I always loved riding on the beach.We would go 2-3 times a year usually in the off season to the State Park portion. It was better during low tide so that small tide pools would form on the beach and the “spooky” horses could splash in the water with out the wave action.
I spent a lovely summer on the beach, weekend after weekend with my older horse. She wasn’t a fan of water but I could persuede her to wade out to my stirrups and splash around with the other horses.
I took my younger mare, 3 months post bowed tendon and track fit to the beach for her second ever trail ride. The first was in a regional park full of hills and water crossings, so I thought we were ready for the flats of a beach. Well, I didn’t prepare us well enough and had a bit of an adventure:
http://besbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/11/bruised-body-bruised-pride.html
The third time out was much the improvement:
http://besbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/05/back-to-beach.html
We had a great, fun time and she was a joy to have on the beach, though she still did not trust the waves. I’ll take what I can get, as she’s good with streams and puddles.
Does anyone know of any beaches in Maryland that allow horses ? or Delaware ?
It appears they are playing polo on the beach in Miami:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/21/2178092/polo-is-back-in-miami-beach.html
This morning’s International Herald Tribune had a nice picture of polo players on the beach. The link above has a different photo, though. I have not played polo myself- yet- but this seems like a lot of fun!
Waves can REALLY FREAK THEM OUT
[QUOTE=birdsong;5533537]
My QH absolutely hated the beach! The moving water freaked him out, the sounds and the SMELL. He just knew he wasn’t a Chincoteague pony and shouldn’t be there!!:eek:[/QUOTE]
DITTO THIS for both my mare and my sisters’ mare. But you have to TRAIN THEM FOR IT, whilst there, to overcome it.
You have to face them directly at the wave coming in and keep them facing forward - into the ocean, and let the wave come up to them, around their feet. If you let them turn, they will SPIN/BOLT/ FREAK OUT.
I don’t want to scare you, but it is a common reaction the first time they see waves…you HAVE to be prepared for it. Just keep their nose facing the ocean and try marching right in or at least keeping them pointing that way.
Also, there is major vertigo/dizziness that can happen that impacts your balance, when the waves are coming in and out. DON’T LOOK DOWN 
Here’s a clip of us going down the beach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfc09Dnc1Uo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PToz_sBmahE
It’s super fun, just trying to warn you about what CAN happen…
