"In the People - Pony business since 1975"
Horses can swim, but it is hard work. Swimming horses move their limbs in an action that looks like a pacing gait, with legs moving in lateral pairs. A well-conditioned horse can swim for up to 20 minutes, but will use much more energy to move through water then it would to move the same distance on land. A 500-yard swim is equal to a miles gallop.
The pressure of the water on the ribcage and the lungs is what makes the cardiovascular workout of swimming so intense for horses.
Because there is no shock impact or stress to the limbs, swimming is good exercise for horses with muscle or joint injuries. Pools are often used to keep horses from injuring themselves after operations or anesthesia. For therapeutic purposes, horses swim in cool water. This helps to dissipate the large amount of heat that horses generate while swimming.
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots."
~Author Unknown
Have you been to camp yet this summer?
If you have, we would love to hear what you thought of it. What was your favorite part? What could we have done to make it better? Did you like your horse? Did you like your counselor? Tell us your favorite story, or experience from camp?
Parents, we would love to get your feedback as well. Any suggestions? Comments?