes cranial thoracic extension and thoracolumbar flexion when compared with walking in water at hoof depth. This postural change should be considered when designing rehabilitation programs for horses with back and/or hindlimb pathology.

Whole Body 3D Vibrating Plate Resources

Whole body vibration affects the cross-sectional area and symmetry of the m. multifidus of the thoracolumbar spine in the horse
Improved size and symmetry of equine back muscles. Whole body vibration (WBV) has been used as an adjunctive therapy to improve the strength and size of paraspinal muscles as well as postural control.

Effect of two months whole body vibration on hoof growth rate in the horse: A pilot study
Results indicate that whole body vibration can be used as a non-invasive, safe and non labor-intensive therapeutic modality to accelerate hoof growth in the horse.