Conference noted::equitation

    Horses are naturally good swimmers. We have a friend who lives on
    a river and takes her horse swimming every hot day. The horse looks
    forward to it know and goes right in as soon as they get to the
    water. Also, many equine centers have pools to allow the horses
    to exercise while rehabilitating from injuries that preclude walking
    or running on hard ground.

    
    For me it's one of the easiest ways to fall off!  :-)
    
    As the horse contacts ground with the hind end they make a lunging
    motion because the front end is still floating.  Better hold on tight!
                   
    My horse is not a water horse. Every stream or brook is a challenge.
    As a kid  I used to go swimming with the horses and I don't remember
    a single time I didn't slip off!
    
    Dani_who_somtimes_wishes_velcro_would_stick_to_a_horse.

    I used to board not far from a large pond.  We used to take
    the horses in with halters and lead ropes, but as they go
    in deeper, and the water covers their back, it's hard to
    stay on.  Beware! some horses love to roll in the shallow
    part of the water, so if you see them starting to paw at the water,
    they may be getting ready to roll!

Since I grew up near a lake, I frequently took the horses swimming.

Some things I learned (mostly the hard way):

 - make sure your reins are unbuckled/or untied so if you should drop them, 
   the horse can't tangle up his legs.

 - know the angle of the drop you are walking the horse into - I took a small
   gelding, who loved the water, to a steep area of the lake (didn't check
   it first) and he pranced right in and under headfirst - it really scared him 
   *and me* as he panicked trying to get his head above water.

 - don't go near busy beach areas with people, dogs and frisbees etc. flying
   around - another bad experience:  after riding out of the water on a friends
   horse and up a small hill, a dog was chasing a frisbee and both objects went
   flying right in front of the horses nose.  The horse spooked, bolted, and
   bucked - needless to say - I was air born (no chance of staying on a slimy
   wet horse with no saddle) and landed, head first, into some rocks).  I'm
   lucky I didn't get a broken neck - but I did have amnesia for a few hours
   and badly scunned up face.  And would you believe, after regaining 
   conciousness, I caught the beast and rode him home.  Actually, I tried
   to ride home - just couldn't remember where home was - some neighbors
   had to give me directions.  Enough of the war stories.  

 - This same horse also loved pawing the water - which he would do endlessly -
   but never tried rolling - I think he just loved splashing water.

All in all, it can be a lot of fun if:  you have a good seat and your horse is
somewhat predictable.

    
    
    I swam my horse as a kid all the time.  Lot's of fun, but like
    riding on a seal they're so slippery.  Tried it again when I
    was 24.  Horse got stung by a horsefly, bucked me off, bumped
    me in the head, and I almost drowned in 2 ft of water.  Needless
    to say I haven't done it since.  I suddenly realized how 
    dangerous it was.  At least when you fall off or get bucked off,
    even if you get knocked out, you don't have to worry about
    drowning on land.
    
    Linda
    
    

    I have taken my horse swimming once or twice a summer in a local
    pond at what used to be the town beach. A little caution is advised.
    Remember that your horse is still wearing shoes and you are not
    so being stepped on can be serious. In three feet of water most
    of your horse's bulk is still out of the water and you won't be
    able to see where he is putting his feet until he steps on you.
    Most horses can't swim with you on his back unless you are very
    small and light and he is very big, so you have to swim alongside.
    Don't take your horse into water where either of you are out of
    your depth. While horse can swim they are not particularly good
    swimmers for any length of time. I usually let my horse swim around
    me when I am standing up to my neck. If I am on his back when he
    starts to swim his back end sinks like a stone so I slip off and
    grab on to his mane and let him pull me along. 
    
    Be aware of the footing under the water. It can change from sand to
    muck quite quickly. BE especially careful to look for bottles and
    broken glass, since most informal swimming holes seem to attract beer
    drinking litter louts who throw their empties into the water.
    
    Despite all these cautions it can be great fun. My horse does a
    tremendous impression of Moby Dick, the great white whale.

	Another vote to do it but with caution. I went simming on horseback
	several times in the St. Joe river as a kid. I loved it and so did
	my mare Kelly. I was almost drowned by Kelly when she lost her
	footing and I fell off. No biggie except I went under her and one
	of her front hoofs caught my pants pocket and kept pushing me under.
	Luckily the pocket ripped off and I was pulled out by holding her
	mane while my sister (in a panic) pulled my arm. Quite exciting.

	On the other hand, all the other times it was great fun. I still 
	ride around a little lake near where I board but I haven't tried
	swimming there. liesl

    
    A good friend of mine told me a <true> story about thoroughbreds
    and water.  Her friend grew up on a horse farm and one day all the
    horses (15 or so) disappeared from the pasture.  The gate was closed
    and they looked all over for them.  She was getting into hot water
    when someone noticed something sticking out of the pond.  All 15
    horses were under water except for their ears and noses!

    I used to own horses on Cape Cod many years ago. We went swimming
    frequently with the horses both in the ocean and in a pond. The
    trick is that you have to be comfortable riding bareback (We also
    used to ride in a halter and lead shank to spare the tack from the
    water) You also have to try out your horses attitude. If the horse
    is skiddish of water-forget it-- but if they don't mind going into
    water, it's great fun. They tend to push off the bottom with their
    hind legs, so you sort of hold on to the reins and mane. You are
    floating, more than sitting astride. 
    
    Don't do it if you don't have a horse you can really trust. Or star
    t by just wading through shallow water astride the horse. It's like
    everything else, some horses will love it, but some will not.
    (p.s. If you go into salt water, be sure to hose them down after)
    

    I didn't see anything mentioned in the keywords about this subject.
    
    I would like to take my horse swimming in the river near my home.
    There is a sandy beach on both sides of the river and although it
    is deep, it is not wide.
    
    We have never done this together and I want to make it a fun 
    experience for him. I think he will be reluctant to go in but
    will do so if I force the issue. He is not afraid of deep puddles,
    streams, etc.. in fact he plays and paws at the water to splash 
    his belly!
    
    The question is: how do I introduce him to this new concept of
    swimming? Can any of you share your experiences with me?
    
    Also, I was told that horses generally do not like water as a rule.
    Is this true or do they actually have fun swimming once they are in?
    
    I am just worried that a horse could become panicy and drown, is this
    a possibility? (my motherly instincts coming out here!)
    
    thanks, Tina
    

    I think that swimming for horses is an individual thing--some like it,
    some don't.  I wouldn't force the issue since that will make him more
    likely to decide he doesn't like it.  Do the river banks drop off
    suddenly, or is there a gradual slope.  I would find an area, sans 
    horse, where there is a gradual drop into deeper water.  If you have a 
    friend with a horse that already likes to swim, so much the better.  
    Horses are much more likely to follow another horse's lead then try 
    something new on their own.  In any event, I would introduce him slowly, 
    first walking along the edge in the shallow part and offering him the 
    chance to go in deeper.   If he heads right in, fine.  If he's
    unwilling, fine.
    
    The only way it will be fun for him is if his feelings are respected. 
    but then that's true for all of us.
    
    Mary

    With you on his back, and him never smimming before, you may be in for 
    a suprise. A panic on his part could cost you your life, or mega
    doc bills at the least.
    
    Give it some thought first...it's a risk just being on dry ground, 
    on an animals back, let alone the fealing of no stable ground beneath
    him.
    
    Dave'
    

    I agree with the previous notes, it's a personal thing for each horse.
    It can also be dangerous.  Does your horse like the hose?  How does
    he react when crossing streams?  
    
    My mare loves the water!  Every stream, river or large body of water
    we come to she's always the first in and last out.  She'll splash and
    paw (be careful, this is a sign that they will roll - it's happened
    to my girlfriend) and stick her entire face in the water and blow
    bubbles. 
    
    She also loves the hose, and has been known to stick her face in a 
    bucket of water.  SHe'll also dump it out to play in the puddles.
    But I think Jesse is the exception to the rule.
    
    My palomino gelding tolerated the water.  He'd be happy to just stand
    ankle deep and watch Jesse have a ball.  My boyfriends paso loved the 
    water too.....just as much as Jesse.  
    
    We have gone to the beach and would canter along the shoreline.  We
    would have to concentrate on keeping them onthe beach instead of out
    of the water......Which reminds me.....If you go to a beach, let the
    horse adjust to the tide.  It is something they have to get used to
    over and over again.	
    	
    
    

    
    Years ago I used to take my horses swimming.  Where I am situated
    now doesn't allow a place for something deep enough.  
    
    I can only say....be careful!  What we were taught as kids was NOT
    to swim them by sitting on their backs.  Swim next to the horse....not
    on his back.. I've seen people with their horses swimming...sitting
    on their backs....the horse was obviously panicking.....it's not
    like most of it's body is floating on the water!  it's head is above
    water and the more weight on them the better chance to push them
    under!  Keep those ears dry!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    When I was a kid I had a pony that you couldn't keep out of the water
    on a hot day. He would go in and we would just grab his mane and float
    alongside of him. Of course you do have to stay clear of his legs, and
    we always rode him bareback.
    Sandy