Which diameter suits 4, 6 or 8 horses?

Per the catalogue: for 4 horses 12, 15 or 16 m, for 6 horses 15, 16, 18 or 20 m, and for 8 horses (Topspin or Flying Dutchman) 18 or 20 m. For 3 horses, 10 or 12 m are available. The right diameter depends, besides the number of horses, on the available space.

What does a horse walker cost in Switzerland?

There is no flat answer. The price depends on the number of horses and the diameter, the fencing, any roofing, the footing, and on assembly, power, permit and transport. The indicative, non-binding prices of the individual components are shown on the product pages; for an overall picture we prepare a quote tailored to your site.

Does a horse walker need a building permit?

It depends on the situation. Whether and to what extent a building permit is required depends on the canton, municipality, location and land-use zone. Clarify this early with your municipality.

A roof makes the horse walker usable in any weather. For this the catalogue offers a roof with galvanised IPE 160 beams and a Stabipol GRP roof (15° pitch) as well as separate lunging roofs. Whether the outlay is worth it depends on the intended use and the site.

Horse walker or round pen — what is the difference?

A horse walker mechanically moves several horses at once along a fixed track. A round pen is a fenced circular area for lunging individual horses. This guide covers the horse walker; for lunging the catalogue offers its own roofs.

Planning a horse walker: size, cost and rules in Switzerland

A horse walker moves several horses at once at a controlled walk or trot — how many horses and which diameter make sense depends on the herd: from 3 horses (10–12 m) to 8 horses (18–20 m). Important for planning in Switzerland: under animal-welfare law a horse walker counts as use and therefore as exercise, but it does not replace the prescribed turnout. This guide means the stationary horse walker, not a round pen and not a horse trailer.

Horse walker with a central tower and extended drive arms on sandy ground, a green pasture in the background — A stationary horse walker moves several horses at once — the diameter depends on the number of horses. (Catalogue photograph, Geert en Henk, installed context)

This guide walks you through planning a horse walker for a private or livery yard: the legal framework, diameter by number of horses, catalogue types, fencing, roofing and footing, plus the details we need for a quote. The exact turnout areas by withers height are covered in our dimensions guide; this article links to it rather than repeating them.

1. Horse walker, exercise and turnout: the legal framework

The Swiss Animal Protection Ordinance (TSchV, SR 455.1) expressly counts "movement by the horse walker" as use of equids (Art. 2 let. o). Under Art. 61, the exercise to be provided each day comprises both use and turnout. A horse walker therefore covers the use and exercise part — in legal terms it is a form of exercise, not of turnout.

Turnout is defined more narrowly: as free movement outdoors in which the horse itself determines gait, direction and speed (Art. 2 let. c). That is precisely not the case in a horse walker — the machine sets the pace and direction. This is why a horse walker does not replace the prescribed turnout.

2. How many horses, which diameter?

The diameter of a horse walker depends first of all on the number of horses meant to walk at the same time. The overview below summarises the models available in the catalogue and their diameters.

Horses	Catalogue model	Available diameters
3 horses	Horse walker (TM3P)	10 m, 12 m
4 horses	Horse walker (TM4P)	12 m, 15 m, 16 m
6 horses	Horse walker (TM6P)	15 m, 16 m, 18 m, 20 m
8 horses	Topspin (TMTS8P) / Flying Dutchman (TMFD8P)	18 m, 20 m

A larger diameter means a longer, less tight track per lap. Which model and diameter make sense for your yard depends, besides the number of horses, on the available space and the intended use.

3. Catalogue types: Standard, Topspin and Flying Dutchman

Rotating floating gate of a horse walker with vertical aluminium bars and a galvanised crossbeam — A rotating floating gate with aluminium bars, as used by the catalogue horse walkers. (Catalogue photograph, Geert en Henk, installed context)

The catalogue offers the horse walkers in several versions. The Standard horse walker (TM3P, TM4P, TM6P) covers 3 to 6 horses. The following features are manufacturer specifications:

CE-tested (per manufacturer specifications).
Fitted as standard with a deterrent current (Schreckstrom).
3-stage control box, left-right-automatic.
12 aluminium bars per rotating floating gate.
Tall central tower — per the manufacturer, for more stability and less wear.

For 8 horses the catalogue offers the Topspin horse walker (TMTS8P) and the Flying Dutchman version (TMFD8P), both with an 18 m or 20 m diameter. Options include, among others, an automatic lubrication system, an irrigation system, a programmable control, a protective cover with stand and various drive gates.

4. Fencing: Round Fence, Hippo Safety Fence and wood

The track is fenced on the inside and outside. The catalogue offers three variants:

Round Fence: hot-dip galvanised, 1.27 m high, with 32 mm plastic boards in brown, black or grey; the outer gate lets two leaves open over 3.00 m.
Hippo Safety Fence: inner and outer fence about 1.50 m high, 2.40 m entrance gate, 10 × 10 cm posts spaced 2.00 m apart.
Wooden fence: available as an alternative to the plastic version.

5. Roofing: protecting the walker and the horses

Covered horse walker with a corrugated-sheet roof on galvanised steel posts and a dark Round Fence — A covered horse walker stays usable in any weather; the fence carries the roof. (Catalogue photograph, Geert en Henk, installed context)

A roof makes the horse walker usable in any weather. The catalogue roof consists of galvanised IPE 160 steel beams with a Stabipol GRP roof and a 15° roof pitch; a windbreak net on top of the fence is part of the full version. For lunging there are separate lunging roofs and a combined roof for horse walker and lunging.

Roof (HSO): galvanised IPE 160 beams, Stabipol GRP roof, 15° roof pitch, windbreak net.
Lunging roof (LGO): 15 m, 16 m, 18 m or 20 m.
Combined roof for horse walker and lunging (FLYDUT): 18 m or 20 m.

6. Footing and drainage

As track footing the catalogue offers Ecoraster honeycomb tiles (E30 and E40, 1.33 × 1.00 m each). Per the manufacturer they form a durable base with good drainage; the E30 tile is 4 cm thick. For the horse walker the Ecoraster comes as a preconfigured set (EQB) in 10, 12, 15, 18 or 20 m.

7. Site, power, access and permit

Before ordering it is worth looking at the site conditions. A horse walker needs a level, load-bearing area, a power connection for the drive and access for delivery and assembly.

Footing: level, load-bearing area, with drainage depending on the version (Ecoraster).
Power: connection for the drive and the control.
Access: enough room for delivery and assembly.
Building permit: depends on the situation — whether and to what extent a permit is required depends on the canton, municipality, location and land-use zone. Clarify this early with your municipality.

8. What does a horse walker cost?

There is no flat price: the cost depends on the number of horses and the diameter, the chosen fencing, any roofing, the footing, and on assembly, power connection, permit and transport. The indicative, non-binding prices of the individual components, in Swiss francs, are shown on the product pages; for an overall picture we combine the right components in a quote tailored to your site.

9. Checklist for your quote

Number of horses meant to walk at the same time.
Desired or maximum possible diameter.
Fencing: Round Fence, Hippo Safety Fence or wood.
Roofing: yes or no.
Footing and drainage: existing or planned with Ecoraster.
Power connection on site.
Access for delivery and assembly.
Site and permit question clarified with the municipality.

Frequently asked questions

Does a horse walker replace daily turnout?
No. The Animal Protection Ordinance counts movement by the horse walker as use (Art. 2 let. o) and therefore as exercise, not as turnout. Turnout is defined as free movement outdoors in which the horse itself determines gait, direction and speed (Art. 2 let. c) — which is not the case in a horse walker. Horses that are not used therefore still need at least two hours of turnout a day, used horses at least two days a week for two hours (Art. 61).
Which diameter suits 4, 6 or 8 horses?
Per the catalogue: for 4 horses 12, 15 or 16 m, for 6 horses 15, 16, 18 or 20 m, and for 8 horses (Topspin or Flying Dutchman) 18 or 20 m. For 3 horses, 10 or 12 m are available. The right diameter depends, besides the number of horses, on the available space.
What does a horse walker cost in Switzerland?
There is no flat answer. The price depends on the number of horses and the diameter, the fencing, any roofing, the footing, and on assembly, power, permit and transport. The indicative, non-binding prices of the individual components are shown on the product pages; for an overall picture we prepare a quote tailored to your site.
Does a horse walker need a building permit?
It depends on the situation. Whether and to what extent a building permit is required depends on the canton, municipality, location and land-use zone. Clarify this early with your municipality.
Which footing suits a horse walker?
The catalogue offers Ecoraster honeycomb tiles (E30, E40), which per the manufacturer form a durable base with good drainage; the E30 tile is 4 cm thick. For the horse walker the Ecoraster comes as a preconfigured set. A level, load-bearing area is required in any case.
Is a roof worth it?
A roof makes the horse walker usable in any weather. For this the catalogue offers a roof with galvanised IPE 160 beams and a Stabipol GRP roof (15° pitch) as well as separate lunging roofs. Whether the outlay is worth it depends on the intended use and the site.
Horse walker or round pen — what is the difference?
A horse walker mechanically moves several horses at once along a fixed track. A round pen is a fenced circular area for lunging individual horses. This guide covers the horse walker; for lunging the catalogue offers its own roofs.

Sources and verification

Animal Protection Ordinance (TSchV), SR 455.1— Art. 2 (definitions: use, turnout), Art. 61 (exercise). Verified directly against the full text; no official English version exists, the German text is authoritative (as at 1 February 2026).
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)— Fact sheets on the keeping and exercise of horses; general reference.
stallkonzept product catalogue: Horse walker & arena— Models, diameters, fencing, roofing and footing per the manufacturer's specifications (Geert en Henk).