Treadmill exercise testing. Treadmill installation and training protocols used for clinical evaluations of equine athletes.

This research paper explores the use of treadmill exercise testing to evaluate the performance of equine athletes, suggesting the most suitable treadmill characteristics, installation procedures, and training protocols for conducting successful clinical evaluations in horses.

Treadmill Exercise Testing – An Introduction

• The paper introduces the use of motorized treadmills as a revolutionary tool that allows for clinical evaluations of racing horses during peak exercise. Various tests currently conducted using treadmills include treadmill gait analysis, dynamic hoof balancing, endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway function, and exercise performance profiling.

Recommended Treadmill Specifications

• The research suggests that large motorized treadmills, measuring 1 to 1.5 meters in width and 4 to 5 meters in length, are ideal for these evaluations. These dimensions ensure that the horse can safely run at its full potential, allowing for accurate exercise performance profiling.

Treadmill Installation

• The study advises that installing the treadmill in-ground using a pit is beneficial. This setup results in the treadmill’s tread surface being on the same level as the surrounding floor, which significantly decreases the risk of injury to the horse and creates a more natural environment for the horse to exercise.

Training Protocols for Treadmills

• The research emphasizes the importance of a standard protocol for training horses to exercise on the treadmill. This is essential as the treadmill is a new and unfamiliar environment for the horse, and improper usage could lead to subpar testing results or even harm to the horse.
• The training procedure should be gradual and designed to acclimate the horse to the particular procedures required for the specific clinical evaluation. The research implies that this allows for a more controlled and less stressful introduction of the horse to treadmill exercise.