beach should I or shouldn't I?????????

[Quartz]

For anyone not up to date I have been battling with my confidence after my horse took off with me on a hack and general jumping problems. Anyway, confidence is slowly coming back, have done one hack on the same route that he took off on and a few just going round the village for 20 mins. Schooling going well (except of course jumping but thats a whole other story).

So my question being.... my YO is organising a trip to the beach!! I have never done this before and its always been a dream to do. However, I just don't know whether to go or not, on one hand think yes grab the bull by the horns and go for it. On the other hand have awful images of horses darting off down beach and just been a general nightmare and getting too overexcited (hes only 7 and never been to the beach before). There would be about 8 other people there, so could wedge myself in so cannot get to the front.

So should I or shouldn't I???????

 

[benson21]

Yeah, go for it! Make sure you stay in the edge of the water, and turn him into it if you feel he is going a bit too well!

 

[quirky]

Would you go on a hack with the same 7/8 horses? Would you have a canter up the field with them?

The thing with the beach is there is nothing to stop at, no hedges to turn towards.
Would you be confident of stopping your horse if another one took off?
Or if not stopping him, being confident/happy to deal with him having high jinx?

If I was you, I'd maybe pop down and have a look, see if you think you'd cope.

In preference, I would go with one other horse and rider who were happy to nanny you if necessary.

ETS: Beach sand is very unforgiving to fall off on, it is so compact, it is like concrete.
Also, if your horse is bold when it comes to water, turning him into it isn't a sure way to stop him, he just might go far enough out to start swimming .

 

[Quartz]

Yeah, go for it! Make sure you stay in the edge of the water, and turn him into it if you feel he is going a bit too well!

Ohhh, good tip, thanks. Was thinking more of doing endless circles on the sand but that sounds better.

 

[benson21]

First time I took Benson, I was soooo nervous, but that was the tip I was given, and it worked! There was a couple of times he got a bit keen with me, so we headed into the sea, and by the time it was up to his knees he was back to a trot.

 

[Quartz]

Would you go on a hack with the same 7/8 horses? Would you have a canter up the field with them?

The thing with the beach is there is nothing to stop at, no hedges to turn towards.
Would you be confident of stopping your horse if another one took off?
Or if not stopping him, being confident/happy to deal with him having high jinx?

If I was you, I'd maybe pop down and have a look, see if you think you'd cope.

In preference, I would go with one other horse and rider who were happy to nanny you if necessary.

ETS: Beach sand is very unforgiving to fall off on, it is so compact, it is like concrete.
Also, if your horse is bold when it comes to water, turning him into it isn't a sure way to stop him, he just might go far enough out to start swimming .

There will be a few kids going as well on this trip, so to be honest I don't think she will have us all galloping or cantering down the beach. I think that will be more at the end where we will divide and more experienced riders will go and canter or gallop and others will stay at the van getting other horses ready to go home. I am more worried he will decide to take off even in trot.

 

[quirky]

You see, I'd be mortified having to be rescued by the lifeboat like this horse was ....

http://www.horsemagazine.co.uk/news/Brave_teenager_races_to_the_rescue_article_39735.html

 

[Quartz]

You see, I'd be mortified having to be rescued by the lifeboat like this horse was ....

http://www.horsemagazine.co.uk/news/Brave_teenager_races_to_the_rescue_article_39735.html

So would I! But one thing I know is if he swims out to sea I'm not going after him, as I'm pretty sure he's a much better/stronger swimmer than me!!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Its your decision at the end of the day but it is the most wonderful feeling going flying down the beach on a horse!!!
I've never taken my girl (it was another horse) but I've heard she is an absolute nutter and I can't wait!!
I would hope that you have the confidence to go as I think you will really enjoy it - and a good day on the beach will certainly bump up your confidence!!
K x

 

[Lolo]

I'd go, but bit up a bit. This might get me jumped on, but say he's usually in a normal snaffle put him in a cheltenham gag with 2 reins so you have the extra oomph behind your commands if he does get strong so you feel more confident, but you can spend most of the ride on the snaffle rein. The beach is brilliant fun, and I took my (strong, slightly mad) horse a fair few times and had a blast!

 

[canteron]

Ideally NO ... this is why.

If you go with a group of people who may go crazy, your horse may always think that the beach is the most amazing party and always get overexcited when you go to the beach. Essentially you will train you horse that beach means crazy gallop. All well and good if thats what you like in a horse.

On the other hand, if you go for it you may well find that you have more control that you think when going fast and that may help your confidence ..... but it is a long shot!

 

[Umbongo]

I have seen your posts about him bolting, could you maybe go to the beach and not canter/gallop, and go back to the trailer with the less experienced riders?

If he did get over excited (I am assuming that the other horses might too which may not help) and gallop off, not only could you loose your confidence again, but it could also cause an accident if there are any dog walkers/children about.

There will always be another time. When I first took my mare I was unsure of how she would react. The first time I just stuck with another horse and we had a nice walk and trot on the beach as she was fairly spooky. At the end I had a little canter and all was well. Once I knew I could handle her, the next time we went was for a good canter and gallop along the beach and was great fun, the best feeling ever

We did have an issue with a little pony who bolted with his rider and was galloping towards a group of kids!! Luckily she managed to turn him towards the sea and he slowed.

If not then maybe up his bit. I wouldn't normally however my friend took an ex polo pony so changed her to a cheltenham gag just in case!

 

[hayinamanger]

Beach riding is usually pretty fast, even with the best intentions in the world it is difficult to go at a steady pace...even when the horses do it every day they still get very excited and you can find yourself in a race situation. People who consider themselves to be good riders can find often find it a little too exciting!

I would be wary, find out who is going..are they aware of your concerns? Do they ride the beach regularly? Would it be your horse's first beach ride?

It would be a shame if you lost the confidence you have regained, I don't want to put a downer on this but I suggest you go with a friend who has a nice quiet horse that is used to the beach and just walk/trot for the first few times.

 

[Dirty_D]

I'd say do it if there's someone there you can maybe go off with if the others want to bomb about.

When we go i dont mind fast cantering Charlie but when everyone else wants to flat out gallop i either go the other way with another horse or just get off and he stands still whilst they have a blast.

Even if all you wanted to do was walk and trot as long as theres someone else there who's like minded you can do as you please.

Have a fab time and make sure you employ a camera person for the day!

 

[BlizzardBudd]

if you think you can handle it and have a slow horse going that you can just plod with then yes it is amazing! think you would enjoy it. would someone else ride yours and you ride a sensible horse that has been before??

 

[Quartz]

Oh, lots of different opinions and advice here!!! Still not sure what to do. Think I will have a chat with YO and see what she has in mind for the day. May put my name down as limited spaces in vans, then can see how I feel nearer the time. I could do a few more hacks out before hand and see how it all goes. I know that lots of the girls at the yard have a good laugh about how excited the horses all get at the beach. Hmmmmm, will mull it over a bit more I think.

 

[spider]

Go - but without a horse. See exactly what is involved and then you can plan strategies and take him next time.

 

[noblesteed]

I think there is something about the beach and horses wanting to run. i hack my horse alone down to the beach regularly and he is always on his toes, far more so than if he were in a field, arena, anywhere really! It has taken me a good while to train him to walk calmly along, but he does it now.
You can always stop your horse by turning him round. Mine can really tank so I have to do that. I would find out what the other riders plan on doing. If they are going for a good gallop, if you are happy to join them and they are sensitive to your nerves then that is fine. It may give you more confidence travelling at speed as you will have plenty of help from others around you and you will learn how to control your horse at speed, so in the long run you might worry less about the bolting in future as you will have learned to deal with it...

 

[JenHunt]

My sister and I go to the beach about once a year with ours... we have to warm up by doing some walk and trot circles as they're both on their toes, then we let them go the 4 miles to one end at a good canter with patches of gallop and trot. They paddle in the water at the far end, then we have another gallop back, then get them to walk and paddle the last mile and a half or so.

They do think its exciting, but I don't know any horse who doesn't. The trick is to use the sea to your advantage, to know that he'll get tired out before he gets you into bother, and to relax and enjoy the feeling.

I would say OP, go as long as you have someone who is in control of the situation to help you stay confident.