Does anyone take their horses swimming???

A couple of horses out our yard have been swimming as they weer recovering from tendon/ligament injuries, I think they benefitted quite a bit from it.
 
Yep! Do it all the time with mine to avoid unnecessary concussion when getting them fit. I'm a great advocate of it, and have discussed it on here before. They don't need "lessons" in it...they tend to automatically learn how. All pools have a gradual ramp in to allow the horse to take its time when they enter.

The only advise I would give is if, after your horse's first time, you are planning to go XC, go schooling first, just to reassure the horse about the depth of water it will encounter on a course. I haven't ever found that it deters a horse from water, but was told by the racehorse trainer we do it with to double check as it reassures them.
 
I use to take my horse swimming, he loved it and swam like a fish but my friends horse didn't like it at all and had to be pulled along and taken out, so I've got mixed feelings now.
 
I would love to to aid my horses recovery from a tendon injury. I think that Medstead Grange do hydrotherapy near me but am unsure.

Does anyone take their horses to the beach- for salt water therapy as opposed for fun!?
 
The boys at Higher Spen on Saturday:

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I just worry about them having a complete paddy...

Hannah is a strange creature, and Grace doesn't need any stress while she is recovering from colic surgery. But it is something I have been thinking about for a while.

How gorgeous does Ged look!!!
 
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Thanks I'll tell him
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I was really worried too the first time I took them. Haj tends to take everything in his stride but if Ged decides he doesn't want to do something he'll stand right up on his back legs and throw himself to the floor - not something I want him doing at his age. But the staff at Higher Spen are very patient and well used to all sorts of horses most of which have never swum before. Strangely for a horse who can be very mistrusting of new places and things and who will do anything to avoid walking in a puddle he went in the first time without so much as an argument. Haj was the one who planted for a few minutes then went in with a huge splash.

Saturday was their second time and both went in straight away - they really do seem to enjoy it.
 
We were going to take Sov last year after his water phobia reached epic proportions!!
We used to take my old jumping pony down to Southport beach 3 times a week during the summer jumping season, I think it helped her keep ultra fit and took the sting out of her legs. Have often used the sea for horses that are on rehab work, the resistance of the water is excellentfor muscle development without the concussion of fast work.
 
I used to take Chloe swimming and she loved it and Mac went on the Equine Water treadmill as pasrt ofhis post op recovery.

I defintily think they help, unfortunatly it couldn't do anything for his navicular although it highlighted where the problem was very quickly and early on.

When they're both fully well I think it would be a good idea.
 
I sent my horse swimming and it helped him BUT if done regularly it builds up the muscle under the neck and it is also not that great for pelvis or back problems.

Apart from the colic I don't really know your horses' history so I would recommend that you speak to your physio/chiropractor and ask their advice first.
 
Do you swim your horses at ew? Just strikes me that she is in your area and has a lovely pool.
 
Neither have back problems at all...
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For grace it is more for her suspensory ligament than for the colic
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Hannah is in full work, so it just a change for her really
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I haven't taken mine swimming but I know from studying it in my degree that even though it's great for leg injuries it puts a huge strain on the back, pelvis and neck- as they strain to keep their heads above water.

It's like everything there are pro's and con's
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Personally I prefer mine to be in a hydrotherapy spa where you can control the maximum height of the water, & more importantly get one out bloody quick if there is a problem. Didnt a horse drown recently in an equine swimming pool? Also I agree not good for backs & under neck muscles.
 
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Do any of you guys reckon that it would help a horse get over a water phobia? Or make it worse!?

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No, mine wouldn't go anywhere near a puddle or a water jump but would swim in the sea - go figure.
 
Ouija_Board - my horse used to lather up if he came into contact with water - even if it just rained! However he went straight into the pool (with a little encouragement from behind). After day one (he was there for 2 weeks) he went in very smoothly every day.

He is much better to be washed now, but I still wouldn't leave him tied up to do it, he doesn't sweat up at being out in the rain. However being a dressage horse I've never had any cause to ride him through water so I don't know how he would be with that, although he will go through small puddles when hacking.

The answer is possibly yes, possibly no. I think it would depend on the experience the first time and the handlers.
 
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I haven't taken mine swimming but I know from studying it in my degree that even though it's great for leg injuries it puts a huge strain on the back, pelvis and neck- as they strain to keep their heads above water.

It's like everything there are pro's and con's
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That is why I pferef paddling in the sea, betweem knee and elbow height, also the often drop the head and lift their shoulder, so its a bonus all round!
 
Well Chloe used to charge off to jump in any water she saw, not sure if it was the swimming that caused that.

Never had a back problem from it and she didn'tbuild up incorrect muscles either.

The equine treadmill they don't swim they walk or trot (some canter) but with the added boyency of the water which in theory keeps the strain off the joints whilst helping build up fitenss and muscle.
 
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