Anyone taken there horses swimming?

E

eventing_2012

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 May 2012
Messages
235
Visit site
Just wondered if anyone had taken there horses swimming as a replacement for galloping? Thinking of taking mine to moulten college, just intrigued as to if anyone has been thought and got on....:)
 
I have- it was interesting, and helped my section D get over his 'unsureness' over water but I didn't go back- it was easier to do fast work at home than box him 20 odd miles to the pool. I have pics of him diving headlong into the pool! :D
 
I had a previous horse at swimming livery for about 5 months unfortunately he never came sound again after a suspensory ligament then related shoulder injury. Cost me a fortune. It was a circular pool and it certainly is a good non weight bearing exercise routine however there are some views that the raising of the head (out of the water) puts strain on the back and that a water treadmill is better but I have no personal experience of that. I did take my current mare for a one off swim in winter and bitterly regretted it she got terribly stiff and showed symptoms of being badly tied up although vet took bloods and confirmed she wasn't and it was just severe muscle stiffness due to cold.
 
I worked in a very large raceyard in Oz and nearly all the horses swam regularly during the week.
However it was never a replacement to galloping, they either went on the walker in the afternoon or swam or some horses would swim before or after galloping work and others would swim the morning of a race!
 
One of mine used to swim after a serious tendon injury to try and cut down the amount of galloping he did. I was also told by the physio that swimming could give problems to the back/neck because the horse holds its head in a very unnatural position to swim, but my horse didn't have a problem with it.

The lady at the pool said some horses improved in water jumps because of it but she had heard of it putting some more off the idea of jumping in it. Luckily mine loved the water though and would bound into it wherever it was!!!
 
This is an interesting thread :)

I have heard that swimming is a good compliment, but it can depend on whether your horse is a good swimmer! Yes, apparently some horses swimming technique aren't great and will hinder more than improve, as well as the head carriage. But other than that I think naturally most horses would swim well and it would help compliment fittening.

I wonder whether there are any pools near me in Gloucester? How did you guys find out about the pools you use as its not something you really see advertised!

Sorry to impose on the thread just interested :)
 
I go to a race yard near me (warwickshire/Oxfordshire) but not sure it's open to public. Only £10 and it's both a long pool and round pool so once they've got the hang of going in straight lines you can then build them up to doing laps. Apparently horses can struggle to swim on a curve or circle so you have to get them good at straight lines first. It is VERY scary the first time they swim and like you said some don't really swim great which can do no good at all. Eg I don't swim my top horse as she is older, wise and it's not worth up setting her routine as they can get complications from swimming, colic being the main one. The guys at the yard are so experienced and always swim them the first times in a chiffney to keep there heads up. Now mine swim just head collars. One of mine a very brave horse launched in without hesitation she suddenly went oh **** my feet don't touch the bottom and swam like a thing possessed! the stable lads 2 on each side of her had to run to keep up and keep her head up!! Was a bit scary! Funnily enough she was a bit hesitant the next times and didn't really enjoy it but now she loves it! Some get in and are perfect!
 
Vickijay said:
One of mine used to swim after a serious tendon injury to try and cut down the amount of galloping he did. I was also told by the physio that swimming could give problems to the back/neck because the horse holds its head in a very unnatural position to swim, but my horse didn't have a problem with it.

The lady at the pool said some horses improved in water jumps because of it but she had heard of it putting some more off the idea of jumping in it. Luckily mine loved the water though and would bound into it wherever it was!!!
Click to expand...

WFP had a horse that was put off water through swimming according to his autobiography. Sent a horse for 10 days last year and was pleased with the results and pleased to say she still loves water jumps and came back with a good topline.
 
Just wanted to add to this, I sent my horse to Arden equine pool in Warwickshire for 5 weeks as part of a rehab program for a damaged tendon. It was a bit scarry the first time he went in, but mostly as he had been on box rest for 6 weeks and had been on very restricted movement :eek: He leapt in and did butterfly down the lane! When I went back to see him after 3 weeks he was diving in to the water and loving it!
I feel it would be a useful addition to fattening work, but not exclusive of actual galloping. I wish there was a pool closer to me for a regular visit.
 
Some horses to find it very hard to swim in a circle the first few times and can try and flip backwards so you have to be very careful. All horses were swam the first few times with tail ropes to keep them moving so they understand whats going on.
We always swam in chifneys even though i usually chucked the lead rope in as it was never long enough and horses were steered using a pole which was much easier especially when you were going round more than once.
Most horses loved it and would rush in and we would have to run with them.

Heres a pic of one of the horses who loved swimming, he would swim 4 laps every day which was loads!

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/94091423@N04/8858495348/] 52639_10151237648864246_53843343_o by snooples17, on Flickr[/URL]
 
I have never really seen a horse swim, I am fascinated by it.

Daft question but in the sea do they willingly go out of their depth and swim? Can they swim confidently with a rider or is it a bit unbalancing? I can't even swim that well myself so am most curious!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top