Swimming

[horseboxapp]

It's the golden question, Can horses swim?

And would they be able to swim faster than a dog?

[justliloldme]

yes they swin very well .................. i would think they would give a dog a run for their money ina straight line

[horseboxapp]

Only in a straight line? Would a dog turn round better?

[nia2311]

I'd like to see a swimming race between a dog, a horse and an elephant. My money is on the elephant!

[horseboxapp]

The elephant does have the muscle power and body fat to be a good swimmer, but I think a dog would be able to apply it's power better.

[gbik]

Loads of racehorse trainers swim thier horses as a matter of course these days. It is great exercise without stress on joints/legs so they can even swim when recovering from injury.

[horseboxapp]

Jan 29, 2013 11:04:12 GMT gbik said:

Loads of racehorse trainers swim thier horses as a matter of course these days. It is great exercise without stress on joints/legs so they can even swim when recovering from injury.

That's not a bad way to do lots of training before an event, less risk of it getting injured or worse, and it's probably great for physio.

[flee]

Jan 28, 2013 22:21:17 GMT nia2311 said:

I'd like to see a swimming race between a dog, a horse and an elephant. My money is on the elephant!

No way nia - it'd never get through the turnstile at the pay desk.Or manage to climb up the little ladder to get out of the pool .
You just never think these things through do you ?

[Em5]

I use to swim racehorses in Australia, could be very scary. In Sydney we had a proper pool it was like a circular swimming lane so someone could be either side of the horse with a rope for nervous horses. Very scary if they panic and try to flip over or even worse stop swimming. Horses have died swimming :-( . In Queensland we use to swim them behind a boat in the lake.

[nia2311]

Jan 30, 2013 17:27:48 GMT flee said:

Jan 28, 2013 22:21:17 GMT nia2311 said:

I'd like to see a swimming race between a dog, a horse and an elephant. My money is on the elephant!

No way nia - it'd never get through the turnstile at the pay desk.Or manage to climb up the little ladder to get out of the pool .
You just never think these things through do you ?

Aww Flee, you spoilt my imaginary race

The horse wouldn't be able to put the £1 in the locker either, I really need to revise this plan, don't I?! ;D

[horseboxapp]

I have to ask, how do you get them in and out of the pool?

[auntiebarb]

There is one at Hazel Slade on the Chase, there is a ramp to walk them in, then the handler walks around a central island holding a lead rein. There can be a further handler on the outside of the pool.

[horseboxapp]

I was imagining more of a system of elaborate pulleys >.>

[flee]

Feb 4, 2013 10:04:02 GMT horseboxapp said:

I have to ask, how do you get them in and out of the pool?

They have little ladders at the sides .
Or diving boards for the more confidant .

[mara]

and if you ride them when they're swimming their back ends drop right away & you tend to float behind them, hanging on for grim death !

They're very good swimmers just not very fast usually.

Rodents are also very good swimmers - I've rescued several when they've dropped in to the gully pots along our lane but can't get out due to the plastic sides of the pot. I've never had to rescue a rat & nor would I I'm afraid to admit!

[pinkprincess21]

Yes x