Taking a horse to the beach on their own?

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Essentially would you?
I really want to go this winter but have nobody else to go with.
The horse in question is exceptionally well behaved on his own when on roads, in open spaces, at competitions and to travel etc. however he has never been to the coast.
I would obviously have a person on foot for assistance.
Thought please?
Wine and chocolate on offer :)
 
I don't see a problem there based on what you've said about the horse's general behaviour in other situations - plus the person on foot would make me even more inclined to give it a try.
 
As someone who lived by the coast it seems odd to me that you wouldnt! Honestly, horses just get on with it. The only time we had issues was with going into the waves, but pootling along the sand was never an issue :)
 
Friend does it, take phone, let someone know when u r going and attach tag with details to bridle or saddle (must do this myself). If wsm or close by I will come with u!!
 
I box to the beach on my own all the time. It's no different to going for a hack anywhere else, in my opinion.
I prefer going alone as I can please myself!
 
I tried this a couple of weeks ago with "Mr Bombproof Superstar Not Afraid of Anything" highland pony.

It was a DISASTER.
To start with he wouldn't step onto the sand(he was clearly going to sink in his mind.. Even though we have a SAND school at the yard.
We then got into dry sand after considerable persuasion.... He then decided he is not going anywhere near that wavey wet sand and continues to walk like a hackney along the dry sand.
So finally we get into the wet sand.....
The seaweed was out to get us.. Unbeknownst to me it's actually a horse eating snake!!

Then we get to the water.

Forget it says he... What are these things comes towards me?!!!
Half an hour later and one half inch paddle on the water after me dismounting and coaxing with polos we see other horses in the distance.

EXCELLENT says me he'll follow them! He then spots the other horses and starts neighing at the top of his lungs.. Totally embarrassing and odd for us both! I firstly apolgise to the riders explain the situation and they attempt to coax him in with the other horses. FAIL. After 5 mins I them kindly and give up.

We spent the rest of our beach time in the grass jumping the little benches.
All in all a good day was had.. But we shall definitely need to take a friend and a hell of a lot more polos.

And to add.
The local search and rescue helicopter was obviously training and flying within metres of us at times... But this wasn't as big a threat as the seaweed!!

But do enjoy your time! Take a spare change of clothes just in case your lucky enough to have a horse who enjoy the sea!
 
As long as you have someone on foot with you I'm sure it will be fine - ish!

I took my well seasoned horse to the beach for the first time and I have to say it was a slightly wild experience to start with!! After an ungrateful dismount whilst trying to get on I then (after take 2) had to kick on and keep moving, and keep moving and keep moving .... Meep!!
 
Took mine few years ago at Yorkshire, Robin Hoods Bay, did it on my own, 4 hours ride from the holiday farm we were staying at, I was aware that I couldn't have an accident and going to be 4 hours ride back, so took my time to introduce him to going in the water, he wasn't keen on the little waves/breakers to start with and sniffed and tasted the water, but soon got the idea it was ok, just don't rush it.
 
Have to say mine thought he was on the moon, eyes on stalks, eyeing the sand blowing like it was going to sting and the twigs kn the ground....oooh scary ! Luckily we were with a very sensible companion and he did manage a canter without stupidity ....
 
I've thought about it, especially as I am within hacking distance, but the whole 'where do I put the car keys so they don't get soaked?' and 'who's going to scoop all the poos?' sort of put me off a bit. The roads are very busy, so taking the trailer would be easier from that point of view, plus I wouldn't have to try to figure out what to do with the inevitable poos that I would struggle to scoop on my ownsome :D! And I'd probably have to start out in the dark, on a chilly winter's morning, or come back in the dark in the evening.

Maybe I'll wait until I'm somewhere less hassle!

If it wasn't for the above, I'd definitely go :)
 
I go to the beach almost everyday by myself in summer. Its the only hacking I have. Horse is just as good as she was today out with four others.
 
We have a cob who's scared of her own shadow. Surprisingly she was really good.
It helps if you can have a lead reign so they can follow someone they trust - and that person can go a bit into the sea so the horse can see they won't get instantly gobbled up.
You will only know once you've been. If they hate it then you can pack up and go. Nothing really lost.
I say go for it.
 
I go everywhere on my own. I do make sure that there is id on my horse all all times, a dog tag on my saddle and a dog tag on my bridle. Both have all my details, emergency numbers etc. Have fun.
 
Lintel said:
I tried this a couple of weeks ago with "Mr Bombproof Superstar Not Afraid of Anything" highland pony.

It was a DISASTER.
To start with he wouldn't step onto the sand(he was clearly going to sink in his mind.. Even though we have a SAND school at the yard.
We then got into dry sand after considerable persuasion.... He then decided he is not going anywhere near that wavey wet sand and continues to walk like a hackney along the dry sand.
So finally we get into the wet sand.....
The seaweed was out to get us.. Unbeknownst to me it's actually a horse eating snake!!

Then we get to the water.

Forget it says he... What are these things comes towards me?!!!
Half an hour later and one half inch paddle on the water after me dismounting and coaxing with polos we see other horses in the distance.

EXCELLENT says me he'll follow them! He then spots the other horses and starts neighing at the top of his lungs.. Totally embarrassing and odd for us both! I firstly apolgise to the riders explain the situation and they attempt to coax him in with the other horses. FAIL. After 5 mins I them kindly and give up.

We spent the rest of our beach time in the grass jumping the little benches.
All in all a good day was had.. But we shall definitely need to take a friend and a hell of a lot more polos.

And to add.
The local search and rescue helicopter was obviously training and flying within metres of us at times... But this wasn't as big a threat as the seaweed!!

But do enjoy your time! Take a spare change of clothes just in case your lucky enough to have a horse who enjoy the sea!
Click to expand...

Hahaha this sounds exactly like my horse! I've been trying for years to get him to enjoy the beach, we go all the time, but no, he's convinced it's the work of the devil. He's a bit better now I suppose, but I just want to go and have some fun, without all this faffing around, some days it takes ages to even get on the sand.
And he's 19 now and has been going on local beaches for at least 10 years, it's his only silly thing (well, that and pigs), in all other respects he's a total star.
 
MrsNorris said:
Hahaha this sounds exactly like my horse! I've been trying for years to get him to enjoy the beach, we go all the time, but no, he's convinced it's the work of the devil. He's a bit better now I suppose, but I just want to go and have some fun, without all this faffing around, some days it takes ages to even get on the sand.
And he's 19 now and has been going on local beaches for at least 10 years, it's his only silly thing (well, that and pigs), in all other respects he's a total star.
Click to expand...

Haha that funny my boy isn't overly keen on pigs either... Don't worry about the combine harvester hurtling towards us!!! But the pigs must be a serious threat!
 
With a person on foot absolutely - not sure I'd go completely on my own. I've been to plenty of competitions alone including xc or odes but that's because if anything happened I'd be surrounded by people who knew what to do but wouldn't be so confident at the beach even with a sensible horse.
 
I just did a week or so ago. There happened to be another few there, who were galloping about but they were respectful and stayed their end of the beach, and my horse was fine.
 
I take my mare to the beach in the trailer - it is the only hacking we do (I won't go on the roads for fear of being squished!). I take a walking polo dispenser with me (aiming to not need that long term, but the company is reassuring) and so far so good. She's not really convinced about the safety of walking on ground that moves - and it took a while to persuade her to get hooves wet.

My gelding (who is at a different yard) goes on the beach all the time. Loves it now, but did take a couple of months to get to that point - we started him with lots of other horses for company, but he is a bit of a herd boy, so that suits him.

It's good fun. Good luck.
 
I took my rather nervous mare to the beach alone after planning to go with a friend who let me down at last minute. Rather than cancel I went alone and really enjoyed it. I was even complimented my mares lovely collected canter across the sand. I think you should just go for it!
 
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