Fitness Programs

The more conditioned a horse is, the less injury-prone it is likely to be, and the better it will perform in competition. However, getting your horse to peak competitive condition – and maintaining that condition – is the challenge of top horsemen everywhere. Each outing carries with it the risk of injury or excessive wear on the horse’s joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. Circle Oak Equine can help you bring your horse to top competitive form as safely as possible and maximize both strength and stamina throughout the show season.

“Longevity in our demanding sport is difficult, but with the knowledgeable staff and benefits of the HydroHorse treadmill at Circle Oak, I know our horse, Killian O'Connor, has the best shot of keeping in condition. He was described as ‘fit as a fiddle’ by one commentator at the Rolex Kentucky 4-star event in 2009!"
–Tracy Bowman, Eventing Trainer, Kismet Farms

Keep Your Horse Fit

Our HydroHorse™ underwater treadmill builds muscles and cardiovascular strength without excessive wear and tear. The horse exercises in a controlled environment in a straight line on a flat service, using its normal gait, with full range of motion and the same muscles that it uses on traditional surfaces. However, the buoyancy of the water allows the horse to exercise with up to 60% less impact and without undue stress or risk of trauma. Depending on your horse’s current condition and the timing of your show season, we will design a program, using the underwater treadmill, the free-flow exerciser and other appropriate therapies, to optimize your horse’s existing training regimen.

Stay with Us or Trailer-In

Conditioning programs can be carried out on either a resident or non-resident basis. The latter allows you maximum flexibility to coordinate our supplemental conditioning programs with your horse’s regular training. Trainers are encouraged to visit, observe and consult during conditioning sessions, to ensure that your competitive goals are being attained.

A Stress-Free vacation for both you and your horse

Our experience teaches us that even performance horses in top condition benefit greatly, both physically and mentally, from our exercise regimens incorporating both our Hydrohorse™ and the 70′ free-flow exerciser. Horses return to training happier and in better condition than when they left. Do you or your trainer want to leave for vacation? If so, and you want to keep your horse in peak condition and provide him a mental vacation from the rigors of repetitive training, we will develop a program that serves the needs of both you and your horse.