Yes, Horses Can Swim! Discover 5 Facts About These Surprising Swimmers

Written by Colby Maxwell
Published: March 18, 2023
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Horses have been our companions for centuries and have played a vital role in human history, from transportation to sports. However, have you ever wondered if horses can swim? While it may seem like an odd question, horses are known for their strength and athleticism, but it is sort of hard to imagine one swimming! Today we’re going to explore the question of whether horses can swim, plus how their anatomy and behavior influence their ability to do so. Let’s get started.

Can Horses Swim?

Yes, they can! Horses have the ability to swim, and they can do it naturally without any training. When they encounter water than starts to go deeper than they can stand, they instinctively move their legs in a trot-like motion, sort of similar to how a dog will doggy paddle! Their massive lungs help them to stay buoyant and breathe easily since they are so massive. It’s important to note, however, that not all of them enjoy swimming, and some may even dislike water. Swimming also requires a lot of energy, and they can only sustain it for a short period and distance before getting tired.

5 Interesting Facts about Horses, Water, and How They Move

1. Horses Can Swim About Half a Mile

Yes, Horses Can Swim! Discover 5 Facts About These Surprising Swimmers

Horses can swim, on average, half a mile.

©Maxim Petrichuk/Shutterstock.com

As natural swimmers, horses can swim for about 30 minutes or half a mile without tiring. However, as with most things, training and practice can extend this average for some horses, given the conditions are alright. One news story back in 2016, for example, records that a horse was rescued from the ocean after a 7-mile swim! The horse, Rebel Rover, ended up running into the ocean after throwing his rider. The horse was somewhat accustomed to the water as his owners used swimming as part of the training program, explaining how he had potentially made it so far.

2. Horses Can Drink a TON of Water at Once

Salt River in Arizona

Horses can drink a lot of water each day.

©Brent Coulter/Shutterstock.com

According to different sources, a horse can drink between 5 and 15 gallons of water a day, depending on their size, activity level, and environmental conditions. However, this is only a general guideline and each horse may have different water needs. Drinking that much water, they may not even need to swim, just drink their way out of it! In certain climates, horses have evolved the ability to go for longer periods of time without drinking, much like a camel. This is especially true in desert climates. Additionally, many horses get the majority of their water needs from the grass they eat, not from drinking alone!

3. Horses Can Swim With a Rider

Yes, Horses Can Swim! Discover 5 Facts About These Surprising Swimmers

Horses are able to swim and have a rider at the same time.

©BHamms/Shutterstock.com

It is possible for a horse to swim while carrying a rider, but riders should avoid interfering with the horse’s natural motion or head carriage. The rider should also take off the saddle and leave some slack in the rein since free range of motion is important, especially in an environment that a horse probably isn’t as accustomed to. Additionally, swimming with a rider could easily tire the animal out, so sufficient rest and breaks are needed to be extra safe.

4. Horses Can Swim Around 2.5 mph in the Water

Horses can drink a lot of water each day.

Horses are much slower in the water than on land.

©OlesyaNickolaeva/Shutterstock.com

According to different sources, a horse can swim at a maximum speed of about 2.5 mph, which is much slower than their running speed on land, which can exceed 30 mph in some instances. A horse swimming at this speed would look like a person jogging slowly. It probably goes without being said, but with a rider, the animal would swim considerably slower than without one.

5. Water and Swimming Are Used for Horse Rehab

Horse Swimming for Horse Pool Rehab

Swimming can help horses with rehabilitation in a number of ways.

©Kelly vanDellen/Shutterstock.com

Swimming and water can be used for horse rehab in various ways. Water provides buoyancy, which reduces the weight-bearing stress on injured limbs and joints. It also provides resistance, which increases muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. Water can be cold or warm, depending on the type of injury and the desired effect. Cold water reduces inflammation and pain, while warm water improves blood flow and metabolism. Some examples of water-based rehab methods are swimming pools, underwater treadmills, cold-water spas, and cold hosing. In fact, many of these exact exercises are used for humans looking for low-impact exercise and rehab (think water Pilates for seniors).

The photo featured at the top of this post is © OlesyaNickolaeva/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

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