Jelka Group

Jelka Group Creating equine facilities for the future with innovative infrastructure. Welfare. Performance.​ Efficiency.

While peak competition season is exciting, it can also place huge physical demands on horses. Particularly throughout th...
04/06/2026

While peak competition season is exciting, it can also place huge physical demands on horses. Particularly throughout the summer months when heat, travel, and intensive training schedules all contribute to muscular fatigue and recovery challenges.

That’s why many professional, livery, and private yards are increasingly incorporating water treadmills into their facilities and programmes. Exercising in water allows horses to work with reduced concussive forces on joints and limbs, while the natural resistance of the water encourages muscle engagement, core activation, and controlled strengthening.

Water treadmill sessions can help to support:
💧 Muscle recovery after competition
💧 Low-impact conditioning and fitness
💧 Improved range of motion and flexibility
💧 Circulation and recovery support

Maintaining hygiene and efficiency within these systems is equally important in busy training environments. The Sascotec Aquatrainer is designed with practical daily use in mind, featuring a V-shaped drainage floor for fast water and manure removal, alongside six service hatches that allow easy cleaning and maintenance access.

To learn more about the benefits of water treadmill training, and what sets Sascotec equipment apart, visit our page here: bit.ly/42xe6yI

01/06/2026

Our version of perfection 😮‍💨

Our Komfortex matting is designed to improve everyday spaces, from busy indoor barns to high-traffic walk ways and wash bay areas.

✔️ Anti-slip surface for confident footing, even in wet conditions
✔️ Joint-friendly cushioning and shock absorption to support horse comfort and reduce long term strain
✔️ Noise reduction in busy yard environments, creating a less reactive space
✔️ Surface structure supports water run-off, preventing standing water and improving hygiene standards

The difference a few months can make 😅And the mats haven’t gone anywhere! Season after season, Top Clean mats keep doing...
29/05/2026

The difference a few months can make 😅And the mats haven’t gone anywhere! Season after season, Top Clean mats keep doing exactly what they’re designed to do👌

Do vibration plates for horses actually work? It’s a fair question. Equine vibration plates (often called whole-body vib...
26/05/2026

Do vibration plates for horses actually work?

It’s a fair question. Equine vibration plates (often called whole-body vibration platforms) have become increasingly common in rehab and performance yards, but what does the research actually say?

Whole-body vibration works by sending controlled, low-amplitude vibrations through the horse’s body, which stimulate muscles, nerves and circulation. The principle has been used in human sports science and rehabilitation for decades and has gradually made its way into equine therapy.

Some equine studies suggest there may be measurable benefits when used correctly. For example, a study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science investigated vibrating platform therapy in horses and observed behavioural signs of relaxation during treatment, suggesting potential recovery and comfort benefits.

More recent veterinary research has explored the impact of vibration therapy on the horse’s back muscles. A 2026 pilot study in Research in Veterinary Science found local increases in mechanical pain thresholds in some regions of the thoracolumbar musculature after vibration therapy sessions, indicating possible effects on muscle sensitivity and comfort.

Other controlled studies looking at horses with back pain have shown that several weeks of vibration therapy improved postural stability and increased the size of the multifidus muscle, a key stabilising muscle along the spine.

However, the important takeaway from the research is balance. Vibration plates are not a replacement for exercise, turnout or veterinary care. Evidence suggests they may be useful as a supportive tool within conditioning or rehabilitation programmes, helping stimulate circulation, engage deep muscles and encourage relaxation, but they work best when combined with good training, movement and management.

In other words, they’re not a magic fix. They’re a tool within a wider welfare-led system.

Curious about how this technology fits into your routine? Explore more via our website 🔗

20/05/2026

We spend a lot of time thinking about the surfaces in our arenas because we know how much footing affects movement and soundness, but what about horse walkers? Walkers ask horses to repeat the same biomechanical pattern, often on a relatively tight circle, for extended periods of time. That repetitive loading places consistent pressure on joints, tendons and hooves, which makes the surface beneath them just as important as the one they’re ridden on.

Well-designed walker flooring provides consistent grip, shock absorption and durability, helping to reduce concussion while supporting confident, balanced movement lap after lap.

To explore more about horse walker flooring, visit: https://bit.ly/4uXukgD

When we talk about improving our horses’ welfare, many people immediately think of the big things. New facilities. Expen...
18/05/2026

When we talk about improving our horses’ welfare, many people immediately think of the big things. New facilities. Expensive equipment. But in our experience, it’s often the small, well-considered environmental changes that make the biggest difference not just to welfare, but to efficiency, staff workload and long-term sustainability.

Horses are environmental creatures. Their nervous systems, respiratory health, hydration, movement patterns and social behaviours are all shaped by the spaces we ask them to live in. Subtle improvements to airflow, footing, water access and social contact can profoundly influence both physical health and mental wellbeing. If we want horses who are healthier, calmer and more resilient, and yards that run more smoothly, we need to look carefully at the details.

In our latest blog, we explore how small, thoughtful adjustments to a horse’s surroundings can significantly improve both welfare and the day-to-day efficiency of a yard.

Read the full blog at: https://bit.ly/4uUxu4S

Plastic vs metal water troughs in summer, which is better? ☀️When temperatures rise, hydration becomes one of the most i...
13/05/2026

Plastic vs metal water troughs in summer, which is better? ☀️

When temperatures rise, hydration becomes one of the most important factors in maintaining horse health and performance. But the type of water trough you use can make more of a difference than you might think.

Metal troughs heat up quickly in direct sunlight. This can raise water temperature significantly throughout the day, making it less appealing for horses to drink. In some cases, the surface can also become hot to the touch, and prolonged sun exposure may encourage algae growth if not managed carefully.

Plastic troughs tend to retain a cooler water temperature for longer. They don’t conduct heat in the same way, which can help keep water more palatable during peak heat. However, lighter plastic troughs can tip or move if they are not weighted or secured properly.

What matters most:
💧 Fresh, clean water available at all times
💧 Positioning troughs in shaded areas where possible
💧 Checking and refilling more frequently in hot weather
💧 Monitoring intake, as reduced drinking can quickly lead to dehydration

The goal is simple: make it as easy and inviting as possible for horses to drink. Small management choices, like trough material and placement, can have a huge impact over the course of a hot summer.

Sometimes it’s the simplest elements of an Active Stable that make the biggest difference. Automatic hay feeders are a g...
11/05/2026

Sometimes it’s the simplest elements of an Active Stable that make the biggest difference. Automatic hay feeders are a great example. By releasing access forage at set intervals throughout the day, they help mirror a horse’s natural trickle-feeding behaviour while preventing large surges of hay intake at once. This not only supports digestive health, but can also help manage weight and reduce competition within the herd.

From a management perspective, timed feeding also reduces the need for constant manual refilling, freeing up staff time while still ensuring horses receive consistent access to forage.

A small piece of infrastructure, but one that quietly improves routine, welfare and efficiency all at once ✅

Stable design doesn’t have to abandon tradition, it just needs to evolve it. Many of the features that improve welfare c...
05/05/2026

Stable design doesn’t have to abandon tradition, it just needs to evolve it. Many of the features that improve welfare conditions are actually simple refinements of the classic stable layout. Good ventilation keeps air fresh and reduces dust build-up, supporting respiratory health. Open or railed stable partitions allow horses to see and interact with their neighbours, maintaining social contact even when stabled. Then there are the details underfoot and within daily routine. Rubber floor matting softens impact and reduces the sharp echo of shoes on concrete, creating a quieter, more comfortable environment. Automated drinkers ensure horses have constant access to fresh water without relying on manual refilling.

Thoughtful stable design doesn’t always have to be about reinventing the wheel. Enhancing the traditional stable can have a huge impact on a horses environment.

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