Racehorses Love Swimming... Busan Gyeongnam Racecourse Park Resumes Operation of Horse Swimming Pool for Spring

Operation Suspended During Winter for Racehorse Conditioning and Rehabilitation Training

A dedicated horse swimming pool within Busan Gyeongnam Race Park.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] “They opened the horse swimming pool?” Racehorses also exercise in spring to make up for the lack of exercise during winter. That exercise is swimming.

The Korea Racing Authority Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters announced on the 3rd that it will resume operation of the horse swimming pool, which had been suspended during winter for the physical training and rehabilitation of racehorses, starting from the 3rd.

The indoor swimming pool exclusively for horses, operated since 2004, has an outer circumference of 82 meters, a depth of 3 meters, and a water volume of approximately 900 tons.

It is managed with filters installed to ensure that the horses can always swim in clean water.

Warm-up exercises are essential before horses swim. Especially in March and April, when temperatures are still low, it is important to thoroughly warm up the body as preparation.

Racehorses warm up by walking in a circular path or using a device called a ‘walking machine,’ which can be considered a treadmill for horses.

After warming up, horses must use the shower facilities provided at the swimming pool before entering the pool.

Once all preparations are complete, a horse handler who is familiar with safety rules puts a halter on the horse and gradually guides it into swimming.

Racehorses swim about 2 to 3 laps around the donut-shaped swimming pool. Although it looks easy, due to the characteristics of buoyancy and water pressure, the exercise effect is said to be equivalent to a full-speed sprint on a 1400-meter racetrack.

Swimming is a training method that improves cardiopulmonary function and endurance without putting strain on the horse’s joints.

Moreover, it is effective in relieving stress for horses, making the horse swimming pool popular among trainers. On average, about 60 horses use the swimming pool daily.

Information on racehorse swimming training at Busan-Gyeongnam Racing Park is disclosed on the horse racing information website. It can be checked under Busan-Gyeongnam Racing → Trainer Information → Daily Swimming Training list.

An official from the racing park said, “Once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and park operations normalize, we will allow visitors to watch horses swimming directly through the LetsRunTour program.”