Nice Day For A Swim - If You're A Horse!

Posted by JIM NIGRO on October 21, 2009 - 4:36pm
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I never know what I might come across while driving the back roads.  Take this morning for instance, when I saw a standardbred race horse swimming in a horseshoe-shaped pond.

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"Nitroglycerine" is being tended to by owner Frank Zambito and trainer/horse farm owner Fred Haslip.

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I think he's smiling at me!

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Swims over...back to the barn.

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Left to right Nitroglycerine, Frank Zambito and Fred Haslip.

Posted by Mardell Lamb on October 22, 2009 - 7:31am
That's so cool! Good thing you had your camera with you. Interesting name ~~ :o) The farm looks familar, where is it located?
Posted by Ryan Schultz on October 22, 2009 - 9:01am
If i do believe i think that is on Roberts Road before you make the sharp left turn?
Posted by daniel cherry on October 22, 2009 - 9:36am
Jim i really like your images.
Posted by Laura Scarborough on October 22, 2009 - 10:05am
Nice pictures. Jim, my husband swears he saw a loon on the Tonawanda the other day behind the old tops. Someone said they swear they saw one on the Oatka as well. Have you seen anything?
Posted by JIM NIGRO on October 23, 2009 - 3:10pm
Sorry for not replying sooner, its been a long, but adventuresome day. Began at first light on Lake Ontario, then up Oak Orchard Creek and finally up Marsh Creek. Not a single fish but it was a good time. The afternoon included a canoe ride through a cattail jungle dotted with potholes - windy conditions made for tough going!

Dan, thanks - and I really enjoyed your recent posts. The squirrel gnawing on the pumpkin was a classic.

Mardell & Laura, thanks, and no, I haven't seen any loons in the area, but I wouldn't be surprised if they made an occasional stopover.

Ryan, you're right, Fred's farm is on Roberts Rd. in the town of Alabama.
Posted by Dave Olsen on October 23, 2009 - 7:07am
Jim; just curious why the horse was swimming. Is it a training technique or therapeutic? Or was he just having fun and getting some exercise?
Posted by Bea McManis on October 23, 2009 - 7:15am
Swimming is used for treating injuries such as bowed tendons, pulled suspensory ligaments, bucked shins, and saucer fractures, quarter cracks or foot problems and generally for the rehabilitation of the animal after any injury or surgery. The lungs and heart of the animal receive maximum conditioning, which increases their capacity thus minimizing possibility of bleeding while performing. Bones become denser and more compact and the tendency of the perisoteum of the cannon bones becoming inflamed is greatly reduced

The horse uses its normal gait and the same muscles as in use while exercising on the track without undue stress or trauma.

There are several indoor pools available to horses in our area.
Posted by JIM NIGRO on October 23, 2009 - 11:47am
Dave, when I asked if the horse was swimming as a form of hydro-therapy, they said "No, he's just swimming." Yet Bea's response is quite informative. I worked in the race dept. of the Meadlowlands for ten years and couldn't have supplied those facts. Thanks Bea!
Posted by Mardell Lamb on October 23, 2009 - 12:18pm
Wow ~ learn something new every day! Love it. Thanks everyone.
Posted by Dave Olsen on October 23, 2009 - 12:25pm
Yes, Thanks Jim and Bea