Holiday horse exercise options - swimming livery

[Polos Mum]

I have a prone to tubby 6.5 y/o who is wonderful but has a strong personality
He's been at home in a stable herd since I bought him as a yearling colt from the field he was born in.
He travels to shows / clinics well and did a lot of time out and about last year - but he's never stayed overnight anywhere.

I'm taking 5 days away this year (first time since Nov-19) and looking at options for him while I'm away.
(someone is coming to house sit the rest of the gang)

I don't really know anyone I'd be happy to ride him for me - instructor isn't local unfortunately
At a recent vet equine obesity talk they mentioned swimming - which sounded great, there is somewhere locally
My reservation (thanks for making this far!) is that he'd go for a week so be in isolation and no turnout for that time. They will put him on the walker 2 x per day.
He lives out 24 / 7 so this would be a massive change.

Is 1 swimming session and 2 x walker going to compensate for standing in the remaining 22.5 hours a day
Is he better off exercise wise just out 24 / 7

Welcome other creative suggestions I've not thought of

 

[sportsmansB]

I'd probably just leave him out 24/7
I do know some event horses who have benefitted from a spa week, however they tend to be kept in large yards with limited turnout etc.
They also always come back super fresh...

 

[TheMule]

Swimming is really hard work and uses different muscles. Intensive swimming with no lead up would do more harm than good IMO, similar to water treadmill.

 

[irishdraft]

Personally I would just give him a short holiday and leave him in his usual routine. I'm also away for 5 days first break since 2019, I have a housesitter booked and am just giving mine a short holiday, they also live out .

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I have sent both my boys swimming with no ill effects. They did day swims and built up gradually to more lengths and I then sent them for 10 days after B had laminitis. The pool is straight rather than round and by the end of their time they were both doing 12 lengths each and B has never put the weight back on. Done properly the benefits outweigh the negatives and for a chubby native it’s an excellent way to boost the metabolism, the effects of which carry on after they have finished swimming.

 

[sbloom]

I'm always concerned by the postural aspects of swimming, the after photos show amazing weight loss but often very poor posture and never improved from the before photo. They have.to have their underneck engaged and back dropped to an extent to swim. I'd want to find a other way.