Ridecamp: [RC] Swimming with horses (long)

I've had two new articles published this past month, one in Horse and
Rider Magazine, and the other on "Equisearch Online". 
Thought you might enjoy reading one.... as I'm sure you can relate to the
subjects. Here's the one from Equisearch, which is illustrated by the
photo of Kate, from Russia, on our black Arabian stallion, Shiraz,
Cynthia on the Orlov, Halloween, and Ron on the Orlov and Pan Am
finisher, Nikita:

Swimming with Horses:

One of my personal favorite photos shows my Arabian, Gabriel, and me
galloping deep in the surf, looking like free spirits. However, it took
me twenty minutes to get Gabe into the ocean for that photo. Smart horse!
 Most horses see no good reason to enter the ocean........there is
nothing to eat there, they can't drink the water, and they would be
hindered escaping from predators while running in water. And at our
Northern California location, the water temperature is only in the high
50's, year round. However, some horses seem to want to head for China the
first time they are introduced to the ocean. 

Not a good idea.....since about one in ten horses sinks instead of swims
when initially immersed in deep water. However, if you have always
dreamed of swimming with your horse, introduce deep water gradually, and
teach your horse to perform this new task as thoughtfully as you would
any performance endeavor. The company of a mellow companion ridden by a
friend experienced with ocean swimming would be a real asset. Choose a
warm day when the surf is calm. For safety, ride bareback and barefoot.
(Soaked saddles and boots might weigh both of you down.) To begin, keep
close to the shallows in firm sand footing, letting your horse get used
to waves slapping against his legs and then belly. He'll likely
"passage" when you ask for trot in shallow water, as the extra
effort to pull his hooves out of the trappy footing will result in
exaggerated leg action. Practice riding parallel to the beach, in both
directions, to acclimate both eyes to the ocean side and land side views.
Also practice riding both into and out of the surf at right angles to the
beach, so your horse knows which way to head for dry land. In localities
with strong swells, rip tides and back flow, a horse with his body
broadside to the ocean can literally be swept off his feet......choose a
safer venue by asking locals or rangers for recommendations. Beware of
submerged rocks, driftwood or forests of seaweed. Find a place where
there is not a shallow shelf which drops off precipitously into deep
water.....remember, we want all changes to happen gradually.

When your horse is in belly deep water parallel to shore, there will come
a moment when the next wave floats him. Steer him towards shore, so just
a few "dog paddles" will get him back onto firm footing. If he
seemed to enjoy the experience, take another diagonal track back into
deeper water, letting him swim for 15 -20 seconds. Be careful not to let
back flow carry your swimming steed further away from shore. Horses get
quite used to swimming in the ocean, and some do actually seem to enjoy
it. . Stay on the top of or beside your swimming horse, floating above
him holding his mane to stay connected. If you get in front of or under
him, a paddling hoof can quite easily break your leg. Don't use the reins
as a tow rope.......keep most slack out, and be careful not to let them
wind around your wrist (or neck!). Although horses which are swum
in an equine exercise pool may build up to half hour sessions, with tide
and wave action, your horse will tire after 5 to 10 minutes in the ocean.
Build up one minute each swim.

Horses also sometimes become "sea-sick" when first introduced
to ocean riding next to surging wave action. They stagger and sway as the
waves come in and out. One friend, treating her Grand Prix level stallion
on a beach ride, had him faint underneath her when they were belly deep.
Luckily, horses float; she held his nose above water and floated him to
shore like an ungainly canoe. As soon as his body hit firm ground, he got
up, shook himself off, and looked quite chagrined. 

Once you and your horse have mastered this new game, the next thing is to
get someone down on the beach to take your picture!

Lari


"What unites us all is a love of the out-of-doors, a spirit of
adventure, and a passion for horses!"

Lari
Shea

       

        

        

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phone
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