Agreed. I think a lot of mill makers have went over board in regards to having the free-est turning mill. The hand test has always puzzled me as far as value to the dog. I admit it looks cool but I can't equate it to the dog.

I do not see the value in a dog trying to catch the mill. Pretty much like the video above. I like free and smooth as much as the next guy but I want the dog to do the work, not the dog coupled with gravity and momentum. I do not knock on the slat mill as I have seen some fine mills and some beautifully conditioned dogs coming off of them. It may be because I have more carpet mill experience but I find it more difficult to read the dog on a really free turning slat mill. It could be some personal bias as well.

With that said, I prefer a dog giving his all with all four feet on the ground. If I can choose between sprinting on a mill and sprinting on the ground, I choose the ground 100% of the time. I'm a big fan of sprint type work. The ground, the carpet mill and then the slat mill. In that order. EWO