| This email is the last in our training series for teaching a horse to swim. The summer is coming to a close and we want our horses to enjoy the water while we still have very warm
weather!
In these series of videos, you will see the actual process of taking a young 2 year old appendix gelding who does not have confidence in himself to enter deep water. This youngster crosses streams nicely but has never been asked to take the bold step of entering a large or deep body of water. We want to give this youngster confidence before he starts to get older and really has a fear of deep water.
In this first video, you will see an actual trail ride where Dundee was asked to enter the Shenandoah river in a strange place that he had never been before...take a look
Tom, our Apprentice Trainer from Canada has been Dundee's sole trainer for his time under saddle which has been 90 days at this point. He was unable to get Dundee to enter the water in the time alloted at the judged obstacle trail ride so he had to move on.
One week later, we took Dundee to our pond on the ranch which has a mud entrance and is 18ft. in depth. Tom worked and encouraged Dundee for about 20 min. before giving Dundee to Luann, our head trainer.
It was plain to see that Dundee was as scared as he lacked confidence. We were being consistent and patient with him, but he needed added motivation. Another horse was not as motivating for him as much as Tom, his trainer and companion. Watch what happens as soon as Tom gets in the water to encourage Dundee.
It is really amazing what can happen when you find what really motivates a horse and gives them confidence. Dundee finally gets in...but he needs more practice entering without hesitation.
This is the final product. At first, we did not think we were going to ask Dundee to swim...but he was doing such a great job...we went ahead with the final step..Dundee became a real "water dog" before the day was over.
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