Ever wondered if your horse can swim? Horses can often look disgruntled and be wary of the water when they are first introduced to the water. This article will discuss how well horses can swim and the tricks and safety issues you need to know.
So back to our original question – Can horses swim? Yes, horses can swim and float well without needing to be taught. They seem to have a natural instinct to move their legs in a motion similar to their trot to propel them through the water. However, that doesn’t mean that all horses are great swimmers, nor do they all love being in the water. Here’s what you need to know about horses and water…
How Do Horses Swim?
Like other mammals, horses have a natural instinct to swim when they go into the water. They can swim in rivers, lakes and even oceans.Their technique is quite similar to dogs that kick and push their way forward using their legs.
When submerged in the water, horses will instinctively lift their head over the surface to breathe. Their legs typically move by trotting through the water in a paddle-like manner – the same way they trot on dry land – to maintain their balance and stability in the water. Swimming is physically exhausting for horses due to the natural resistance water provides but it is beneficial for their fitness as well as being a fun activity once they are confident in the water.
Now you may be wondering, can horses breathe underwater or hold their breath? Let’s find out.
Can Horses Breathe Underwater?
Unlike humans, horses cannot hold their breath underwater. They can easily get stressed if their head is under the water. So, if it’s a windy day with big waves, it can be dangerous for your horse to swim, and the risk of drowning is relatively high.
Therefore, it is critical to check the ocean or any swimming area before taking your horse into it. If your horse gets its head underwater, water might run into the ears. Since the horse’s ears’ anatomy has no lower passage that will drain the water, it will build up inside them and cause discomfort and infection. So, it’s crucial to avoid water from getting into their cavity.
But even if horses have a natural swimming ability, it doesn’t mean that they love water. Some have a phobia of it. Here are some of the reasons why:
Can You Ride a Horse While It’s Swimming?
Yes, it is possible to ride a horse while it is swimming but it can be hard and dangerous for the horse. You need to ensure that you’re not getting in your horse’s way and hindering its movement, especially its head. Therefore, you should avoid pulling the reins, and if you need something to hold on to, you may grab the mane for support. It must be able to move freely to lift its head above waves and minimize the risk of drowning. Take note that if your horse starts to paw at the ground, you must jump off quickly because most equines like to take a roll after getting out of the water.
Can Horses Swim in an Open Ocean?
Horses can swim in an open sea or ocean, but it can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared or careful and can’t swim yourself. With that said, you must learn how to swim first before bringing your horse into the water, and it is more advisable to go with other riders too as horses tend to enjoy swimming with other horses. You’d also have someone you can count on since they can lend a helping hand if something does happen in the water.
We also recommend considering the following before riding your horse in the ocean:
- Depth of the water — You need to check if you can get into the shallow water quickly if you need to and if the water gets deep slowly or it has a sudden drop. This is because your horse may find it challenging to find its footing if it has sudden dips.
- The ocean bed — Hard and uneven ground may hurt your horse’s legs, so it’s necessary to check if the ocean bed is either made of sand, rocks or coral.
- Obstacles in the water — Motorboats and even benign driftwood can scare or frighten a horse so this should also be considered.
- Waves — If the waves are too big and your horse cannot keep its head above them, we would advise against swimming in these conditions.
- The current — Strong currents can cause their energy levels to drop quicker. So, if this is the case, you shouldn’t go any further than the horse’s knee-length.
- The rules of the area — Horses might be restricted in some beach areas or shoreline so it’s something you must check beforehand.
- Water safety — You must also check if there are toxic organisms like cyanobacteria or blue algae in the area. You might also have to look out for jellyfish and turtles or even leeches in the water.
- Other people — You also need to make sure that your horse won’t disturb the swimmers or bathers on the beach your horse is swimming at if the beach is for everyone.
How Long Can Horses Swim?
Swimming is a tiring activity for a horse, the strength and effort equines exert during a 10-minute swim can be equal to cantering for several miles. So, they shouldn’t swim for longer than 10 minutes to avoid any injuries or extreme fatigue. Let’s not forget what happened to the 5-year old Australian racehorse Rebel Rover who dumped his jockey and headed into Moreton bay, a 2 hours swim away. Water police and volunteers had to rescue him after getting too fatigued to continue swimming in the middle of the ocean.
Horse’s Fear of Water
Some domestic horses who have been surrounded by water since they were born are comfortable with swimming. But those who have not been exposed to the water from a young age can be very wary and even scared of the water. Here are some reasons why they might be afraid of water:
- The horse’s eyes are located on two sides of the horse’s head, which is advantageous because it helps them see broad scope in their surroundings. However, its downside is it prevents them from perceiving details. Thus, it is natural for them to feel scared and vulnerable when wading into the water because they are unaware of what’s beneath it.
- Horses with bad experiences or past traumas in the water may associate it with something negative. So, bathing and swimming will be more difficult for them.
- Like other animals such as cats and dogs, some horses just don’t like being wet.
This is a process that cannot be rushed, but how can you help your horse to overcome its fears?
The first time a horse experiences being in water or swimming is essential because it’ll shape the horse’s confidence in the water as they mature. So, if your horse had a bad experience in water in the past, it will be afraid and may struggle to swim in the future. It would be best to introduce your horse to water slowly and let it enjoy the experience, rather than training it to swim. Swimming will come as a natural response to the horse.
If your horse is afraid of the water, you can try persuading it that the water in a safe fun environment with other horses. Horses are friendly animals, and if they see that their fellow-creatures are enjoying the sea, their fear will gradually disappear.
Safety Tips in the Water
Swimming with your horse is fun, but it also poses several risks, especially if you’re in an ocean with large waves. So, here are some of the precautionary measures that you must do ahead of time before taking your horse into the water:
- Use a bridle and lead rope and make sure you can freely move your horse’s shoulder away on cue.
- Ensure that there’s no obstacle in the swimming area and no steep drop-offs underwater.
- When swimming in the ocean, check if the seafloor has sand, stones, or coral. Hard and uneven surfaces may hurt and injure your horse’s legs and hoofs while swimming.
- Horses can’t breathe underwater, so it would be best not to swim in the sea if the waves are enormous enough to wash over their heads.
- Remove your horse’s saddle and other equipment that restricts their heads’ upward position as they need free rein to hold it above the surface.
- Get your horse to wade into the water slowly and to come out before it feels nervous.
- Let your horse lunge in a circle that is partly in the water and mostly on the shore.
- When swimming, stay forward of the horse’s wither to avoid getting accidental kicks with its legs.
- Don’t swim for too long. Ten minutes in the water is enough. Since it’s a physically demanding activity, it would be best not to overdo it. Take your horse to the beach after 5 or 7 minutes to take a break and check if it’s breathing returns to normal quickly.
Benefits of Swimming for Horses
Swimming can offer several advantages to your horse, and is often used to train and rehabilitate horses. Here are the perks of spending time in the water with your horse:
It’s an excellent aerobic and cardiovascular exercise
Swimming allows horses to move their legs intensively and increase their limb’s range of motion, which also helps to build their core muscles. Swimming is part of the physiotherapy regimes in many equine pools. It’s a beneficial exercise that enhances muscle growth and heals horses’ serious injuries without carrying their weight or putting unnecessary strain on their bodies during rehabilitation. The water’s resistance will also encourage them to work harder, thus strengthening their heart and lungs, and improving their stamina.
It can strengthen your bond with your pet.
Swimming is a fun activity that can help you develop a closer relationship with your horse. If you can help your horse overcome its fear of water, it will build trust and an even stronger bond between you and your horse.
So, why not try to create new memories with your horse by swimming together? It’ll be challenging at first, but you’ll indeed have a great time. Remember not to go to any swimming area with your horse alone. It would be best to have an experienced companion who can assist you anytime. Check out our post on ‘How Horses Swim’ & ‘Bes Places to Swim on Horseback’ for more helpful information and tips on how, when, where to swim with your horse.
