Do pigs, fly, i mean swim?

[elbesta]

I want to fence a pasture area that has a small river that flows on two sides. I the summer it lowers to about 16" deep and 12' wide. Anyone know if pigs will try and cross the river. Will they try and jump down a 6 to 8' bank. I always had pigs in a pen never on open pasture.

 

[M.L. McKnight]

I have had hogs that splashed in the water and had a good old time. You'll need to be mindful of your babies so they don't drown and will need to watch your gilts/sows because hogs have been known to try to farrow in the water on hot days. You're listed in Idaho so I doubt that will be a problem but I'd rather be safe.
As for the jumping, unless it is really hot or you have some dare devil hogs, I doubt they'll risk a 6-8' leap.

My hogs are on pasture and make a nice mud spa or two in the warmer months. I thought I would have enough shade for them and keep enough water so they wouldn't want to make a waller, WRONG! I then though that I could keep them from making such a big waller if I moved their water, WRONG! It got to the point where those rascals would drag the trough and dump it in their mud hole! I decided that THAT took some real determination and just made sure that I refilled their little pool at feeding time everyday.
I told you that little story to let you know that your hogs will make a gathering hole even if you have tons of shade in your pasture for them. It is best to let them keep the first one they make and refill it for them, otherwise they will make a number of them. When the weather cools, the ground will harden and you can hit that spot with your tiller, toss a handful of seeds on it and it'll become a fertile little patch in no time.

Pigs on pasture are a pretty sight, just be prepared to see a bit more brown and a tad less green.