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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
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| For my birthday my husband has suprised me with taking my horse to a facility that is going to swim him!
I just think that is pretty cool. He goes Friday...will be there for a week, then we will be bringing him back 2x a week after that.
It will be interesting to see what it does for his endurance! I will post pictures when we take him Friday!
Edited by magic gunsmoke 2014-02-08 5:48 PM
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 Looking for Lady Jockey
Posts: 3747
      Location: Rodeos or Baseball games |  |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
      
| I swim mine. You will see muscles pop out you didn't know they had. It definitely helps their cardio. Before I moved, the facility I used took their heart rate after swimming and with each week it got better and better as we added more laps. I just started swimming my 3rd horse, didn't take him till now because I didn't think I was ready to ride how strong swimming makes them. I pay $10/horse each swim. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
     Location: OH. IO | SWIM TO WIN!!!! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
        Location: NC | That's awesome, can't wait to see before n after pictures.  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
        Location: Southwest Minnesota | This makes me wish we lived somewhere that actually offered cool stuff like this. Soooo, can my daughter take her horse to the lake this summer and get some of the same effects? I would be concerned about the safety but we have taken the horses to the lake on hot days and they really seem to enjoy it. How long do you swim them to start with? I know they aren't riding them at these facilities...just trying to work with what we have available. |
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 Regular
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| There's a facility close to here that is all set up for that and I have often considered trying it out with my horse. For those of you who have swam your horses, have you had any that freaked out? I have trouble just getting my horse to walk through a puddle of water... |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
    
| albertacowgirl - 2014-02-05 6:24 PM There's a facility close to here that is all set up for that and I have often considered trying it out with my horse. For those of you who have swam your horses, have you had any that freaked out? I have trouble just getting my horse to walk through a puddle of water...
The guy that runs the facility said that it will take him a few tries to "train" him to swim. This is why he suggested he stay for a week. To train him on it, and then get him "started" on a regime.
He will also be putting him in a running pen to help condition him too. |
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 Member
Posts: 37

| I used to swim my horses in Arizona. The muscle they pack on is amazing and I wish I knew of one here in Colorado that was close by. Or even a river/stream/or lake! Their endurance also becomes fantastic. I moved from Arizona to Alaska and people used to think there was something wrong with my horse because first off, he never sweated (going from 90 degree to 60) and he could lope circles, ride forever and never become winded lol
Edited by zerotlperformancehor 2014-02-05 6:01 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
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| Mine did not have any problems but I have seen them work with horses who were scared. They were not harsh but kept the pressure on till they went in the pool. It is best to take them several days in a row when you first start swimming so they get over the fear. They are always put on a walker after swimming. Our pole horse went from running 20.6s and 7s to consistent 20.0's and 1's after swimming. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
              Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | How cool ... And Happy Birthday to you....  |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
       Location: Phoenix | Neat! You should take some before and after pictures!!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
        Location: Southwest Minnesota | hammer_time - 2014-02-06 12:27 AM Neat! You should take some before and after pictures!!!
Yes! Definitely take before and after photos! |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
    
| I will be sure to take before and after pictures to share. |
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 "Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
        Location: Iowa, LA | Your hubby ROCKS!!!  |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
        Location: Gainesville, TX | My husband is currently doing this with one of our geldings too before he goes to be tuned on for calf roping. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
    
| Well....dropped him off today, but didn't get him there until later.
First, the truck wouldn't start....since it has been cold, we figured our batteries were going bad-so we went and got new batteries.
A few days ago we got 1/2 inch of ice...so after we got the batteries in we then had to get our truck out of our driveway.
With it being on solid ice that took about thirty minutes.
Ended up spreading manure underneath a few of the tires for traction.
So-long story short-he will learn how to go up and down the ramp tomorrow-so I will get some pictures then, and I will be sure to get a before picture too. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
      Location: Texas | My one horse loves to swim. He packed on so much muscle mass it was crazy. One guy who has known my horse for years did not recognize him. I did have another horse who did NOT Tao to swimming. She freaked out badly and panicked. Thankfully we got her out of the pool and she never went back.
Oh and that was very sweet of him to get you the swims for a present
Edited by barrelbasher 2014-02-07 9:40 PM
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
    
| Today was such a COOL EXPERIENCE!!!!
Not going to lie, I was proud as a peacock, especially when every single person there complimented his looks and his smarts. Thoroughbred people are crazy when it comes to looking at a fit horse, so it made me glow a little bit when the trainer said "I like your horse, God is he good looking and fit, and smart to boot."
I am sorry I am bragging, it just made me really happy because I feel like I have a good one, and it is nice when other people think so too.
Anyways here are a few pictures:



Here is a link to a video of him swimming:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10100486820036050&l=4214517666227480498
And here is a before picture:

Here is one last picture because I honestly think he looks like crap in the above one! He was feeling a little fresh, and kept wanting to look at the horses in the running pen, so I just took a picture as quick as I could.

Edited by magic gunsmoke 2014-02-08 5:46 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 160
  
| So cool! If you don't mind me asking, what were they doing with the bag on the stick at the beginning of the video? |
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