Horsewalkers and Footing for Horses
One question we always get is what kind of material do I put in my walker. While this is a great question, it’s not a one size fits all answer like ,most people think.
The first question is what is available in your area, or lose enough to truck in? Then, what kind of budget are we working with? Over the years, we have seen many types of materials used, and most of them were good for the job they were meant to do.
Rubber shavings or mats – We have seen these materials used in many applications. From solid concrete base with solid rubber mats, to rubber shavings or chopped rubber, most customers who use these are happy with them, but keep in mind that if you are wanting to use the electric shock feature on a walker, it will not work with these types of footings because the horses will not be grounded. We have seen customers mix the shaved rubber in with natural footing, and that’s eels to work decently and you do not lose the shock feature
Plastic Grid Systems – These systems seem to work very well, and from what we have seen, hold up well. They allow you to build a base and fill it with a good solid base material, and it allows for drainage to happen, while maintaining a solid base in wet conditions. The only downside to these pads is that with a walker drag you want something that does not have a part that sticks down into the footing, so that it can’t grab the gridwork if it hits a shallow area of footing. So this will be a great pad, but require a little more physical labor in the terms of keeping g the footing raked and smooth
Natural Footing – Natural Footing if done correctly is always the best option. This allows you to create a solid base, then put a nice footing over the top, and use the walker to the best of its abilities. You don’t have to worry about grounding problems, drag issues, or someone not paying attention and letting a horse exercise on poorly maintained footing.
Again, these are all opinions and observations that I have gathered over the years from installing horse walkers. Your Veterinarian may give you a different answer or have a different idea. And a lot of it depends on materials available to you. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We will be glad to help with your next horse walker.
About Me
Hi, My name is Josh Reilley, and I have been in sales and service in the ranch and rodeo world since 2008. I have worked for the top companies in the industry including Priefert and Kiser Arena Specialists. I have taken my skills from both companies and used them to help people accomplish their visions when it comes to setting up the equipment needed for their facilities. No matter if you are a professional or hobbyist, I can help!