Ocean Swimming
If you've dreamed of swimming with
your horse, follow these safety tips. A tie-in to the August 2002 issue of Horse & Rider.
Most horses see no reason to enter the ocean--there's nothing to eat, they can't drink the water, and they'd have a hard time escaping predators. However, in warm areas with small waves, some horses can actually enjoy ocean swimming. If you've dreamed of swimming with your horse, follow these safety tips. (For tips on riding on the beach, see "Trailwise," Horseman's Handbook, Horse & Rider, August '02.)
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE
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| Riders on a Costa Rica beach. © Donnelle Oxley |
Approach ocean swimming as thoughtfully as you would any performance endeavor. Choose a warm day with calm surf. Big waves may cause your horse to stagger and sway to keep his balance. Very strong swells, riptides, and back flow can literally sweep him off his feet.
Ask locals or area rangers for recommendations. Beware of submerged rocks, driftwood, or seaweed forests, and be sure your chosen spot offers solid footing. Avoid areas with shallow shelves that drop off precipitously into deep water.
If available, ride with a mellow equine companion ridden by a friend experienced with ocean swimming. Your horse can look to his buddy for assurance. For safety, ride bareback and barefoot--soaked saddles and boots can weigh down both of you.
SWIMMING LESSONSTo begin, stay in shallow water, on firm sand footing. Allow your horse to get used to the waves washing over his legs and belly. Ride parallel to the beach in both directions to acclimate him to ocean and land views. Then practice riding into and out of the surf perpendicular to the shore, so he knows which way to head for dry land. Be aware he's likely to exhibit exaggerated leg action when he first trots in shallow water.
When your horse is in belly-deep water parallel to shore, there will come a moment when the next wave floats him. Steer him toward shore, so just a few "dog paddles" will get him back onto firm footing. If he seems relaxed, take another diagonal track back into deeper water, and let him swim for 15 to 20 seconds. Keep him aimed toward the shore, so back flow won't carry him too far out.
SEA HORSE
Once your horse is swimming, float above or beside him, holding his mane. If you get in front of or under him, his paddling hooves could gravely injure you. Avoid using your reins as a tow rope, which would create undue bit pressure on his mouth. Don't allow the reins to wind around your arms or neck, where they could pull you under water.
Note that your horse will probably tire after 5 or 10 minutes in the ocean, due to the pull of the tide and action of the waves. Return to shore within this time frame. Add 1 minute each time out, on separate days, to build his swimming stamina.
Lari Shea operates Ricochet Ridge Ranch Riding Vacations in Fort Bragg, California (horse-vacation.com), hosting rides on the beach and through the redwoods. As the College of the Redwoods Horsemanship Program director, she lectured in all aspects of equine science. An accomplished endurance racing competitor with a Tevis Cup victory to her credit, Lari has also taught riding for 30 years.
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