Double storey stable complex
Our complex is well equipped with the stable’s own weighing scale, an ice machine and an ice bucket spa. The main stable comprises of 2 storeys. The downstairs is fully air-conditioned, and is great for horses that need to acclimatise to the hot weather. Upstairs the boxes are made to a more open plan style, the horses can see each other and have slight contact. This is useful for horses who fret and need company.
Methodical feeding and regular grooming for the horses are part of the stable care. In addition, assistant trainer Julie Burridge ensures that the horses maintain optimal health by adopting up to date non-invasive therapies.
It is the norm that all racehorses work in an intense training environment. They are exposed to daily work levels that keep increasing as part of pre-race training.
What sets us aside from other racehorse trainers is the fact that we have equipment company on their feet as long as is possible.
The following therapies are applied regularly to ensure that the racehorses remain in peak condition.
- E-TRAKKA Blanket – A technology for data collection
- Game Ready System
- Treadmill
- Ice Machine
- Equissage Massage Machine
- 10 horse walking machine
- World-class Farrier on site
- Equine Inhaler to help treat respiratory conditions and air-way allergies
Benefits of Treadmill use
The treadmill traditionally has been used as a research tool or in clinical diagnostic testing. However with the development of the high speed treadmill it has become more popular as a training tool.
We are able to control the intensity, the volume of work and the duration of the work. This is a major advantage when doing high quality galloping work.
The treadmill serves an ideal tool for interval training, with both distance and speed being accurately controlled. Research shows that the inclined treadmill forces the hind limbs to carry more weight and to provide greater propulsion. This is an ideal approach to assist in the muscular development of the hind limbs during training. The level of stress applied, speed and duration of gallops with each work out can be monitored by the use of heart rate monitors or by measurements of blood lactate concentrations.
The treadmill also provides an opportunity to nurse race track injuries such as tendons or joint problems, or control the work regime for an overly strong track worker. The treadmill belt provides a smooth, consistent surface, eliminating injuries from uneven footing.
Improvements in a horse’s fitness can be detected by its exercise and recovery heart rates. Heart rate monitors play an important part in Steven’s treadmill training.
Steven gallops 2 to 4 horses daily on the treadmill and looks at all the recovery heart rates to ensure that the horse is improving his condition and not under or over working during specific workouts.
Game Ready System for recovery
The Game Ready System has proven to be an excellent instrument in expediting recovery from injuries and ailments while preventing long-term damage. It is based on the traditional recovery principle-RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) used by top athletes all over the world. The technology behind this accelerated recovery system was developed using proprietary NASA spacesuit technology by scientists and doctors. The reliable tool with a proven track record for human recovery has since been adapted to equine needs by equestrian professionals and veterinarians.
A common result of any horse injury is inflammation which also leads to pain. Inflammation affects blood vessels and tissue cells. When an injury is not treated early enough, it can have serious repercussions on the horse’s health. When administered effectively, Game Ready can significantly reduce damage to the tissue cells, decrease pain and muscle spasm through the RICE principles.
This handy gadget is used regularly at Steven Burridge Racing Stables for all horses as part of preventive measures as well as for rehabilitation after racing or injuries. Horses are given the best treatment that technology has to offer to maintain their good health at all times.
Polar Heart Rate Monitor for horse’s fitness
Monitoring the horses’ heart rate can lead to significant improvements in performance, endurance and health. A horse’s heart rate is a reliable indicator of its level of fitness. The usefulness of continuously seeing a horse’s exercise heart rate comes from the knowledge there is a linear relationship between heart rate and how hard the horse is working. By ‘heart rate auditing’ each of the horse’s training sessions, any change from normality is a possible warning sign that all maybe not well.
Working too hard for too long invites injury and fatigue. Working with low intensity provides inefficient benefit.
Using light for a non-invasive Therapy
Together with Equissage, Julie currently uses the more specifically targeted BioScan system for its therapeutic and remedial capacity. The hand-held BioScan light generates photo-dynamic light, tuned to specific frequencies. Cellular tissues absorb this infrared energy, causing a biological response within that cellular tissue, releasing healing enzymes into the cellular structure.
Apart from delivering similar benefits to the Equissage system in terms of increased blood circulation and muscle stimulation, BioScan aids in the repair process, encouraging damaged cells to be replaced more promptly. Tissue granulation, imperative as part of the healing process in wounds, ulcers or general inflammation, is also stimulated and the overall immune response is energized.
Both these easy-to-use portable therapy machines are in constant use in the Burridge stables with up to six to eight horses receiving treatment each afternoon.