Photos

PHOTOS: Majestic Images of Swimming Horses

Photographer Kurt Arrigo has traveled around the world photographing hammerhead sharks and life in the Great Barrier Reef, but capturing these images of swimming racehorses was one of the most dangerous shoots he'd ever done.

"At first the bubbles from the scuba gear frightened the horses a bit," Arrigo told The Daily Mail. "When they settled down, they just swam above me allowing me to work at different angles using the seascape, fish and different light to get the best shots."

The photographer had to carefully calculate his depth to be sure he wasn't hit by the 1,000 pound horses' hooves.

The animals are brought by their trainers to the sea off the coast of Malta to exercise between races.

Swimming also acts as a form of therapy for horses, taking the pressure off of their joints and tendons as well, according to The Star Tribune.

"It was one of the most thrilling shoots I have ever done, watching them gracefully move through the water," Arrigo said.

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