Motorized minitrack for exercising large animals.
A simply constructed device for exercise training large animals, e.g., swine, is described. Basically the device is a small, circular, enclosed track constructed of plywood and metal fence material. A centrally located, vertical shaft powered by a DC motor rotates at a variable speed. Attached to each of four horizontal metal beams extending from the shaft are four suspended partitions which hang freely above the enclosed track surface. As the shaft rotates, the four partitions move in unison, thus forcing animals in each compartment to move at the same pace. The advantages of this device are its cost, low maintenance, and the flexibility to train eight animals by one person. Preliminary results of a study on training pigs are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D013552:Swine