Horses and Camels Swimming in Minecraft

Hello, adventure and block lovers! It's me again, your explorer of Minecraft exotica, and today I'm as happy as a kid on Christmas morning! When I heard that in snapshot 25w44a of Minecraft 1.22 horses and camels could swim, my first thought was: «Did the devs really do this?!» Believe me, not every update makes me want to drop everything and check it out immediately, but this time I didn't even finish my tea — I ran to explore the new feature.

How it was before: pain, struggle, and sinking hopes

Let's be honest: traveling on horseback used to be great until you hit the first river. You'd just start feeling like a local Indiana Jones, and then — bam — a river in your way. That's it, dismount, try to lead your horse across (it, of course, sinks like a rock), swim yourself, and pray your companion doesn't get lost. Sometimes you even wanted to change your life and stay a miner forever. Sound familiar?

A new era: wow, now horses really swim!

And now, drumroll please: they actually SWIM! Honestly, when I first entered the water with my trusty horse, everything inside me flipped! I won't lie, I was skeptical, expecting a catch: maybe they'd just splash a bit and sink… But no, my cubic friend confidently paddled with its hooves and led me to new land. The controls barely changed, but now the splashing sound adds epicness, and you feel almost like a pirate on a horse ship.

The camel in action: captain vibes — 10 out of 10

Big respect to the developers for the camel. My first thought — it's like a jeep among mobs! With its high "seat," no drowned mobs can reach you, and you feel like the captain of an expedition. It's especially fun with two players: your friend hops on the back — and you organize swims where the screams and laughter can be heard by all the villagers nearby. Honestly, I haven't had this much fun in Minecraft in ages!

Practical tips for underwater adventurers

Here are a few of my signature tips (all tested personally and on my poor horses):

• Plan your route! Crossing an entire ocean — sure, it's fun, but animals aren't as fast as boats. If you want to enjoy sunsets — it's your choice, but it's best for rivers, lakes, and small straits.
• Stay away from guardians! On a camel, you're the king against drowned mobs, but temple guardians — that's no joke. A direct encounter could end in an unepic return home.
• Caravans — the new reality! Did you know you can now leash a bunch of horses and swim with the whole group? Chickens, skeletons, and all the curious mobs will be watching. It's a hilariously intimidating sight, especially if you have a group of friends on camels.

Personal opinion: this was the best surprise of the year

Honestly, I rarely get this excited about updates. But this — it was like a gift, as if Mojang said: "You wanted to swim? Here you go, and don't complain!" It gives so much freedom and joy that now all journeys — are on horseback. No more leaving your steed on the shore, building weird bridges, or creating overly complicated logistics for an expedition to the other side. Just mount up and swim!

And one more thing: the game feels even more alive now. The world seems to invite you to explore what once seemed inaccessible. It was something else, guys! I highly recommend not waiting and diving into the new water routes right away.

And now — your turn!

Have you tried this mechanic yet? What emotions, what stories? Share them in the comments — I'm really curious to know how it went for you. And if anyone had funny swimming fails — I'm especially looking forward to your stories!

Wishing you awesome (and wet) adventures, and may your horses become the best swimmers in the Minecraft world!