Simply the sea – the dream of riding on the beach

Who hasn't dreamed of galloping along the water's edge on horseback? The wind in your hair, a hint of salt on your lips, and the feeling of flying. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but admit it: you'd love to go horseback riding on the beach..

INHALT
Nothing works without preparation Be safe with a rental horse
Nothing works without preparation

First of all, you need to decide where you want to go. In Germany and the Netherlands, both of which are horse-loving countries, there are beaches where you can fulfill your dream of riding by the sea. You may want to consult a travel agency to find out where the best beaches are for your plans, or you can search online. It is important to find out when beach riding is permitted. In some places, you can only use the beach with your horse in autumn and spring, and riding is prohibited in summer. In the Netherlands, there are also summer riding times at the water's edge, but these are in the early morning or evening hours.

Here is a short checklist to help you get started:

  • Make sure your horse has no problems traveling in a trailer.
  • Make sure in advance that your horse has no problem with riding in unfamiliar surroundings.
  • Ideally, your horse should be comfortable with water and riding through water.
  • Check your equipment for completeness and durability. Replace or repair any brittle or cracked leather parts.
  • Before departure, check that all necessary vaccinations are up to date. The equine passport must be carried with you.
  • Be sure to plan ahead—it is better not to look for horse stalls and hotels spontaneously on site, but to book them in advance.

petsXL Sunny in the water
Be safe with a rental horse

If you manage to make this adventure happen with your own horse, it will definitely be one of those special experiences that will bring you even closer to your horse.

But perhaps the effort involved in traveling to the sea with your own horse is simply too great. Or your horse is still too young and not yet confident enough for such an adventure. Perhaps it is not used to traveling and everything would be very stressful for the animal. In that case, it might be better not to take your own horse on the trip, but to travel alone and hire a horse locally that is already familiar with the situation. After all, there is no guarantee that a horse will react joyfully and fearlessly to the sea and its waves, especially if it has never been near water before. If it has never even seen a lake or river, unexpected situations may arise. We must never forget that horses are flight animals. So decide for yourself whether you want to share the experience with your horse or whether you would prefer a less complicated option.

There are several riding stables on the coast that specialize in offering this experience to their guests. The horses there are already trained to encounter water, surf, and various weather conditions. Even strong winds should not bother them. Nevertheless, take a close look. Does the riding school offer guided rides and will you be riding in a group? Or can you venture out on your own? Before going out on your own, you will probably need to take one or two riding lessons on site. This will allow you to demonstrate your skills with the horse and get to know "your" horse in advance. Or you may find that the chemistry isn't quite right and that you would be better off with a different horse. You can also take this opportunity to check the saddle for stability. After all, safety is paramount.

Once everything is well prepared, nothing should stand in the way of your beach experience and you can enjoy it to the fullest.