Track systems are the current ‘in thing’ for your four legged friends. So what does your Equine Sports Massage Therapist think of them and their benefits?
What Is a Track System?
A track system is an alternate way of grazing horses and usually consists of a track going around the outside of a field using electric fencing. There are usually different areas for different activities around the track and hay, water and shelter are placed at different points to encourage the horse to move around.
What Are The Benefits and Why Does Your Equine Sports Massage Therapist Love Them?
Limiting Grazing
It’s very difficult for horse owners to make sure their horses are getting enough exercise, which leads to problems such as obesity, laminits and EMS. A track gets grazed down very quickly and alternative surfaces can even be used to prevent any grass grazing. Alternatively the electric fencing can be moved in small areas to allow horses fresh grass if required.
Exercise
As horses have to move between points in order to get to the water, shelter, and hay it increased the amount they have to walk as opposed to being kept in a small paddock or a stable. This in turn keeps them fitter and healthier and is more of a replica of what they would do in the wild.
Different surfaces for hoof health
Different parts of the track can have different surfaces such as stone, wood chip and sand. This is very good for horses feet and also for their muscle as they become used to balancing and moving on different surfaces.
Enrichment
Things such as scratching posts, physical features of the area such as sandpits, ponds, logs and trees, herb gardens, toys and slow feeders can all be present around the track for stimulation.
Pasture Management
The area inside the track can be used for several purposes. It can be saved and cut for hay, or small areas of it can be opened up to allow the horses limited fresh grass. This ensures that the grass is never over grazed as each section can be properly rested.
Herd living
Using a track system means that horses are able to wander around the track and be given the freedom to live outside as a herd.
What Are the Disadvantages?
High work load for owners
Poo picking a track system can be labour intensive. As can refilling hay stations around a long track.
High cost
The initial cost of the track system can be fairly high as electric fencing and various surfaces need to be paid for.
Rented land
If the land is rented the owner might not want different surfaces around the field, or the outside track totally grazed down to nothing.
Doesn’t suit all horses
Some horses may refuse to move around the track and just wait by the hay feeder or the gate for the entire time.
Generally I feel that a track system can be a fantastic tool to manage weight and the metabolic problems associated with equine obesity. The key is the start small to ensure they will work for you and your horses as tracks can always be expanded and developed as time goes on. As an equine massage therapist I always advocate a natural as possible way of life for your horses.
For more information this is an interesting research project on track systems and Equicentral tracks.
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