Swimming Pigs Put On A Show

Swimming Pigs Put On A Show 32-5-9 Robinson's Racing Pigs are on their way to destroying the myth that pigs will cut their own throats with their hooves when swimming. "They're natural born swimmers," says Randall Ross, owner of Robinson's Racing Pigs. The company sets up pig races with a 24-ft. long water tank. After running halfway around the truck, the fast-moving porkers hit the water about mid-tank, Ross says, so there's a good chance folks in the first row will get a quick shower. The racing pigs have been entertaining people at fairs, grand openings - even barbecues - throughout the U.S and Canada since 1985. The business was started by Paul and Carlota Robinson, when they debuted a pig racing event at the Florida State Fair. It was so popular that they were asked to attend several events before the fair was over. Ross, who built the first track and trained pigs since the beginning, now owns the business, which has six 8-pig teams booked across the U.S., Canada and even Bermuda. Other companies also race pigs, he notes, but theirs is the only one to include swimming. "The whole race takes about five or six seconds," Ross says. "The prize is an Oreo cookie. The losers get the crumbs." Because of their smaller size, pot-belly pigs and domesticated wild pigs are used for racing. Training starts at five weeks - using Oreos as rewards. The pigs compete from three months up to five years old. When they get more than 150 lbs. and to a certain age, they lose their competitive spirit, Ross says. Females retire to the Florida farm as breeders - some are as old as 20. Neutered males are adopted to good homes. The business also adopts and rehabilitates potbelly pigs that have gotten too heavy. People often overfeed them, Ross notes. Robinson Swimming Pigs are fed high protein hog food to keep them in shape. People tend to think of pigs being stinky and lazy, Ross says. He believes his pigs prove they don't have those traits, and that they can be impressive entertainers. "I love to see people's faces watching them," Ross says. Groups interested in booking the racing/swimming pigs for an event should call for prices. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Randall Ross, Robinson's Racing Pigs, 487 S.W. Scout Glen, Fort White, Florida 32038 (ph 352 514-4864; racingpigs@juno.com).

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