I like your avatar! I have a white (well typically he is grey) QH Gelding that I ride sometimes. His name is Mo. Pretty boring, but he came with it, and he is 22, so thought we better not change it! He acts like he is 10. Except he gets stiff legs in the winter. He is not perfect by any means. I have always wanted to go swimming, but there is no way I could get Him to go in!
But see if your girlfriends horses will go in ?? Or mostly take your boy down and take your TIME !! Pet and love him !! Even for the TINNYEST TRY !