chappers1990
Active Member
Gulp! I hope he's good, any tips on keeping my nerves down?!
Taking my boy to the beach for the first time..
- Thread starter chappers1990
- Start date
gocharliego
Well-Known Member
Ahhh I'm sure you will have a brilliant time! No nerve tips but one thing I will say is just remember to walk over any sand you are planning to canter over first.
Hope you enjoy yourself and maybe some pictures later!?
Hope you enjoy yourself and maybe some pictures later!?
dollymix
Well-Known Member
Just enjoy yourself! I've taken all my horses to the beach and have always had a fab time!
When you get there, walk the entire length of sand... That way you can check out conditions and let your horse acclimatise to the strange surroundings.
If you plan to go in the sea, I was always told to walk in at a paralell angle. If you point them straight at the sea and they spook they can only go up or backwards. If you're paralell they can shy away a little but you can ease them in gradually (leg yield!)
When you get there, walk the entire length of sand... That way you can check out conditions and let your horse acclimatise to the strange surroundings.
If you plan to go in the sea, I was always told to walk in at a paralell angle. If you point them straight at the sea and they spook they can only go up or backwards. If you're paralell they can shy away a little but you can ease them in gradually (leg yield!)
Brimmers
Well-Known Member
You will love it im sure
throughly check out any ground you want to have a canter over, look out for soft spots, hidden dips, rutted sections, stoney patches etc.
the best thing about beaches is that you wont have to worry about pulling up as much, generally there's a lot more space to have a good long gallop so by knowing the ground is good you will be able to enjoy the freedom more!
if you ARE nervous still (I'm sure in your excitment you'll have forgotten all about it
) either start off with a nice chilled trot so you are both more relaxed or have a trot and use the sea as a natural stopping agent.
As long as your horse is ok with the water (the last thing you want is your horse stopping dead at the waves and having you over his shoulder
) trot towards the sea then have a bit of a canter towards it. most horses will naturally slow up a lot more as they approach the water so you can enjoy a canter without worrying about stopping.
I would also reccommend having someone on the ground there JUST in case there is a problem. and you need somebody to take all the photos
have fun and let us know how it goes!
throughly check out any ground you want to have a canter over, look out for soft spots, hidden dips, rutted sections, stoney patches etc.
the best thing about beaches is that you wont have to worry about pulling up as much, generally there's a lot more space to have a good long gallop so by knowing the ground is good you will be able to enjoy the freedom more!
if you ARE nervous still (I'm sure in your excitment you'll have forgotten all about it
) either start off with a nice chilled trot so you are both more relaxed or have a trot and use the sea as a natural stopping agent.As long as your horse is ok with the water (the last thing you want is your horse stopping dead at the waves and having you over his shoulder
) trot towards the sea then have a bit of a canter towards it. most horses will naturally slow up a lot more as they approach the water so you can enjoy a canter without worrying about stopping.I would also reccommend having someone on the ground there JUST in case there is a problem. and you need somebody to take all the photos
have fun and let us know how it goes!
Archangel
Normal, 10 cats ago
Neckstrap?
Gin and tonic beforehand?
Good advice about not going straight in, one of mine set off merrily swimming in the direction to France and they are a devil to turn in the water
Gin and tonic beforehand?
Good advice about not going straight in, one of mine set off merrily swimming in the direction to France and they are a devil to turn in the water
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
Hip flask, neckstrap, Hat cam to record it all and go!