FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Consensus for the General Use of Equine Water Treadmills for...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(2); doi: 10.3390/ani11020305

Consensus for the General Use of Equine Water Treadmills for Healthy Horses.

Abstract: Water treadmill exercise has become popular in recent years for the training and rehabilitation of equine athletes. In 2019, an equine hydrotherapy working group was formed to establish what was commonly considered to be best practice in the use of the modality. This article describes the process by which general guidelines for the application of water treadmill exercise in training and rehabilitation programmes were produced by the working group. The guidelines describe the consensus reached to date on (1) the potential benefits of water treadmill exercise, (2) general good practice in water treadmill exercise, (3) introduction of horses to the exercise, (4) factors influencing selection of belt speed, water depth and duration of exercise, and (5) monitoring movement on the water treadmill. The long-term goal is to reach a consensus on the optimal use of the modality within a training or rehabilitation programme. Collaboration between clinicians, researchers and experienced users is needed to develop research programmes and further guidelines regarding the most appropriate application of the modality for specific veterinary conditions.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-01-26 PubMed ID: 33530300PubMed Central: PMC7912478DOI: 10.3390/ani11020305Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article is about the development of best practice guidelines for using water treadmill exercise for horses as agreed upon by a working group.

Introduction and Background

  • The paper discusses a growing interest in water treadmill exercises for training and rehabilitating horses. This modality is increasingly recognized for its potential benefits in equine health and performance.
  • In response to the need for standardized guidance, a working group of hydrotherapy professionals was established in 2019 in order to create a set of best practices for using water treadmills with horses.

Development of Guidelines

  • The working group’s mission was to research and define a consensus on the optimal use of water treadmills, both in a training scenario and a rehabilitation program.
  • The article outlines the process the group followed to develop these general guidelines, taking into account the views and experiences of the group members.

Contents of the Guidelines

  • The guidelines generated by the working group included topics such as potential benefits of water treadmill exercise, best practices, introduction of horses to the modality, deciding factors for belt speed, water depth, and duration of exercise and monitoring horse movement during the exercise.
  • The consensus on these topics was developed over time and after thorough discussions and research within the working group.

Future Goals

  • The long-term objective of this initiative is to refine and further define the consensus regarding the use of this exercise modality in diverse scenarios and specific veterinary conditions.
  • This necessitates ongoing collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and users who have a wealth of practical experience. The working group advocates for continued research and the development of additional guidelines related to the application of water treadmill exercise for different veterinary conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Nankervis K, Tranquille C, McCrae P, York J, Lashley M, Baumann M, King M, Sykes E, Lambourn J, Miskimmin KA, Allen D, van Mol E, Brooks S, Willingham T, Lacey S, Hardy V, Ellis J, Murray R. (2021). Consensus for the General Use of Equine Water Treadmills for Healthy Horses. Animals (Basel), 11(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020305

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Nankervis, Kathryn
  • Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Tranquille, Carolyne
  • Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
McCrae, Persephone
  • Range Animal Science, Office 105, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 79832, USA.
York, Jessica
  • Moulton College, West Street, Moulton, Northamptonshire NN3 7RR, UK.
Lashley, Morgan
  • Sport Horse Health Plan, Jan van Beierenlaan 88, 3445 VV Woerden, The Netherlands.
Baumann, Matthias
  • Tränkgasse 4, D-83512 Wasserburg, Germany.
King, Melissa
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Sykes, Erin
  • Hong Kong Jockey Club, Obe Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.
Lambourn, Jessica
  • Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Miskimmin, Kerry-Anne
  • Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Allen, Donna
  • Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire CV35 9BL, UK.
van Mol, Evelyne
  • Move to Balance, Terheidedreef 50, 2900 Schoten, Belgium.
Brooks, Shelley
  • Langdale Equine, Langdale Farm, Park Lane, Ramsden Heath, Billericay CM11 1NN, UK.
Willingham, Tonya
  • Equine Rebalance Therapy Centre, Wellington Riding, Basingstoke Road, Hook, Heckfield, Hampshire RG27 0LJ, UK.
Lacey, Sam
  • Moulton College, West Street, Moulton, Northamptonshire NN3 7RR, UK.
Hardy, Vanessa
  • Brooksby Melton College, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 7JE, UK.
Ellis, Julie
  • Department of Nursing, Arden University, Arden House, Middlemarch Park, Coventry CV3 4JF, UK.
Murray, Rachel
  • Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7NN, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 23 references
  1. Tranquille C, Tacey JB, Walker VA, Nankervis K, Murray RC. International Survey of Equine Water Treadmills—Why, When, and How?. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2018;69:34–42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.05.220google scholar: lookup
  2. Greco-Otto P, Bond S, Sides R, Bayly W, Leguillette R. Conditioning equine athletes on water treadmills significantly improves peak oxygen consumption. Vet. Rec. 2020;186:250.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.104684pmc: PMC7057798pubmed: 31511399google scholar: lookup
  3. Mendez-Angulo JL, Firshman AM, Groschen DM, Kieffer PJ, Trumble TN. 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. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2013;74:557–566.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.74.4.557pubmed: 23531063google scholar: lookup
  4. McCrae P, Bradley M, Rolian C, Léguillette R. Water height modifies forelimb kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2021;17:91–98.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP200013google scholar: lookup
  5. Mooij M, Jans W, Heijer GD, De Pater M, Back W. Biomechanical responses of the back of riding horses to water treadmill exercise. Vet. J. 2013;198:e120–e123.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.045pubmed: 24360735google scholar: lookup
  6. Nankervis K, Finney P, Launder L. Water depth modifies back kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise. Equine Vet. J. 2015;48:732–736.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12519pubmed: 26502104google scholar: lookup
  7. King MR, Haussler KK, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Ii RFR. Effect of underwater treadmill exercise on postural sway in horses with experimentally induced carpal joint osteoarthritis. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2013;74:971–982.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.74.7.971pubmed: 23802668google scholar: lookup
  8. King MR, Haussler KK, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Reiser RF, Frisbie DD, Werpy NM. Biomechanical and histologic evaluation of the effects of underwater treadmill exercise on horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis of the middle carpal joint. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2017;78:558–569.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.5.558pubmed: 28441054google scholar: lookup
  9. Greco-Otto P, Baggaley M, Edwards WB, Leguillette R. Water treadmill exercise reduces equine limb segmental accelerations and increases shock attenuation. BMC Vet. Res. 2019;15:1–10.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2075-6pmc: PMC6743102pubmed: 31519197google scholar: lookup
  10. King MR. Principles and Application of Hydrotherapy for Equine Athletes. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pr. 2016;32:115–126.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2015.12.008pubmed: 26898962google scholar: lookup
  11. Nankervis K, Launder EJ, Murray RC. The Use of Treadmills within the Rehabilitation of Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;53:108–115.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.01.010google scholar: lookup
  12. Muñoz A, Saitua A, Becero M, Castejón-Riber C, Satué K, De Medina AS, Argüelles D. The use of the water treadmill for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries in the sport horse. J. Vet. Res. 2019;63:439–445.
    doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0050pmc: PMC6749732pubmed: 31572826google scholar: lookup
  13. Silvers BL, Leatherwood JL, Arnold CE, Nielsen BD, Huseman CJ, Dominguez BJ, Glass KG, Martinez RE, Much ML, Bradbery AN. Effects of aquatic conditioning on cartilage and bone metabolism in young horses. J. Anim. Sci. 2020;98.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa239pmc: PMC7431214pubmed: 32717078google scholar: lookup
  14. Murray RC, Hopkins E, Tacey JB, Nankervis KJ, Deckers I, MacKechnie-Guire R, Tranquille CA. Change in muscle development of horses undergoing 20 weeks of water treadmill exercise compared with control horses. Proceedings of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2020; Birmingham, UK. 9–12 September 2020.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.09_13365google scholar: lookup
  15. Borgia LA, Valberg SJ, Essen-Gustavsson B. Differences in the metabolic properties of gluteus medius and superficial digital flexor muscles and the effect of water treadmill training in the horse. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42:665–670.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00229.xpubmed: 21059078google scholar: lookup
  16. Firshman AM, Borgia LA, Valberg SJ. Effects of training at a walk on conventional and underwater treadmills on fiber properties and metabolic responses of superficial digital flexor and gluteal muscles to high-speed exercise in horses. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2015;76:1058–1065.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.76.12.1058pubmed: 26618730google scholar: lookup
  17. Evans BW, Cureton KJ, Purvis JW. Metabolic and circulatory responses to walking and jogging in water. Res. Q. Am. Alliance Health Phys. Educ. Recreat. Danc. 1978;49:442–449.
    doi: 10.1080/10671315.1978.10615558pubmed: 741082google scholar: lookup
  18. Nankervis KJ, Lefrancois K. A Comparison of Protraction-Retraction of the Distal Limb during Treadmill and Water Treadmill Walking in Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2018;70:57–62.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.08.005google scholar: lookup
  19. Greco-Otto P, Bond S, Sides R, Kwong GPS, Bayly WM, Leguillette R. Workload of horses on a water treadmill: Effect of speed and water height on oxygen consumption and cardiorespiratory parameters. BMC Vet. Res. 2017;13:360.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1290-2pmc: PMC5704633pubmed: 29179766google scholar: lookup
  20. Art T, Anderson L, Woakes AJ, Roberts C, Butler PJ, Snow DH, Lekeux P. Mechanics of breathing during strenuous exercise in Thoroughbred horses. Respir. Physiol. 1990;82:279–294.
    doi: 10.1016/0034-5687(90)90098-Jpubmed: 2080318google scholar: lookup
  21. Scott R, Nankervis K, Stringer C, Westcott K, Marlin D. The effect of water height on stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42:662–664.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00194.xpubmed: 21059077google scholar: lookup
  22. Lindner A, Wäschle S, Sasse HHL. Physiological and blood biochemical variables in horses exercising on a treadmill submerged in water. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 2012;96:563–569.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01179.xpubmed: 21692872google scholar: lookup
  23. McClintock SA, Hutchins DR, Brownlow MA. Determination of weight reduction in horses in flotation tanks. Equine Vet. J. 1987;19:70–71.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb02586.xpubmed: 3691464google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
  1. St George L, Nankervis K, Walker V, Maddock C, Robinson A, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213189pubmed: 41227519google scholar: lookup
  2. Twarowska J, Strychalski J, Gugołek A. A Pilot Study on the Effects of a 10-Session Underwater Treadmill Programme on Canine Joint Range of Motion. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213186pubmed: 41227516google scholar: lookup
  3. Tranquille C, Nankervis K, Tacey J, Hopkins E, Deckers I, Walker V, MacKechnie-Guire R, Newton R, Murray R. Does Muscle Development of Sport Horses Using Water Treadmill Exercise as Part of a Long-Term Training Programme Differ from That of Horses Not Using Water Treadmill Exercise?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 19;15(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15162426pubmed: 40867754google scholar: lookup
  4. Sikorska U, Maśko M, Rey B, Domino M. Utility of Infrared Thermography for Monitoring of Surface Temperature Changes During Horses' Work on Water Treadmill with an Artificial River System. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 1;15(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15152266pubmed: 40805054google scholar: lookup
  5. Geiger T, Lindenhahn L, Delarocque J, Geburek F. Evaluation of water treadmill training, lunging and treadmill training in the rehabilitation of horses with back pain. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 29;21(1):495.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04950-2pubmed: 40731015google scholar: lookup
  6. Sear A, Wills AP. UK animal therapists' confidence in executing professional skills in clinical practice. Vet Rec 2024 Nov Jul 30;195(11):e4704.
    doi: 10.1002/vetr.4704pubmed: 39552036google scholar: lookup
  7. Nankervis K, Tranquille C, Tacey J, Deckers I, MacKechnie-Guire R, Walker V, Hopkins E, Newton R, Murray R. Kinematic Responses to Water Treadmill Exercise When Used Regularly within a Sport Horse Training Programme: A Longitudinal, Observational Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 18;14(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14162393pubmed: 39199927google scholar: lookup
  8. Reis IL, Lopes B, Sousa P, Sousa AC, Caseiro AR, Mendonça CM, Santos JM, Atayde LM, Alvites RD, Maurício AC. Equine Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Clinical Approaches and Therapeutical Perspectives-A Review. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 26;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11050190pubmed: 38787162google scholar: lookup
  9. Saitua A, Castejón-Riber C, Requena F, Argüelles D, Calle-González N, de Medina AS, Muñoz A. Previous Exercise on a Water Treadmill at Different Depths Affects the Accelerometric Pattern Recorded on a Track in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 9;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223086pubmed: 36428314google scholar: lookup
  10. O' Brien C, Pegg J. A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 7;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11092629pubmed: 34573594google scholar: lookup
  11. de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Oosterlinck M, van de Winkel D, De Spiegelaere W, de Bruijn CM, Goethals K, Vanderperren K, Delesalle CJG. Flexibility of equine bioenergetics and muscle plasticity in response to different types of training: An integrative approach, questioning existing paradigms. PLoS One 2021;16(4):e0249922.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249922pubmed: 33848308google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,030 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.