The story of “KIT”, loyal team member at Stal den Bisschop
When Equestrian Technology asked us at Stal den Bisschop if we wanted to test a HarrowBot, we were hesitant at first. Did we really need this for our stable?
Every morning, our two sons harrowed the arena using a tractor and a traditional drag. It worked perfectly fine and, in our opinion, it didn’t take that much time. When things got busy or one of our sons had to leave for a competition, they would simply wake up a little earlier to prepare the arena first. That was just part of the routine.
After only a few days of using the HarrowBot on our arena, we quickly noticed that it actually did the job better than the traditional drag. The arena surface became more even and there were no more holes around the jumps. With the regular drag, these areas were harder to level properly after intensive use.
After a longer period, we also noticed that the sand in the corners was no longer being pushed away as it was with the traditional drag, which probably means the arena needs full levelling less often.
These were already two major advantages that really made us think. And of course, it’s also great to arrive at the stable in the morning and see a perfectly groomed arena without having to do anything yourself! That’s when you realize how much time was actually spent maintaining the arena.
The team at Equestrian Technology no longer had to convince us to purchase the HarrowBot.
Meanwhile, our “KIT”, as we call him, has been working with us for 6 months already and we are extremely satisfied! Through the app, we can easily adjust commands. And KIT always listens!
We are a family business without employees, but KIT has become our reliable team member.
And whenever we have questions or encounter problems, the Equestrian Technology team helps us very quickly. They monitor and support everything remotely.
Ludo Philippaerts: the impact of the HarrowBot on our daily life
How has the HarrowBot changed our daily life?
I am Ludo Philippaerts. Together with my four sons, I run the company We Live Horses in Oudsbergen. We are active in buying and selling horses, and my children also compete at top level in show jumping.
The HarrowBot has truly changed the way we work. It operates at night and ensures that the arenas are perfectly levelled. In the past, we often had to do this manually or with a tractor, but that is now almost completely a thing of the past.
Today, we no longer need a tractor or additional staff for daily arena maintenance. Every morning when we arrive, the surface is perfectly flat and ready to use.
Even after a full day of intensive riding or lunging, the arena is perfectly level again the next morning. This makes a huge difference in quality and efficiency.
I believe this system can be useful for many people. The HarrowBot keeps the footing consistently even, which is essential in our daily work. You can use the arena all day, and it still stays perfectly regular.
It may still be an investment today, but I am convinced it will become the standard in the coming years. This is clearly the future of arena maintenance.
I also think it is very beneficial for the horses. A consistent surface is better for their joints and tendons. It provides more stability and reduces strain, which is essential in our sport.
We have had a few minor issues here and there, but the service has always been excellent. Every time we call, someone quickly comes to help, even on weekends.
In short, we are very satisfied with the HarrowBot and what it brings to our daily life.
The impact of the HarrowBot according to Gregory Wathelet
I am Gregory Wathelet, international show jumper and member of the Belgian jumping team.
What made me decide to invest? Of course, we tested the machine, and we quickly realized that it was efficient and worked perfectly. It moves very smoothly around obstacles, which is essential for us.
For me, the quality of arena grooming is very important, and that is also what convinced me to take the step and invest.
The robot is, of course, a long-term investment. It should be seen as something placed over several years, a tool that keeps performing and is quickly and easily amortized, mainly thanks to the time and labour savings.
Today, these new technologies are part of our evolution. There is a lot of talk about innovation and practical, efficient solutions in every field.
I am somewhat between two generations. In the past, we did many things manually, in a more traditional way. Today, you have to move with the times: we no longer write on paper but on our phones, and we send emails instead of faxes.
All of this is part of that transition. And I believe it is important to adapt and use the tools that make work simpler and more efficient.
Yanna Denis: innovation serving equestrian stables
Hello, my name is Yanna Denis and I am the owner of Écurie du Moulin à Perwez, a stable specialized in dressage and private horse boarding.
I had the first spark when I discovered the HarrowBot on Instagram. I immediately thought it would be a real time saver for stables, but also a real improvement in quality thanks to the possibility of grooming the arenas several times a day.
What impresses me the most about the HarrowBot is the technology behind it. I find it incredible to be able to launch a robot that maintains the arenas completely autonomously and adapts itself according to the footing conditions.
Of course, the HarrowBot represents a significant investment, but it allows us to save at least one hour of work every day by no longer having to groom the arenas ourselves.
That extra hour allows us to spend more time on stable maintenance and horse care.
Dimitre De Koker: consistent quality thanks to the HarrowBot
My name is Dimitre De Koker, and about a year and a half ago we launched Out of Passion Stables. Our goal is to create the perfect environment for training show jumping horses. We want to offer the very best to both our horses and our customers.
I like new things and I enjoy trying new technologies. The HarrowBot was something innovative that immediately caught my attention because of the way it works.
From the very first use, seeing the result gave me a very satisfying feeling.
When we built this facility, the most important thing for me was achieving the highest possible quality: the sand, the drainage, the materials — absolutely everything.
And to maintain that quality every single day, we needed a solution capable of working in exactly the same way day after day. That is exactly what we found with the HarrowBot.
Every morning when we start the day, the arena is in perfect condition. That immediately gives you motivation and enjoyment to begin working. It is a great way to start the day.
I believe everyone can benefit from this kind of solution because it brings real consistency to arena maintenance. In my opinion, maintenance represents more than 50% of an arena’s quality.
Of course, during competitions you still need a tractor. But apart from competitions, no tractor enters our arena anymore.
At our stable, the robot has become part of the team. Everyone talks to it because it even has a name: Hubert. Today, everyone talks to Hubert and everyone enjoys having Hubert around.