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Guide: How to swim with your horse

BY Fie Wilken Dømler, Sources: Agria, Volunteer Encounter, Equus Magazine, Horse FactBook
By Fie Wilken Dømler, Sources: Agria, Volunteer Encounter, Equus Magazine, Horse FactBook

In this article, you get a number of good tips on how to get the best possible experience in the water, and what you have to control of before jumping into the waves. In fact, horses are naturally pretty good swimmers. They have large lungs that help them keep their head above waters. As soon as they come into deep water, their legs naturally starts to paddle, so they retain the upward effect.

It is no coincidence that horses are such skilled swimmers. By nature, they must be able to escape from predators on land – even if it means they have to go through deep water. At the same time, they may also risk having to cross rivers and lakes to find food, and here again it is, obviously, necessary that they do not drown trying.

READ ALSO: Why a forest trip is so good for the cooperation on the track for horse and rider

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1. Use old equipment – and maybe try to go bitless

Basically, there is no need to use your finest equipment, when you go to the beach. On one hand, you cannot even wear a saddle if you want to swim with your horse. On the other hand, salt water and fine leather does not go well together. It just ends up being a major cleaning job for you in the end. If you have the possibility, then it is an advantage to ride bitless, for example, with a hackamore or just in the halter, if you can. In this way, the horse avoids too many disturbances that can result in limited breathing or that it gets water into its mouth. And then just one last thing: Remember the riding helmet on your own head.

2. Be aware of the rules

In many countries, it is not all year, that you are allowed to go to the beach with your horse. Therefore, it is a very good idea to keep track of the rules for swimming with your horse on public beaches in your country.

3. Be careful and always bring someone else

Just like when we humans go swimming, it is essential to be careful when taking your horse into water. Do not throw yourself headlong into the waves without examining the conditions first. Is it a safe beach or lake? Is there a lot of current in the water, a good substrate under the water or is it filled with sharp rocks? If swimming is forbidden due to algae or anything like this, it also applies to your horse. At the same time, make sure you have a partner with you on the trip. If something happens, then you can always help each other.

4. Keep an eye on the substrate

As mentioned, it is important to examine the substrate. Some beaches have many rocks in the sandy bottom or larger rocks, which can be difficult to spot due to seaweed. In these cases, it is always the rider’s task to make sure that it is safe for the horse to move into the water. Of course, you should also pay attention to your own safety. Wear some good shoes, so you won’t cut yourself on the rocks, and do not be too close to your horse, as it can easily hit you with its hooves when it starts swimming.

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5. Has your horse tried swimming before?

If you do not already know your horse’s history, do yourself the favor of finding out whether your horse has tried to swim in the water before or not. It can be a scary experience for a horse to encounter waves for the first time if you are by the sea. At the same time, it is not certain that the horse wants to go all the way into the deep water. In that case, you will have to work on it very slowly – so that it will not end up as an unpleasant experience for any of you.

6. A firm grip on the mane – not the reins

Basically, you can sit on the horse (but you do not have to) when it starts to swim – as you will mainly just float over its back. If you do this, you should be careful not to pull on the reins, but instead you should hold on to its mane. Remember to steer the horse parallel to the shoreline and never steer it out as far as possible. It can also be a very good experience to slide down next to your horse, and swim next to it – while still holding on to the mane and very gently in a rope or rein. However, be very careful not to get kicked by the swimming horse’s legs.

7. Enjoy it

Once you have mastered both rues and safety, then all you have to do is enjoy it! It is without a doubt, a completely unique experience to bathe and swim with your horse – regardless of whether you end up in the deeper ocean or just have a lovely walk on the water’s edge.

READ ALSO: 5 advantages of your horse not being rideable

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