Getting sport horses into shape is a real challenge.
As with human athletes, modern equipment is also used.
There is something like this on the riding facility in Hohenleiten: an aqua trainer.
Hohenleiten - The two juicy carrots, which are ready in a bowl, are not necessary as a lure.
With a measured step and very loosely guided by the reins, "Wanda" steps into the metal, white thing that looks like a container open at the top.
The front and rear doors are closed, a control is operated - and then off we go.
"Wanda" begins to march on a treadmill, a few moments later a splash can be heard.
The water rises higher and higher until the inflow stops at about the height of the knees.
The brown mare keeps her head relaxed, but clearly visibly lifts her legs and has to work properly in order to overcome the water resistance and at the same time keep pace.
Exactly this muscle work is also the purpose of the "aqua trainer".
Aqua-Trainer enables special muscle building
Such a device has been on the riding facility in Hohenleiten (between Penzberg and Beuerberg) since spring.
Meike Weber is in charge of training there.
As an eventing rider, she competes in international tournaments for the “Horse Friends Fischen” from Pähl.
She herself is meanwhile convinced of the “Aqua-Trainer”, because for her top horse “Kiaora” (nickname “Guz”) he has “given a boost” in terms of fitness and muscle building, says Weber.
This effect can also be proven in sober results: At the most recent Bavarian championship in eventing, Weber and "Guz" won the bronze medal together.
A success that the rider is proud of: “You are noticed more again”, is her observation.
Every rider is happy about such a medal.
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Treading water is very modern: an “aqua trainer” has been on the riding facility in Hohenleiten for several months.
There, horses can improve their fitness and build muscles in a way that is gentle on their joints.
The photos show the mare "Wanda" in action.
© Paul Hopp
Compared to the previous CCI events this season, the ten-year-old mare presented herself better in Hambach.
In dressage and jumping “she was top,” says Weber.
In the area of the three-star competition, the duo was stopped by the judges.
Since a couple had "cleared" an obstacle in front of them, Weber and "Guz" had to stop roughly in the middle of the route.
They were only allowed to continue riding after the obstacle was properly backed up.
The situation is quite tricky: the horse's heart rate has to be reduced and then increased when it starts again.
The fitter a horse, according to Weber, the better something like this works.
And "Guz" was immediately back to operating temperature.
"Also a sign that the fitness training has taken off," says the rider.
Horses complete units of up to 30 minutes in the aqua trainer
A tournament appearance in Kreuth in June with an 18th place was the decisive factor in Weber changing the training program for her mare - and using the new equipment in the riding facility himself. At the time, her horse was “not so fit”. One reason was that almost all smaller tournaments in Bavaria were canceled due to Corona. This eliminated opportunities to build up form for international tournaments. The “Aqua-Trainer” comes in handy to remedy the shortcoming. The advantages: In the water, the limbs are spared, and the resistance increases the training effect at the same time. According to Weber, a session in the water of between 20 and 30 minutes is comparable to two hours of conventional riding. Especially when it comes to versatility, “we have to train a lot and so we can cut down on the crowd,” says Weber.This benefits the animals. "The ultimate goal is that the horse survives its sporting career in good health," emphasizes the trainer.
Horses are athletes too, and they need to be treated that way.
Trainer Meike Weber on the usefulness of modern equipment for fitness and muscle building.
In Hohenleiten, in addition to the “aqua trainer”, a vibration plate (for muscle relaxation) and a solarium are available.
It is unique in the south of Munich, says Johannes Burgmann, the operator of the riding facility.
The equipment (the devices together cost around 100,000 euros) can be used by hires and external horse owners.
A veterinary control and care is available on site.
The animals usually get used to the device quickly.
For many riders, such methods are new territory - there is a certain skepticism, Weber knows.
"Wanda" finished her program for the day after about 20 minutes.
While the water is pumped out of the interior and runs into a filter system, the treadmill continues to rotate.
When it stops and the front door is opened, the mare snorts once.
Then she lets Burgmann lead her towards the boxes.
She looks a little like a footballer who has come home from the training ground.
“She knows what she did today,” says Burgmann.
He smiles appreciatively.
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