Staff Writer |
Founded in 1997 by Siegfried Mitzel, Horse Gym 2000 started as a small project in Mitzel's garage. With a deep understanding of the needs of horse breeders, competitors, and administrators in the German Show Jumping scene, Mitzel aimed to design a revolutionary horse treadmill. His goal was to create a machine that prioritized safety and offered optimal footing for horses during training. Initially targeting a niche market, Horse Gym 2000 quickly gained popularity due to its exceptional quality and effectiveness.
Mitzel's decision to focus solely on Horse Gym 2000 led to exponential growth, with over 25 skilled individuals now employed by the company. This team, consisting of engineers, fabricators, designers, and administrators, is dedicated to ensuring top quality and customer satisfaction at every step.
What sets Horse Gym 2000 apart is its self-contained operations. By handling all aspects of production and development in-house, the company maintains complete control over the entire process. This vertical integration allows for constant innovation and improvement, keeping Horse Gym 2000 at the forefront of the equine training industry.
With a commitment to providing the best products, including Horse Treadmills, Vibratory Plates, Horse Spa, Aqua trainers, Horse Solariums, and custom-made equipment, Horse Gym 2000 now sells over 150-200 units each year. By consistently introducing new and improved products, the company meets the evolving needs of customers and strives to exceed expectations.
Ten Furlongs Magazine interviews the CEO of Horse Gym, Siegfried Mitzel exploring their cutting-edge equine performance equipment. This interview paints a vivid picture of a company reshaping equine performance through innovation and understanding of client needs.
As a horse breeder Siegfried Mitzel, wanted to improve the lives of his horses. With a busy schedule and limited time, the founder wanted to create a machine that could provide exercise and comfort for the horses. The idea was to develop a treadmill that would mimic the feeling of walking in a wet field, ensuring that the horse experiences the same sensation as if it were on open land.
Stepping away from traditional, rigid training modes, the Horse Gym treadmill prioritises the horse's individual needs and preferences through a suite of self-realizing and automatic features.
"I thought about what I could do so that the horse felt the same feeling as when it would walk in the wet field," Mitzel explained. "The idea was to create a special ground and a machine that would work with the horse's natural instincts, allowing it to climb up and down."
At the heart of this innovative technology lies a sophisticated sensor system that continuously monitors the horse's movements and biometrics. Through advanced algorithms, the treadmill interprets these signals, adjusting speed and terrain conditions seamlessly in real time. If the horse shows signs of fatigue or discomfort, subtle reductions in intensity or automatic pauses provide a welcome reprieve. This dynamic adaptation mimics the natural flow of movement horses experience in open fields, fostering a more engaging and comfortable workout.
Safety remains paramount, with built-in sensors instantly detecting sudden changes in gait or stress levels. Should the horse exhibit nervousness or attempt to stop, the treadmill comes to a gentle halt, minimizing potential injuries and building trust. This automated safeguard empowers both horses and handlers, allowing for more focused training sessions free from anxieties.
“The machine goes softly if the horse wants to and starts more stronger to if the horse wants to. It detects itself if the horse wants to go up and stops on its own automatically when the horse is nervous or if he's tired.
The Horse Gym treadmill represents a significant leap forward in equine fitness technology. By prioritizing the horse's well-being and respecting its individual needs, it fosters a more harmonious and productive training environment. Its self-realizing and automatic features offer a glimpse into the future of equine exercise, where technology and empathy work in tandem to optimize performance and ensure the horse's comfort at every step.
Fueled by tireless testing and refinements, 1999 marked the official birth of the company, setting the stage for two decades of remarkable growth and innovation.
A decade later, in 2003, Horse Gym outgrew its initial space and boldly relocated to a larger facility. This move allowed the company to expand its operations and product line, catering to the diverse needs of different breeds and disciplines within the equine world. Today, Horse Gym stands as a preeminent manufacturer of superior treadmills, offering options beyond the original design, including
Horse Gym transcends treadmills, delving deep into equine performance. Mitzel, through hands-on research and trainer dialogue, tunes their machines to meet diverse needs, optimizing results for champions and casual companions alike.
“I go to the race place, and I speak to the trainer and when the horses run, I understand what the horse’s needs are,” confirmed Mitzel.
Recognizing the diversity within the equine world, Horse Gym doesn't offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, they have developed specialized programs catering to distinct breeds and disciplines, including Arabians, Icelandic horses, racehorses, jumpers, and dressage horses. The core design of the treadmill remains consistent, but crucial adjustments are made in terms of size, strength, and duration.
From treadmills tailored for shorter distances to high-speed machines capable of reaching 70 kilometers per hour, Horse Gym ensures that every horse has access to the precise training it needs to excel.
CHAMPIONING EQUINE PERFORMANCE FROM DOWN UNDER TO DUBAI:
In the high-stakes world of thoroughbred racing, where seconds can separate champions from also-rans, Horse Gym has emerged as a trusted partner for stables seeking an edge. With over 200 treadmills sold to Australian racing stables alone, the company's impact on equestrian scene is undeniable. But their influence extends far beyond the Southern Hemisphere, reaching prestigious clients in Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
But the numbers paint an even more impressive picture. With a relentless commitment to quality and innovation, Horse Gym has sold a remarkable 4,900 treadmills worldwide. This translates to thousands of equine athletes having access to state-of-the-art exercise equipment designed to optimize their performance and well-being.
Horse Gym has revolutionized horse exercise by creating not just treadmills, but intelligent training tools. Their dedication to understanding horses, combined with their relentless pursuit of technical excellence, has secured their position as a leader in the global racing industry. As they continue to innovate and expand their reach, one thing is certain: Horse Gym's impact on the lives of horses, and the pursuit of equestrian excellence, is just beginning.