Horse riding on the beach is an idyllic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Equestrians have grown up watching movies like The Black Stallion, being envious of Alec as he galloped bareback down the beach. It is a bucket-list event for many riders. But, how do you go about taking your horse to the beach? Where are you allowed to ride? How should you prepare?

Before you can go cantering down the shoreline, a few things need to be taken into consideration. Ordinances and laws could block your horse from even stepping onto the beach. Preparation at home can reduce stress for your horse. There are also certain risks you should be aware of beforehand. Once you learn all of the necessary tips and tricks, you’ll be riding on the beach in no time!

Where can you go horse riding on the beach?

Though it may seem tempting to throw your horse in the trailer and haul them to the nearest beach, that might not be entirely legal. Some beaches have ordinances in place that prohibit horseback riding. This is often due to concerns with how manure affects bacteria levels in the water. Make a list of all the beaches near you, and then look up the county or park-specific rules in regards to horseback riding. You may find that you have to cross a lot of beaches off of your list until you can find one to ride at.

If you’re not able to find a beach that allows horses, it might still be possible to ride at a beach with ordinances prohibiting equine. Sometimes it is possible to get around these laws by requesting a special use permit from the county or city. If horses are not allowed on the beach, contact the local offices that are responsible for the beach to see if they could issue a permit.

Popular Places for Horseback Riding on the Beach

• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Oceano Dunes Preserve, California
• Willamette Coast, Oregon
• Hatteras, North Carolina

How to prepare to go horse riding on the beach

For an unprepared horse and rider, riding on the beach is a lot more stressful than it should be. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make sure both you and your horse are prepped and ready for the beach.

Firstly at home, make sure you have build a connection with your horse. A great way to do this is with at liberty horse exercises. Polework exercises are also very useful to help you horse get used to strange things around his legs.

Before you go to the beach, I would also recommend talking your horse out in hand on walks in your neighbourhood to get used to children, cars, dogs, & other things you might encounter at the car park at the beach. We have a step by step confidence training program that is very useful.

At home, you can introduce your horse to water obstacles. This will hopefully make them more comfortable with water so they are not as spooked by the ocean. However, big bodies of water might still be frightening for your horse, so keep your expectations low. They might not want to swim or get too close to the water on their first visit to the beach. It might take a few trips before they get confident around the water.

Make sure you scope out the beach and the parking situation before you bring your horse. Plan a day to drive to the beach and check it out. Walk around to see if there are any potential dangers along the beach like sharp objects, glass, or anything that could cause injury to your horse. Ensure there is enough space in the parking lot for your truck and trailer. You need to be able to get in and out easily and have room to unload safely.

Before you go, make sure you are familiar with the tides. It is best to ride when the tides are low and the water is calm. The first visit to the beach should be a good experience for your horse, so the less threatening the water looks, the better!

Make sure to bring fresh water for your horse, as there might not be an adequate water source nearby. They might want some hay for the trailer ride, too! Pack a vet kit just in case anything goes awry. It is also a good idea to make sure your phone is fully charged in case you have to contact somebody for help.

If possible, it is a good idea to bring a friend along who been horse riding on the beach with their horse before. It may be calming for your horse to have another horse there who is un-phased by the experience. It is also good to have somebody there to help you in case anything goes wrong. Plus, it is fun to have somebody to share the moment with you! If you don’t know anybody who has taken their horse to the beach, you could try making a post on Facebook in local horse groups. You might be able to find someone willing to come with you.

Finally, consider getting an equestrian journal so you can save all your beach memories!

Risks to Consider

If you’ve ever been to the beach before, you know how difficult it can be to walk through the deep sand, lugging around all of your beach supplies. Deep footing at the beach poses risks of injury to your horse’s tendons, ligaments, and muscles. They can strain themselves trying to walk through the sand. Because of this, it is best to stick to the areas closer to the water where the footing is more firm and tightly packed. If you have to ride your horse through the dry, deep sand, make sure to keep them at a walk to prevent further strain on their muscles.

Saltwater could potentially damage your tack and riding gear. If you’re heading to the ocean, you might want to wear older clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and ride your horse bareback, if it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, let your tack dry out sufficiently and clean it well after your beach ride.

Sand can be damaging to your horse’s hooves, as well. It would be advisable to have your farrier out after the beach ride. Not to mention, people do not always take the best care of their beaches. There might be bottles, glass, or other debris lurking beneath the sand. Make sure you are watching where your horse is walking to try to eliminate these risks.

Watch the waves, too. Don’t ride too deep into the water, because it could quickly become dangerous if a big wave comes. Hock-deep water can turn into belly-deep water when a wave passes.

Conclusion

It is every equestrians’ dream to go horse riding on the beach. Make that dream a reality! Find a beach that allows horses or get a special permit to ride. Use the tips and tricks from this article to make your beach ride a pleasant experience for both you and your horse. Preparing yourself beforehand helps ensure a successful ride. There are some risks and dangers involved, but taking proper precautions can help prevent injury or other damage. Good luck riders, and have fun!

Have you ridden on the beach? Was it fun? Let me know in the comments.