Horse Treadmill Provides Power And Exercise

Horse Treadmill Provides Power And Exercise LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Horses like treadmills more than people do At least that is the experience of one man who found his horses lined up by their treadmill one day True story says Elias Shirk who handles marketing for Athens Treadmills in Spencer Tenn The company has been making “one-horse treadmills” for about 25 years with a recent surge in promotion and interest The treadmills serve two main purposes in the Amish or other Plain communities: to exercise a horse and to create power ranging from 1/3 hp to 1 1/2 hp That’s enough to power washing machines ice cream makers wood splitters water pumps and a wide variety of air tools Shirk says For example a Haflinger horse can power a wringer washer or wheat flour mill for up to 4 hrs with brief rest periods “For more power adjust the front higher by raising the two jacks ” he explains The gearbox also has an adjustable speed governor lifetime seal web rollers and a heavy-duty oil bath gear drive train It can also be hooked up to a belt or pto The white oak trailer with a double floor is 31 in between its sides to accommodate everything from a hackney pony to a draft horse to an ox The treadmill is popular with people who live off the grid to power small generators that put out 750 watts “Racetracks and universities like to use them for research because they have determined that an 11-degree incline provides proper front to rear leg muscle load for horses ” Shirk says An additional advantage is that the horse walks in a straight line and provides uniform exercise compared to a round pen which puts a greater load on the inside legs About half of Athens Treadmills’ customers purchase them to exercise or train their horses Many use treadmills during the winter to keep their horses in shape for spring and summer field work Others train them for driving Cost for the treadmill is $4 475 with a gearbox Athens Treadmills also offers 2-horse treadmills and generator air compressor grain mill rubber floor and other options for an additional cost The treadmills can be freight-shipped anywhere in the U S Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Athens Enterprise 600 Eagle Way Spencer Tenn 38585 ph 931 946-1650 7-8 a m Central

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