horse swimming schedule

Question
hello ma'am, do horses get tired of swimming? do horses need daily swimming exercise? if yes, how far can i make a horse swim?

to be clear, can you give me swimming exercise schedule for horses?

Answer
Swimming horses for strength-building and rehabilitation purposes is a fairly recognized procedure. It is more often seen with race horses, as the possible income derived from a sound animal usually validates the cost of the environment necessary for water therapy for horses.

Of course horses get tired, but if the procedure is done correctly the horse gradually becomes accustomed to swimming, and becomes less threatened mentally and physically.I have spent time at a "water therapy" facility in Kentucky, where horses were boarded and also trucked in just to make use of the pool that was devised specifically for horses.

They were led out onto a ramp which dropped gradually into the water. There were at least two handlers staying with the horses, and I only observed one horse who seemed a bit distressed.

Swimming can strengthen a horse without putting undue stress on his weight bearing legs. It seems to be a good program to bring horses back from lameness issues...just as swimming therapy is often described for people.

Personally, I would prefer to a horse becoming acclimated to swimming by being in a pool and the water gradually and slowly become higher so it is less frightening to the horse the first few times. I am not sure of an exercise schedule. I will research this. I would imagine in the beginning just five minutes would be enough until the horse is used to this process.

Mitzi Summers
www.MitziSummers.com