Horse diving developed in America in the early part of the 20th century . The first recorded instance was at a horse racing track near New York City, where it became popular for wealthy people to take their horses out on the water and swim with them while they raced. The horse and the rider would then land in a pool of water just 12 feet deep . Became one of the most popular attractions in Atlantic City in the 1920s . Amazingly , despite animal welfare concerns , stunt continued until 1978 .
Horse diving developed in America in the early part of the 20th century . Stunt saw a woman launching her horse off a 40 or 60 foot platform . The horse and the rider would then land in a pool of water just 12 feet deep . Became one of the most popular attractions in Atlantic City in the 1920s . Amazingly , despite animal welfare concerns , stunt continued until 1978 .