Looking for a BIG BIG favour

[davenlisa]

Hello and Good Morning to all Members.
This may sound a little 'left-field' to you all
but it's very important to me and my partner.
Her name is Lisa and unfortunately was diagnosed with Lung Cancer some 18mths ago,it isn't curable but with treatments available her life expectancy can be extended.
She has undergone Immunotherapy and Radio Therapy,both of which have really impacted on her daily living.She has good days and bad days,and has a very positive outlook still,despite the long term prognosis.
So we spend time when she feels OK just doing stuff and making memories,we travel and stay in 'Corey' our VW Campervan and enjoy the simple things like beautiful scenery,sunsets etc.
One thing Lisa would love to do whilst she is still able is to ride a horse on a beach.
She has ridden in the past,most recently 3-4 years back,so isn't a complete novice but due to her condition perhaps should be regarded as such.I have tried contacting one or two Riding Establushments who offer Beach Rides but have not been successful in finding one that offers only short rides,most being 1-2 hours long,something I feel may be too long for Lisa.
I am hoping to find someone on here with a fairly sedate horse,who would be willing to allow her to 'have a short' ride,supervised of course on a beach near to us.We live in Herefordshire so places like Weston and Barry etc would be ideal.
Thanking you all for reading this plea.
Best Regards,
Mr Dave Howley

 

[Birker2020]

I'm sorry I cant help you but I hope Lisa acheives her dream.

Sending love your way ❤

 

[AmyMay]

I suspect that any establishment offering beach rides locally would be happy to do a bucket wish short ride on a beach for your partner.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Probably too far for you but the Sussex Riding School would v likely help out..
As Amymay says, worth trying by phone to more easy to get to riding schools. I hope you are successful and wish you both all the best.

 

[Surbie]

If you are out and about in the campervan for a weekend and fancy a trip to the Isle of Wight, Sally's Riding School does beach rides of an hour for nearly all levels of rider - I bet they would do a shorter version for you. And the Island is lovely.

 

[Skib]

Studland riding school used to do beach rides, amd I think they still do. My OH and I met friends there to ride long ago. OH and I were only starting to canter and the RS did not sneer at us and took good care of us. However one rider in our group proved incapable of controlling her horse. He was simply grazing and she could not prevent him, so OH and I were asked to wait while that rider was escorted back to the yard.

The access to the beach involved a short bridle track but then a short length of road and anyone riding a horse on a road needs to have proper control of that horse. I would really like to go back there and have a proper beach canter but that beach became far more crowded due to Covid with people on Staycations. OH and I walked all along it and I could hardly believe it was the same beach where we had cantered.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Have you tried contacting the Riding for Disabled Association? Even if they can't help directly they might be able to advise who to contact.

Or a charity like The Purple Hearts Wishes might be able to help?

Hope Lisa gets to rode on the beach very soon. x

 

[Rowreach]

I’m too far away to help but I’m just bumping the thread and I hope that Lisa gets her beach ride.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm too far away have have no beach steady horses! I hope you manage to find someone to help get Lisa her wish.

 

[twiggy2]

In your shoes I would phone the places that offer beach rides and discuss meeting them at the beach with a suitable horse and someone to accompany Lisa for a wander along the beach.
I hope you can make it happen.

 

[gryff]

Contact Ogmore riding school. They'll be able to do something for you, I'm sure. Lovely riding.

 

[[153312]]

cumbrian heavy horses?

 

[ycbm]

I can't help but want to say what a lovely partner you are. I hope you fulfil Lisa's dream.

 

[Skib]

Reading this thread again, I realise I should have suggested booking and paying for a private hack. Not a group ride. Or one could even discuss booking a lead out ride on a beach.
Any beach may be a place where horses are used to cantering so you need a calm pony.

Remember that it is usually necessary too in the UK for RSs to ask any new client to do a w t and c test in the school before hacking out. It is a safety thing to make sure one wont topple off if there is an unsolicited canter.
My experience as an older beginner was that these things cannot be discussed with an RS over the phone which is often manned by a receptionist. You need to email the owners of the RS, explain the situation as you have here, and ask whether they can help your friend.

 

[Ratface]

I hope that you and your partner will have a lovely experience of riding on a beach. I'm miles away from you and any beaches and my horse is as daft as a brush, so can't help directly.
The suggestions made above seem eminently sensible and I wish you both success in all your ventures, especially this one.

 

[Red-1]

I am not in your area but think you are an amazingly supportive partner and hope you manage to get this organised.

 

[Bob notacob]

Hope you both get lucky.

 

[moosea]

May I suggest you contact the willow foundation. They organised for me to ride on the beach during my chemo.

 

[norolim]

Is Cornwall too far? Cornwall Swimming Horses do private beach rides from novice up.

Hoofin About horse riding holidays do beach rides in Wales. Also Trans-Wales might be able to help. Good luck