How to Condition a Horse to a Walker

Horse breeders and trainers use machines called "hot walkers" to cool off horses after exercise and to put muscle on animals too young to be trained under saddle. Constructed of long, metal arms surrounding a central, motorized turnstile, hot walkers move the horses at varying speeds in a large circle. They come with quick-release lead mechanisms on each arm that attach to the side ring of the horse's halter. If you decide to use a hot walker with your horse, it is important that you acclimate your animal to the equipment prior to expecting it to walk around willingly fastened to a big machine.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter and lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train your young or inexperienced horse to halter lead if it doesn't already know how to do so.

    • 2

      Walk the horse to the hot walker and let it look and sniff at the equipment while there are no horses attached and the walker is not moving. Many horses shy away from big pieces of machinery they have not seen before.

    • 3

      Bring your horse to view other horses cooling down in the walker. Seeing other calm animals not being harmed by this piece of moving equipment conditions your horse to be unafraid.

    • 4

      Attach your horse's halter to the hot walker while it is not moving. Stand with the animal, pet its neck and talk soothingly until you feel the horse relax.

    • 5

      Start the walker at a slow pace and walk with your horse around in the circle until the animal is calm and quiet.

    • 6

      Move away from the walker and allow your horse to walk on its own. Monitor your horse's behavior the first few times using the machine until you feel the animal is comfortable enough to walk without being able to see you.