Hampton has been swimming once a week pretty consistently now.
As with anything you do with horses, there are 1,000 opinions.
To be honest, I have been unable to find much legit research or science behind the benefit and risks of swimming your horse. If you find any, do feel free to throw that in the comments.
But, in general here are a few risks:
Drowning. I have not been brave enough to ask the owners of the swim facility if they have ever had a horse drown. It's a real possibility, especially with a horse who might panic. Horses cannot hold their breath like humans do. (Although I sometimes question this when tightening my girth)
Swimming-induced colic. I could not find much information on this, but it does not seem to be common and symptoms would present about 30 minutes after swimming. At Hampton's swim place, they are immediately put on a hot walker for about 30-40 minutes after they swim.
Skin issues. I don't know if this is a huge risk if you swim just once a week, but of course this could become a problem if the horse swims frequently. I do notice that when I pick out Hampton's feet after a swim, that his feet "smell like the pool." I already treat with thrush treatments anyway, but I can see how skin issues might develop.
Back problems? There is some contradicting opinions on whether or not to swim a horse with back issues, say kissing spine or following kissing spine surgery. Some horses, especially those brand new to swimming, will swim very inverted because they are weak. Hampton, who is becoming quite comfortable with swimming, swims in a neutral position. Keep in mind, one swimming session is around 5-6 minutes for a fit horse like Hampton, less for a horse who is new or weaker.
Overextension. Specifically, overextension of the stifles. Due to the exaggerated motion of the legs, there is risk for overextension.
And of course, the benefits:
- Improved cardiovascular and respiratory fitness
- Mental stimulation
- Keep joints mobile without the concussion (great for horses, like Hampton, with arthritis)
- Increase range of motion (*cough* like the shoulders)
- Enhanced insulin/glucose metabolism
Here is Hampton's entire swim on May 19. He is becoming very comfortable with the process and has starting to F around by flipping his nose in the water every once in a while, like he does on trail rides. Nice.
Personally, I have noticed great benefits from just once-a-week or even every other week swim classes for Hampton. His fitness and stamina have greatly improved, and I notice he feels particularly loose and swingy the day after he swims. It acts as his cardio day and I don't have to do any additional fitness days with him, with the exception of maybe one additional long-walk day.
My other thought was this would be a great workout for him on those really hot days when he needs exercise, but I don't want to stress out his sweat glands. This way he can get a workout, and I don't have to worry about triggering his anhidrosis.
Anyway, just my thoughts on the matter. Not sure there is a right or wrong here. Thoughts?
Sources:
https://ker.com/equinews/swimming-for-horses-yea-or-whoa/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8553013/
https://ker.com/equinews/swimming-induced-colic-horses/
