Skeeter went swimming along with Dundee, an all-around gelding who is getting fit (the most fit he has been in his LIFE) for showing. Brett, who owns and runs the facility also likes for first time swimmers to see another horse swim so the horse can see what's going on. Also, he believes if they see a veteran swimmer go first they're more likely to go in.
The facility where Skeeter and Dundee swim has a circular pool for the horses to swim instead of a straight line or a treadmill underwater. The circle makes it possible for the horse to swim multiple laps without coming out and bearing weight and getting a little break like they do with a straight pool. Also, the horse doesn't bear any weight like they would on a treadmill.
When we got to the facility and unloaded, Skeeter got to watch Dundee go through the process of preparing to swim and actually in the pool.
First, their hooves are cleaned out and the horse is rinsed off. Then, they go in for a swim. Some horses go just one lap, some go a lap then come out for a minute and go back in for another lap, and some become fit enough that they swim multiple laps before coming out. Dundee is up to 2 laps without a break. The record is 9 laps by a rehabbing racehorse.
When Dundee went into the water, Skeeter was VERY concerned. She snorted, and looked for him, and called for him. It was kind of cute. Poor girl. After he came out, Dundee was put on the walker to let him relax and keep him from cramping up (just like after any excercise, proper cool down and stretching is necessary!) and it was Skeeter's turn!
Skeeter, I had forgotten, does not like water. In fact, during a flood-ish period, Skeeter did not cross the little creek that cuts our pasture for two months despite the other horses going across several times a day.
When it came time to go in, Skeeter did not want to at all. She did rear up a bit and refuse, so Brett and his assistant turned her and backed her down the slope a ways and then turned her into the pool. (The record for number of times it took before a horse would go in without having to be backed: 16, held by a roping horse. Here's hoping we don't beat that record).
Once she was turned around, Skeeter JUMPED into the water. The problem with this is that she also sank like a rock, and her head went under. She did panic a bit, and Brett and his assistant did a great job of pulling her up. When she jumped in, Brett explained to me, she buoyed back up out of the water and it takes a couple tries before a horse can level itself off to swim properly.
Once she was swimming, she really got going and made her one lap successfully, if not a little worryingly low riding in the water:
She was happy to come out (a little mad at being made do it) and her heartrate when she came out was a whopping 153! After a little time on the walker, it came right down and we even saw some improvement in my girl. She was VERY invigorated, and would walk and bounce jog along with the walker. When she was walking, she even strode up under herself a lot more than she previously had! Woo Skeeter!
Before today's swimming session, I took a pic of Skeeter to get an idea of her condition to help track how she is doing. Here's today's shot (not very good, I know):
After today's swimming, her heart rate was at 137! A huge improvement from the last time (although that high rate could have been a bit from her freaking out over going under...) One thing about this mare, once she starts getting fit, she gets fit FAST!
I loved the pictures of your mare swimming! :) She sounds like a really fun horse, and I can't wait to see how quickly she gets back in shape!
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to take my horses swimming if I had a place to do it!