A pool where horses can take a swim has been opened on farm Ásakot in southern Iceland.
Pool owner Jakob Thórarinsson told RÚV that the pool is an addition to traditional training methods at Ásakot. This follows the recent opening of another horse pool opened in Reykjavík.
According to Thórarinsson, horse swimming is a 4000 year old training method; Romans trained their horses by making them swim in the ocean and in rivers.
Stallion Thóroddur from farm Thóroddsstadir was the first to try out the new swimming pool as part of his training period, RÚV reports.
Thórarinsson says that horses enjoy swimming, as well as relax in the water and gain strength without straining any muscles. He says swimming is especially important for preparing horses for competitions, mentally and physically.
Afterwards their swim, the horses at Ásakot can relax under a warming lamp.
