Beaches open to horses on Somerset, Dorset or Devon coastlines

Eriskayowner

Eriskayowner

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When I kept the horses in Dorset I used to ride a few times at Studland at the appropriate times of the year.

Now I've moved them to near Taunton, Studland is a bit far (but still possible). I'd have to hire a box wherever we go but the closer the better really!

Does anyone have any recommendations for nearby?
 
I live near Bridgwater and have heard that a lot of people here go to Brean, near Burnham on Sea. Haven't been myself yet but was planning to do it over the winter when it is open to horses. If anyone on here has any info about Brean please pass it on.
 
we always go to brean. you can go in the water (sinking sand)
but 8 miles to gallop around on!

A friend told me Studland was fab.

Id like to go somewhere different so it will be nice to hear what other people say on this topic.
 
Thanks Blucanoo - that's interesting about Brean. If the sand is safe then it could be worth a try :)

Peter - that could also be worth a try as well. I've walked the dog along that route but didn't know it was open to horses!

MiJods - good thinking about the PC websites - will have a look!

Thanks everyone :)
 
i've gone to brean and also weston-super-mare beach, each time i've gone to canter on brean i've been told i can't by the officials in the car, they never gave a reason but said i was only to walk. there are mud flaps there so you do have to be quite alert and don't go into the sea.
weston isn't as long as brean but the sand is lovely and if the tide is in you can go on the sea edge, again better to go when it's quieter though (evenings or winter) i don't think you can ride on there in the summer busy times.
 
We used to go to Brean and Berrow, but I would NEVER go again. My friend nearly lost her mare there when she got stuck in quicksand; how they got her out, I'll never know, but she was submerged almost over her back. It was a major rescue operation - all the emergency services involved. After that, I vowed I'd never put my horse at risk, once I knew.
 
sorry about your friends mare MizElz but brean and berrow are fine if you are sensible thousands of horses use it every year and I don't recall the last time there was a problem also you are much better off having someone with you that know the beach as there are occasionally muddy patches and banks of sand but a few simple rules keep everyone safe (I have a friend who lives in hacking distance and learnt the beach on her 12.2! I cringe when I see where some people ride their horses down there and I will never take mine in the sea (if it is high enough!) as you cannot be sure of footing.

ps OP am always happy to do escort duty to point out the bad spots but have also sent people down there with enough instructions that they have been fine (trendybraincell will confirm!)


some points I might as well add here, if in doubt stay near the dunes. this is and will always be pure sand and not silty apart from right down at brean down where it comes round as a cove but its long enough that you don't have to go that far! If a patch looks wet and you aren't sure avoid it. Go with someone else and keep an eye on eachothers footprints, if they start to get a bit deep head towards the dunes of if you find yourself on a sandbank retrace your steps and if you don't know the beach walk/trot a section before you canter.

Basically any silty patches are localised, it helps if you know where they are but they are also often quite obvious if you are aware.

I know that makes it sound like quite a chore but it's bloody good fun!

riding_high I just saw your comment, cantering is not permitted in the parking stretches, ie the sections with wooden bollards either side at berrow and the last section at brean and the wardens will point this out and also shout if you go in the dunes.
 
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