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Swimming is the ULTIMATE choice for the conditioning and rehabilitation of horses. Keep reading and then see more pictures of our pool on the Facility page and a map to our equine swimming facility in central Texas on the Contact Us page. Conditioning Because swimming is a non-impact activity, the horse uses all the muscles he normally would but without the pounding and stress on bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. The resistance naturally created by the water provides an aerobic workout to improve their respiratory and circulatory systems. The career of your horse can be prolonged because swimming can maintain his fitness without wearing out his joints. Because no limb is isolated, every muscle is conditioned equally. Also, young horses with developing bones that are not yet ready for riding can begin putting on muscle, learning coordination, and expending excess energy without compromising their soundness. The optimum conditioning provided by swimming coupled with the increased extension, flexibility, and muscle mass may be just what you need to gain that competitive edge. Rehabilitation Swimming is therapeutic and aids tremendously in the healing process by increasing blood flow throughout the body. For a horse not yet able to swim we have a standing hydrotherapy area on the ramp of the pool where hydrojets circulate water around their legs to stimulate circulation for healing. The hydrojets are adjustable so circulation can be adjusted to specific affected areas such as ankles, knees, and hocks. The recovery process can often be sped up because swimming can begin while the horse is still healing. So by the time his injury has healed, he has maintained his level of fitness and can more easily get back in the game. The absence of mental and physical stress that accompanies typical workouts allows horses to relax and build confidence by swimming at their own pace while they work their way through recovery. We can work with your vet to tailor the recovery process most beneficial to your horse. |
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What if my horse can't swim?All horses can swim. They are natural born swimmers and do not need to be taught. What if my horse is afraid of water? Some may balk initially - much like learning to trailer load but they all will go in and really enjoy it once they get the hang of it. Overcoming a fear of water may give your horse confidence and aid in his reactions to other fear-inspiring situations. What type of horses do you swim? Horses and ponies of any size or disclipine can swim. If we can lead it, it can swim! How long does it take to condition a horse for competition? On average it takes 3-4 weeks if starting from scratch. How big is the pool? It's 40 feet in diameter with a 24' ramp. The channel is 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep. What does a typical swim session involve? We clean out their feet and hose them down before entering the pool to keep it clean. We monitor their resting, maximum, and recovery heart rate before, during, and after their swim. Then they are rinsed off again upon exiting to remove any chlorine residue and walked on the walker to cool their muscles down and dry off. How many laps will my horse swim? We've consulted with the head of the Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery at Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine for specifics in our horse swimming regimen. The doctor suggested that every horse & workout should be judged on an individual basis. There is no specific protocol or magic heart rate chart that should be consulted to judge the fitness of any one horse. Just like people, horses have different swimming styles - some exert more energy than others, some are more laid-back, some are nervous until they figure it out, etc. which results in a wide range of heart rates. Because of this we start with one lap and work up from there making any notes we feel necessary. Where is Briggs, TX??? Briggs is located in Central Texas about 40 miles north of Austin up Hwy 183 . |