Preparing to ride on the beach?

H

Hovis_and_SidsMum

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Any tips?
i currently have:
2 volunteers to try to corall Hovis between their horses.
A large bungee to stretch across the beach to try to stop the destroyer in the event of brake failure
Superclue to attach me to the saddle
A map of the english coastine from lincolnshire to kent so i can find my way back when the bugger actually runs out of steam.

We're not going til July but i like to plan ahead!
Seriously does everyones horses go spongo on the beach or do some not bat an eyelid?
 
well I was actually thinking of a few of those.

From experience most horses first time on the beach are a little bit awestruck and tend not to go anywhere or be too excited, you might just manage to get canter when they get their confidence up. After multiple visits my normally calm welsh refuses to stand still so comes tacked up whereas mothers normally spritely anglo mare will tie on back of box on beach while mum gets her ready so not sure you can tell!

Also check tide times and heights. Depending on the beach (we are severn estuary so v tidal and v muddy in places) - depends if you want to swim or not poss or also you don't want to get stuck in a high tide- would check with a local on this one. check if there are any areas of the beach to be avoided, mud old wrecks etc.- also some local knowledge may be helpful- suggest ask hho!

also take

Lunch, lots of

sunshine

don't worry about the brakes, is a sure fire way to stop any of them running off, kick on and make them run for another mile, most tend to change their mind then!
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when i toke my boy to the beach he was supprisling calm untill he saw the white line in the waves, and the lines in the sand, but no it was a reli nice ride

have fun xx
 
My horse loves the beach when he goes nuts i let him go on the hard sand and when cant stop steer him on to softer sand this slows him down !!
 
is this a busy beach during summer? if so, I really would not be taking a horse who may or may not behave well. If it's a quiet beach, then enjoy yourself
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Bodey didn’t bat an eye lid when I took him to the beach (I went with my riding club so there was loads of other horses), we had a fab time, galloping and jumping the break waters. Don’t worry just go and have fun!!!
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Fab image of hovis popping over windbreaks though for some reason I can also imagine him stealing some small child's icecream!!

another plan (used frequently on a 12.2 pony who I couldn't stop in a pelham and a grackle- was a bit lighter then but not much) if can't stop head for a dune, however avoid any beach wardens whilst doing to
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He also use to love the sea and would often jump the odd wave, he was great as a great lead for those not so sure and loved to swim (he didn't have to go that far out!)

Oh and beware of naturists in dunes, their faces though are highly amusing even when you are on a pony, not sure you should subject them to hovis coming over the hill.

One horse we took down recently acted like he had never had sand under his feet before snorting at it and shaking his legs etc (he has 2 sand arenas at home!) he was ok after about 10 mins
 
Walk the beach first (if you can!!) or get a friend to, to check for hidden dangers (rocks half-buried in the sand, fishing lines, little streams he might hit at speed or take a flier over)


Have fun!
 
Speeking of jumping windbreaks I once told a 8yr friend to turn her 12.1 pony at a wind breaker to stop him only to them happily land on the other side :|
 
when i used to have a pony i took him to the beach. he went galloping into the sea, saw a wave, turned round & galloped out again! i then got him to jump the waves & he loved it. i had no brakes, but this wasnt unusual for him!
 
a spare set of clothes! y wonder ful horse dumped me straight in the sea. BUT we did have the most wonderful gallop!

some piccies..

beach013.jpg


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A camera to take photos and let us see how you get on - Especially vital to get the end shots when you are so bloody thrilled with yourself for going for it - you'll have a huge cheesy grin!!!

Expect to hang on for dear life - but later over a glass of wine you can recall the story as if it was a scene from International Velvet!
 
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