Things have been going swimmingly lately down at Saar Stables with the introduction of a new custom-built swimming pool for horses. It’s just an amazing opportunity to be able to let your horse swim, exercise, recover from injury and cool down.

Swimming benefits a horse by conditioning the cardiovascular and muscular systems without putting strain on the joints or subjecting the legs to stress or concussion. 

As well as being used to get horses fitter by providing strenuous exercise, gentle swimming can be used as an excellent method of rehabilitation.

The swimming pool is the result of a project by Salah A Latif, son Haitham and team. They are of hand to assist and offer advice on how best to use the facility.

Often, as an introduction, horses start off with one or two rounds and can build up their stamina for more over time. 
The facility is open from 8am to noon, and again in the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm and it costs BD7 per horse. To book a session, call Haitham on 33515185 or Salah on 39477474.  Testimonials are readily available from those that have already taken their horses for a dip and young show jumper Aimee Keen was particularly positive saying her steed Rio took to it ‘like a duck to water’.

She added that her new horse DJ had never seen deep water before, least of all a swimming pool, and was a bit reluctant at first. But after a leap of faith, which nearly took his handlers for a swim as well, he soon loved every minute of the experience.

Dawood Salman is another ardent supporter after his horse Sky took to swimming like he’d been doing it forever.
I’ll be taking my own water-fearing Loki down to test it out this week.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Twin Palms Riding Centre

  • In-House Twixstead on May 14-15 with Show Jumping on May 17, spectators and supporters all welcome.
  • Twin Palms Riding Centre Open Show Jumping, May 16. 4pm start, staged at two arenas.
    Class 1 – One Round with Jump Off 80/90cm
    Class 2    Two Phase 90/100cm
    Class 3   Related Distances 3-5 strides 90/100cm
    Class 4  Accumulator with Joker 100/120cm
    Entry Fee BD5 per class
    Contact 32261337 Elaine for an entry form and more information. Entries close tonight.
  • Al Alwane Bahrain & Al Ammer Stables will hold their Cross-Country Events on May 22 for junior and adult ladies only starting at 4.30pm.
    For registration, contact Fareed Madan on 33717888, Ali Altabal on 33127207 or Mohammed Aljufferi on 39991044.
  • Dilmun Stables has scheduled two events prior to the end of the season. First will be an Open Show Jumping on May 29, and then an Open Dressage on June 12.