In The Sand

Everyone likes beaches. Everyone likes horses. But what if we put them together? The perfect vacation is riding horses down a clean and neat beach, but there are some precautions you should take. Once your horse is groomed and tacked up (even better, ride bareback), don't forget the sunblock. The sun's rays reflect off the water and white beach and although the air may be cool, sunburn can still occur. If your horse has a white nose, apply sunblock to it, too. If this is your horse's first visit, he may be a little anxious about-the strange surroundings, even if he is a seasoned show horse. Depending on your experience and the disposition of your horse, you may want to hand-walk him on the beach before mounting.

Once astride, take your time introducing your horse to the ocean. If you face the water, he may think you want him to cross it and he'll balk. When you ride parallel to the ocean, the waves create an optical illusion as they break on the shoreline and pull the sand back in their retreat. Your horse may prance sideways trying to avoid the waves' attack. It is better to acclimate him first by riding on the beach away from the water. Remember to avoid the sand dunes, especially since your horse may try to return to the trailer. There are heavy fines for riding on the dunes and damaging the natural grasses and wildlife.

Start in the deep sand about halfway between the dunes and the water. Keep a lookout for trash and natural debris that may cause injury to your horse. When you have an open section of sand, free of other beach lovers and their vehicles, urge your horse into a trot and then canter. Don't worry if his power becomes alarming as he makes huge strides through the deep sand. What's he going to do, run away to New York? Let him have his head, rise up in a forward seat position and enjoy! I found that horses have difficulty trying to buck while running in deep sand. I also found that a lazy lesson horse suddenly has competitive qualities I never knew he possessed, as a group will race neck to neck. Like deep snow, deep sand makes maintaining a two-beat trot difficult; it is much easier to conquer with a four-beat walk or gallop.

In The Water

Once your horse has adapted to the beach runs and is actually enjoying this different type of trail ride, introduce him to the water. Leg yield him closer and closer to the shoreline, and let him feel the hard-packed sand at a walk and gallop.As the waves approach, be firm with your leg commands if he tries to move away from the water. Let him smell the surf, but don't give in to his reluctance. Watch out for too much pawing; it often means the horse will roll! Some horses welcome the cool water and will swim in over their heads, especially if they have had experience swimming in ponds at home. Other horses, like some people, may not care for the water and only go in ankle deep.

Words of Warning

A few words of caution: first and foremost, watch your horse's respiration rate when galloping. Although it may not be a 90 degree day with 99% humidity, the workout can tax even the horse that is in the best condition. When the horse's breathing becomes labored during a run, sit back and ask for him to slow down. Remain at a walk until his respiration and heart rates are more normal before asking for a gallop again.

Second, unless you like to eat sand, ride side-by-side. The stronger horses will pull ahead, but it is better to not be directly behind them.

Also watch for fishing lines, with or without the fishermen present. The lines are hard to see and it is easy to become entangled with them.