Abstract:
An animal exerciser system includes a drive cable adjacent to an enclosed exercise course having a path for exercising an animal. Vertical panels are coupled to the drive cable and define an exercise space for confining the animal. Drive wheels move the drive cable longitudinally in a generally horizontal direction to incite an animal within the exercise space to move along the path and through the exercise course. The panels are coupled to the drive cable by flexible couplers and can be configured to give the animal an electric shock to incite it to move. The path can be non-circular, such as a path with straight sections, or non-straight sections of various shapes (e.g, a bend or a zig-zag), and can traverse varying terrain. A control module controls the speed and direction of the movement of the drive cable and can move the drive cable according to a programmed workout routine for the animal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/710,662 filed on Oct. 5, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to one or more devices, systems, and methods of an exerciser system for animals. Specific examples of embodiments of this invention relate to an exerciser system for animals, such as horses, including one or more panels with flexible connectors configured so that the course or path of the animal can be varied. 
         [0003]    Exercise systems for animals typically consist of a circular course or path designed around a central pivot point, For example, conventional walkers for horses are designed to walk the horse in a circle around a central pivot point. The circumference of such a conventional “panel walker” (or European Hot Walker, Eurocizer, Eurociser, or EuroXciser) is determined by the length of the arms radiating from the central pivot to the animal. The central pivot is motor driven, so that it can rotate the central pivot and extending arms to push the animals into motion around the circular course or path. 
         [0004]    Such a conventional panel walker can cause repetitive circular motion injuries and stresses to the animal; for example, a horse walking in a 20-foot circle can cause injury or strain to the hip, leg, knee, or hoof on the interior of the circle. Also, such a conventional panel walker does not have an emergency response system; if a horse falls down, trips, is stuck, or is otherwise unable to continue moving, the conventional panel walker cannot sense and respond to such an emergency, such as by stopping the conventional panel walker or calling for help. Such a conventional panel walker is also limited to being placed on a circular flat terrain; for example, the conventional panel walker cannot be placed on a straight, narrow path that may extend 300 feet, a rectangular path that may extend 200 feet, a zigzagged path that may extend in an amorphous or irregular shape, or the like. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise system for animals that overcomes these shortcomings. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a system that can be configured so that the course or path of the animal can be varied, that helps prevent injuries to the animal, that can be placed on varying terrain, and that can include an emergency response system. 
         [0006]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in this specification and the appended claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, there is provided an animal exerciser system that includes a drive cable or chain disposed adjacent to an enclosed exercise course having a path for exercising an animal. At least one generally vertical panel is coupled to the drive cable and defines an exercise space for confining the animal. The system includes a drive means for moving the drive cable longitudinally in a generally horizontal direction, so that the panel can incite an animal within the exercise space to move along the path and through the exercise course. In one preferred embodiment of the system, the drive cable comprises an overhead cable, and in another embodiment, the drive cable is disposed at a height below the top of the panel, e.g. at a shoulder height or chest height. The panel is coupled to the drive cable by a flexible coupler. In one embodiment, the panel is configured to give the animal an electric shock sufficient to incite the animal to move. Preferably, the drive means can move the drive cable longitudinally in either direction. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, an animal exerciser system according to the invention includes a drive cable disposed adjacent to an enclosed exercise course having a path for exercising an animal; a rein for coupling the drive cable to the animal; and a drive means for moving the drive cable longitudinally in a generally horizontal direction whereby the rein incites the animal to move along the path and through the exercise course. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the invention, the exercise course can include a non-circular path for exercising the animal, such as a path that has one or more straight, long sections. In other configurations, the path can include non-straight sections of various shapes, such as a bend or a zig-zag section, and/or can traverse varying terrain. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the invention, the animal exerciser system includes drive control means for controlling the speed and direction of the movement of the drive cable. The control module can be programmed to move the drive cable according to a programmed workout routine for the animal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of the appended drawing figures, where like numerals designate like elements: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a drive wheel, an overhead cable, and multiple panels; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the animal exerciser system  100  of  FIG. 1 , showing the area in which the exercise course is enclosed; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the enclosed area includes a path that bends near the middle; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the enclosed area has partially rectangular shape with half ovals at the ends; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing placement of the panels to provide enough space between two of the panels for an animal to walk, jog, or run; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing portions of the enclosed area configured to have a varying terrain; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a control module and a gate for loading animals into and unloading animals from the enclosed area; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the panel positioned to deliver a small electric charge to an animal to urge it to move; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a section of an animal exerciser system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a horse tied to the overhead cable via a rein and a halter, bridle, or other head gear; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of an animal exerciser system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with an entrance gate for allowing animals and trainers to enter or exit the enclosed area; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with an entrance gate implemented using a prefabricated overhead gate; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the path encircles a hill, boulder, or other obstruction so that the enclosed area has an amorphous or irregular shape; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of panel of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the panel coupled on the side to waist-high or chest-high cable rather than an overhead cable; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a top view of the panel of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 13 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of a control module of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The present invention includes an exerciser system for animals in which the course or path the animal takes during exercise may be configured into any suitable shape or dimension. The exercise course or path of the exerciser system of the present invention may be varied to adapt to changing needs of the animal, trainer, or other reason. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electric panels (e.g., panel  107 ) that push or urge the animal through the exercise course or path are mounted on a flexible chain, cable, or track (e.g., overhead cable  105 ). The electric panels  107  are electrically charged and fitted to the chain, cable, or track, so that the electric panels will travel along the exercise course and push the animal in front of them. The present invention allows the animal trainer to design the shape, length, and other details of the exercise course, because the electric panels with the flexible chain, cable, or track can be configured as the animal trainer desires. The layout of the exercise course or path can be any design and over any type of terrain. In addition, the animal trainer can receive input from a veterinarian on ergonomically desirable designs for both the animal and the environment. For example, it may be beneficial for horses to have long straight exercise courses, zigzag courses, large oval courses, or any other shape or configuration. By allowing the veterinarian and the animal trainer to design the exercise course, the exercise system of the present invention can alleviate stress and injury to the animal due to conventional panel walker systems (such as repetitive circular motion injuries and stresses). 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an animal exerciser system  100  includes a support beam  101  (which can be in an upright position or at any angle), one or more driving wheels  103  coupled to the support beam  101 , an overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheels  103 , and a panel  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105  via one or more flexible panel connectors  109 . A shroud  111  can be coupled or positioned over the driving wheels  103  and the support beam  101  to cover and protect them. The animal exerciser system  100  can use existing ski lift parts and technology for easy manufacturing of the various components. The connectors  109  preferably are flexible, as explained below, and can move with the chain, or track or cable  105  used to drive the motion of the panels. The connectors  109  can be similar to of not exactly like products used to connect ski lift chairs to their drive cables, In this configuration, the connectors  109  can be sufficiently flexible to allow for movement and sway of panels as they are pulled along by the overhead cable  105 . 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a control module  705  or  1500  (illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  11  and  15 , but not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can control the driving wheels  103  and overhead cable  105  to direct the driving wheels  103  and overhead cable  105  to move, so that the panel  107  pushes or incites an animal  113  to move. When power (electrical or other power) is delivered to the driving wheels  103 , the driving wheels  103  move the overhead cable  105  (for example, in the x direction (or the reverse direction)) and in turn the overhead cable  105  moves the panel  107  (for example, in the x direction (or the reverse direction)), so that the panel  107  pushes or incites the animal  113  to move (for example, in the x direction (or the reverse direction)). The panel  107  can be an electric panel that gives an electric charge (or small jolt of electricity) to the animal  113  when it contacts the panel  107 . The panel  107  does not need to be an electric panel, but rather, the panel  107  can mechanically push or gently nudge the animal  113  to move and exercise. The panel  107  can be mounted onto the overhead cable  105  and preferably is made of a flexible material (or otherwise configured in a way) so that the panel  107  can fold back or flex out of the way in case the animal  113  stops, falls, or gets stuck without being able to move. In addition, since the panel  107  is flexible, it can easily be folded out of the way so that a tractor or other device can condition the footing of the path where the animal  113  exercises. Still further, since the panel  107  is flexible, if the animal  113  gets stalled, falls, or is otherwise unable to move, the panel  107  can simply flex, bend, or fold back, so that the panel  107  can pass the animal  113  without injuring it. 
         [0030]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the animal exerciser system  100 . The driving wheels  103  and overhead cable  105  can be configured like driving wheels and overhead cables used in ski lifts and similar technology. In one embodiment, the drive wheel  103  can be made of steel with an outer rubberized rim to grip the cable or chain  105 . The drive wheel  103  can be solid or spoked with a center pivot point. It may also have gear-type teeth if a chain  105  is used. The drive wheel or wheels will be similar to, if not exactly the same as, equipment that is used to drive ski lifts chairs. The cable  105  will most likely be braided or twisted steel. Its size will be determined based on the load and capacity necessary for its purpose of supporting and moving the panels  107 . As the driving wheels  103  and overhead cable  105  move, the animal  113  is forced to move between one or more panels  107 . The space between the one or more panels  107  can be varied depending on the size of the animal  113  or as desired by the trainer. The one or more panels  107  are driven or moved by the overhead cable  105  (coupled or mounted to the one or more panels  107 ). 
         [0031]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates coupling one or more panels  107  to the overhead cable  105  via one or more flexible panel connectors  109 . Since the flexible panel connectors  109  are flexible, bendable, or otherwise configurable, the panels  107  are not rigid (but instead can flex, bend, or otherwise be configured). Since the panels  107  are not rigid but can flex with the animal  113 , it can help prevent injury to the animal  113  (should the animal  113  come to an abrupt stop, trip, become unstable, or fall). Panel  107  can be a prefabricated panel gate, preferably made of a light weight material, such as aluminum, steel or a type of carbon fiber etc. Examples of potentially suitable gates are horse panels or square configured hog panels manufactured by Priefert Manufacturing of Mount Pleasant, Tex., or Powder River, Inc. of Provo, Utah. The panel connector  109  will be most likely me made of steel, cable, and or rubberized material or any combination of those materials. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the animal exerciser system  100  is enclosed in an enclosed area  201  and includes the support beam  101 , one or more driving wheels  103  and/or a big drive wheel  103   a  coupled to one or more support beams  101 , the overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheels  103  and/or big drive wheel  103   a , and the panel  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105  via a flexible panel connector  109 . A shroud  111  can be coupled or positioned over the driving wheels  103  and/or the big drive wheel  103   a  and the support beam  101  to cover and protect them. The space between the one or more panels  107  creates an exercise space  208  for the animal  113  and can be varied depending on the size of the animal  113  or as desired by the trainer. The exercise space  208  illustrates the space between the one or more panels  107  from the perspective of where the animal  113  is positioned and the space to the next panel  107  of the enclosed area  201 . In this exemplary embodiment, enclosed area  201  is in the shape of a rectangle with semicircular ends, but enclosed area  201  can be virtually any shape depending on the desires of the trainer and the terrain that the animal exerciser system  100  is located on. 
         [0033]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a top view, an animal exerciser system  100  is enclosed in an enclosed area  201  and includes an exterior fence  301 , an interior middle fence  303 , the overhead cable  105  coupled to the panel  107 , and the shroud  111  coupled or positioned over the driving wheels  103  (not shown) and the support beam  101  (not shown). The exterior fence  301  encloses the enclosed area  201  where the animal  113  (not shown) will exercise. The interior middle fence  303  divides the enclosed area  201 , so that the animal  113  can exercise along a path under the overhead cable  105  starting at any point within the enclosed area  201  with the exterior fence  301  on one side of the animal  113  and the interior middle fence on the other side of the animal  113 . The animal  113  can exercise in any direction along the path within the enclosed area  201 . The panel  107  pushes the animal  113  to move as the overhead cable  105  moves, and as a result, the animal  113  within the exercise space  208  created between the panels  107  moves. The enclosed area  201  in  FIG. 3  has a partially rectangular shape with half ovals at the ends where the shrouds  111  are positioned and bends near the middle of the enclosed area  201 . It will be understood upon reading this specification, however, that the enclosed area  201  can have any shape and configuration. 
         [0034]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  as a top view, an animal exerciser system  100  is enclosed in an enclosed area  201  and includes the exterior fence  301 , the interior middle fence  303 , the overhead cable  105  coupled to the panel  107 , and the shroud  111  coupled or positioned over the driving wheels  103  (not shown) and the support beam  101  (not shown). The exterior fence  301  encloses the enclosed area  201  where the animal  113  (not shown) will exercise. The interior middle fence  303  divides the enclosed area  201 , so that the animal  113  can exercise along a path under the overhead cable  105  starting at any point within the enclosed area  201  with the exterior fence  301  on one side of the animal  113  and the interior middle fence on the other side of the animal  113  The animal  113  can exercise in any direction along the path within the enclosed area  201 . A compartment  401  (such as the exercise space  208 ) for the animal  113  is created between two or more panels  107 . The panel  107  pushes the animal  113  to move as the overhead cable  105  moves, and as a result, the compartment  401  created between the panels  107  and thus the animal  113  moves. The enclosed area  201  in  FIG. 4  has a partially rectangular shape with half ovals at the ends where the shrouds  111  are positioned. The enclosed area  201  can have any shape and configuration. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the animal exerciser system  100 . The animal exerciser system  100  includes the support beam  101  (which can be in an upright position or angled), one or more driving wheels  103  coupled to the support beam  101 , the overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheel(s)  103 , and one or more panels  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105  via a flexible panel connector  109 . The shroud  111  can be coupled or positioned over the driving wheel(s)  103  and the support beam  101  to cover and protect them.  FIG. 5  illustrates one configuration of placing the panels  107  in order to have enough space (such as exercise space  208 ) between two of the panels  107  for the animal  113  to walk, jog, or run. The direction in which the one or more driving wheels  103 , and consequently, the overhead cable  105 , and consequently, the panels  107 , and consequently, the exercise space  208  can be in one direction (for example, the x direction) or in another direction (for example, in reverse of the x direction). 
         [0036]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the animal exerciser system  100 . The animal exerciser system  100  includes one or more support beams  101  (which can be in an upright position or angled), one or more driving wheels  103  coupled to the support beam  101 , the overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheel(s)  103 , and one or more panels  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105  via a flexible panel connector  109 . The shroud  111  can be coupled or positioned over the driving wheel(s)  103  and the support beam  101  to cover and protect them. The side view of the animal exerciser system  100  in  FIG. 6  illustrates one configuration of varying the shape of the enclosed area  201  or being able to position the enclosed area over hills and other uneven terrain. This configuration allows for different types of terrain for the animal  113  (not shown) to walk, jog, or run, For example, in  FIG. 6 , parts of a fence  607  of the enclosed area  201  can be positioned in a zigzag, up and down hilts, or any other shape or configuration to be versatile on differing terrain. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 15 , the animal exerciser system  100  can be located in the enclosed area  201  (not shown) (such as an animal pen). A gate  703 , which can be opened to provide an entrance into the enclosed area  201 , allows access to the enclosed area  201  so that the animals can be put into or taken out of the enclosed area  201 . A fence  607  encloses the enclosed area  201 . A control module  1500  includes a control panel  705  for receiving control inputs from an operator of the system, and is mounted on the fence  607  (or alternatively can be located on the animal exerciser system  100  or at another location). The control module  1500  can be configured or programmed to direct the driving wheels  103  to move the cable  105  and panel  107  into motion. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the control panel  705  includes operator switches or buttons and a display screen  1505 . Power (electric, solar, or any other power) is delivered to the driving wheels  103  by pushing an on/off power switch  1501  on the control panel  705 . When power is delivered to the driving wheels  103  (for example, the control module  1500  turns on the animal exerciser system  100 ), the driving wheels  103  move the overhead cable  105 , and the overhead cable  105  moves the panel  107  so that the panel  107  pushes or incites the animal  113  (not shown) to move. The control module  1500  can also be used to advance the panels  107  in a manual mode (for example, for loading and unloading the animal  113 ). This manual mode is controlled by an advance manually button  1507  of the control panel  705 . The control panel  705  can include an on/off electrify button  1503  for controlling electricity to each panel  107 , so that the ability of each panel  107  to deliver an electric charge to the animal  113  can be controlled individually. For example, the first three panels  107  can have the electric charge turned on while the next two panels  107  have the electric charge turned off. As such, the “shocking” ability of each panel  107  can be controlled and programmed individually. 
         [0039]    The control module  1500  can control the speed and direction at which the panel  107  moves. The control module  1500  can be configured or programmed, via one or more program buttons  1509  on the control panel  705 . For example, the control module  1500  can be configured or programmed with one or more workout routines for the animal  113  (such as 5 minutes walking at 20 minute per mile pace, then 2 minutes jogging at 10 minute per mile pace, then 3 minutes walking at 15 minute per mile pace, then 2 minutes running at 7 minute per mile pace, etc.). The control module  1500  can he configured or programmed to direct the driving wheels  103  to move the overhead cable  105  and panel  107  in one direction, then backwards, and continue to vary. The control module  1500  can he configured or programmed to direct the driving wheels  103  to move the overhead cable  105  and panel  107  at a particular time, to continue for a particular amount of time, and to turn on and off at certain times of the day, week, or month. The control module  1500  can be configured or programmed to direct the panel  107  to include an electric charge or to move at a specified speed (or at varying speeds). The control module  1500  can be configured or programmed to monitor the electric charge and the motion of the animal  113  in case there is an error or emergency, so that the control module  1500  can automatically shut-off and stop the animal exerciser system  100  and alert the trainer that there is a problem. The control module  1500  and control panel  705  can be implemented using a control module and control panel from an existing exercise system with suitable modifications to it to direct the animal exerciser system  100  of the present invention. For example, the control module  1500  can be configured or programmed to include varying workout routines, warm-up routines, and cool down routines for the animals. A start program button  1511  on the control panel  705  can begin one of the workout routines that were previously programmed or configured in the control module  1500 . 
         [0040]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8  illustrates a partial view of the animal exerciser system  100  including the overhead cable  105  in motion. The panel  107  is coupled to the overhead cable  105  via the flexible panel connector  109 . In this embodiment, the panel  107  is electrically charged. When the overhead cable moves, the panel  107  moves. The panel  107  contacts the animal  113  and delivers a small electric charge (illustrated as a charged bolt  803 ) to the animal  113 , so that the animal  113  is incited to move and thereby to exercise. Of course, the panel  107  does not need to be electrically charged; rather, the panel  107  can simply push the animal  113  to move and thereby to exercise. In this way, the panel  107  can have the electric charge on it turned on or off by the trainer via a manual switch located on the animal exerciser system  100  (or alternatively, a switch component integrated into the control panel  705  can be used to turn the electric charge on or off). 
         [0041]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9  illustrates a partial view of the animal exerciser system  100  including the overhead cable  105  in motion without the panel  107 . The overhead cable  105  can be coupled to a rein  901  via the flexible panel connector  109  (or any other type of connector). The rein  901  is coupled to the animal  113  via a halter, bridle, or other head gear  903 . In this exemplary embodiment, as the overhead cable  105  moves, the rein  901  pulls the animal  113  via the halter, bridle, or other head gear  903  into motion and thereby causes the animal to exercise. 
         [0042]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 10  as a top view, an animal exerciser system  100  is enclosed in an enclosed area  201  and includes multiple support beams  101  (not shown) to support multiple driving wheels  103  (each wheel  103  coupled to each support beam  101 ), the overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheels  103 , and each panel  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105  via the flexible panel connector  109 . The entrance gate  703  allows entry and exit of the enclosed area  201  by the animal(s)  113  or trainer (not shown). The space between the one or more panels  107  creates an exercise space  208  for the animal  113  and can be varied depending on the size of the animal  113  or as desired by the trainer. The exercise space  208  illustrates the space between the one or more panels  107  from the perspective of where the animal  113  is positioned and the space to the next panel  107  of the enclosed area  201 . In this exemplary embodiment, enclosed area  201  is in the shape of a rectangle with semicircular ends, but enclosed area  201  can be virtually any shape depending on the desires of the trainer and the terrain that the animal exerciser system  100  is located on. 
         [0043]    The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the animal exerciser system  100 , which includes multiple support beams  101  (not shown) to support multiple driving wheels  103  (not shown). In this embodiment, as described below in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 12 , the panel is attached to a cable  105  that is waste or chest high, rather than an overhead. The animal exerciser system  100  includes a panel support arm  706  coupled to the panel  107  via the flexible panel connector  109 . The side view of the animal exerciser system  100  in  FIG. 11  illustrates one configuration of placing the panels  107  in order to have enough space between two of the panels  107  for the animal  113  to walk, jog, or run. The area to the right of  1500  on  FIG. 11  shows an entry gate  703  into the enclosed area  201  implemented using a prefabricated overhead gate. 
         [0044]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 12  as a top view, an animal exerciser system  100  is enclosed in an enclosed area  201  and includes multiple support beams  101  (not shown) to support multiple driving wheels  103  (each wheel  103  coupled to each support beam  101 ), the overhead cable  105  coupled to the driving wheels  103 , and each panel  107  coupled to the overhead cable  105 . In this exemplary embodiment, enclosed area  201  is in an amorphous or irregular type of shape, but enclosed area  201  can be virtually any shape depending on the desires of the trainer and the terrain that the animal exerciser system  100  is located on. For example, this type of amorphous shape may be used where there may be a hill, boulder, or other obstruction, so that the animal exerciser system  100  can go around, over, or under these types of obstructions. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of a panel  107  coupled to a cable  105  of an animal exerciser system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  illustrates a top view of the animal exerciser system  100  of  FIG. 13  and shows one possible embodiment of a panel attachment to the cable  105  having a flexible connector. A support arm  706  is coupled to the cable  105  via a swivel or sway component  708  to allow movement. An electric supply to the panel is provided for a shocking to keep animals moving. In this embodiment, the panel  107  is attached to a cable  105  that is waist or chest high rather than overhead. 
         [0046]    The animal exerciser system  100  of the present invention can be configured as a long straight path (or course) of any distance, a rectangular path (or course), an oval path (or course), or any other configuration or shape. Since the animal exerciser system  100  has flexible panel connectors  109  and easy to exchange panels  107 , the shape or configuration of the path or course for which the animal  113  will exercise can be easily changed. The ability to select the shape of the path or course and change the shape of the path or course reduces injuries caused by repetitive motion to the animal  113 . The animal exerciser system  100  can accommodate one or more animals and can be expanded or contracted depending on the number of animals that need to have exercise at one time. The conventional “panel walker” is limited in the number of animals that can exercise (depending on the size of the circle the panel walker has). The animal exerciser system  100  of the present invention is not limited in this way. The animal exerciser system  100  of the present invention is also light weight and inexpensive to build. 
         [0047]    In a presently preferred embodiment, the support beam  101  can be made of a prefabricated steel beam or pipe or post. It will be understood after reading this disclosure, however, that the support beam could be constructed of other suitable materials such as concrete or brick, or wood. It could be anything common and exemplifying the structural strength to hold up the motorized driving wheels and cable tension. The one or more driving wheels  103  can be made of sprockets or gears designed to accommodate and move along the cable and or chain or track from which the panels are hung or coupled. The overhead cable  105  can be made of common cable, chain or track such as that which is being used or could be used in a ski lift application. The panel  107  can be fabricated from a light-weight metal (or from any other suitable light-weight material) and can be configured as horizontal bars or in a square or crisscross configuration with a square or rectangular exterior frame. The flexible panel connector  109  can be made flexible with a swivel and or rubberized component to allow for movement and sway. For example, one embodiment could be a design similar to that of the arm attachment from a ski lift chair to the drive cable. The shroud  111  is designed for aesthetics and safety to hide and protect moving components, motors, etc. It can be fabricated out of a molded metal, a fiber glass, or a polycarbonate material, but it is not limited to these materials. 
         [0048]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given above. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. 
         [0049]    Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as “essential” or “critical”.