Mary Allen
A full stop and not a hoof forward at the sight of the smallest puddle of water: the fear of the wet element is widespread among horses. However, with patient practice and positive experiences, most horses become waterproof.
There is a puddle at the edge of the field path after a rainy day. If depending on the position of the sun or the wind, the surface glitters or moves, it becomes a fearsome black hole for many horses. Instead of continuing the ride calmly, such horses will, depending on their temperament, jump to the side, wriggle along the edge of the puddle like an eel, or bolt straight away.
This unpleasant behavior is incomprehensible to the rider. He may not understand why his horse, even with energetic leg aids, cannot be persuaded to put even one hoof in the water. After all, he knows that the water is no deeper than a few centimeters and that the horse can safely step through the puddle.
Horses are Good Swimmers
Young horses and those that have never been properly introduced to water can be frightened by even a harmless situation such as a puddle by the side of the road. Because they cannot estimate how deep the water is and whether the ground is sure-footed. This caution is an innate instinct that is stronger depending on the horse. If a wild horse injures itself by stepping into a deep water hole, or if it even falls in, it is separated from its herd and becomes easy prey for predators.
On the other hand, due to evolution, the horse is a good swimmer from birth: the voluminous intestine and the large lungs give its massive body good buoyancy. Because even if the water poses dangers, crossing rivers could bring a herd significant advantages, such as opening up new pastures.
No riding horse has to earn its fodder by swimming these days, and most country lanes are wide enough to avoid puddles. Nevertheless, no owner should put up with a water-shy horse. Not only for eventing and show jumping horses it is important that they are not afraid of water. Even dressage horses can be confronted with puddles in the arena after a downpour, and even when riding off-road, horse and rider repeatedly encounter “water obstacles” such as small streams or pools of water that have to be crossed.
The best way to get used to water in a playful way is when the foal and young horse are young. Because what scares the horse is what it doesn’t know. But even older horses that have neglected to do this can still shed their fear of the wet element.
It is best to choose a flat spot with a solid surface for practicing. There the horse is allowed to take a good look, lower its head, and make sure that the ground is not dangerous. It has an innate curiosity that often outweighs fear and ideally will want to explore the water on its own. Otherwise, an experienced rider with a horse that is used to water goes ahead, crosses the water, and shows the inexperienced horse that there is no danger.
Beware of the Involuntary Bath
Even in the herd, the horse learns by imitation – and so most horses follow the lead horse trustingly. The rider should have his horse well on the aids, remain calm and not stare into the water himself, but look in the direction of the target. If the animal overcomes its suspicions and enters the water, it should be praised and gently encouraged to continue. This exercise is repeated several times, from different sides and later also in more difficult places, such as a small stream, until the horse has gained confidence and noticed that nothing will happen to him in the water.
Once the horse has gotten used to the water or has even learned to appreciate it, it still has to remain alert: Horses like to lie down in the water without paying attention to saddlery or rider. If this intention is announced with a scraping of the front legs, the rider should take up the reins and ride forward energetically, so as not to take a bath with his horse.