So while some of us are lucky enough to decamp to warmer climes for the winter, many of us in Area 1 are stuck at home for the winter, circling around and around the indoor. For intrepid eventers, however, the off season is a great time to hit the beach with our horses. I really don’t know if there’s anything more fun that galloping down a windswept beach and I know my horse appreciates the break! So we’ve put together some tips for beach riding – especially for those who’ve never done it before – and some information about some of the more popular beaches in our area.
Tips:
- When planning a trip to the beach, check the high and low tides (easily google-able for a particular beach) and look to arrive within an hour of low tide. This gives you plenty of hard packed sand on which to ride. Hopefully this goes without being said, but never ride above a walk in the deep sand, as this is asking for soft-tissue injuries.
- Ideally, go with a friend. Some horses can find the big open spaces of a beach overwhelming and a friend can help them cope.
- Make sure your horse is generally sensitized to dogs; dogs are often allowed on the beach during the same season as horses and, while most beaches do have leash requirements, they frequently aren’t obeyed.
- If your horse is noise reactive, consider using ear plugs, as the wave noise can vary and some horses find it distracting.
- Waves can be disorienting to horses, just as they can be to people – don’t be surprised if your horses walks like a drunken sailor or shows some balance irregularities as they acclimate to the repetitive movement of the water.
- Pay attention to your horse’s body language – some find the deep sand or the water an irresistible place to roll and they aren’t afraid to give it a try even with a rider on!
- Dress warmly; days that discourage beach walkers are often great opportunities for riders. Don’t let a little rain get in your way.
- Be a good visitor: pick up your poop and hay, don’t go blasting past walkers or other groups of horses, let little girls have a pat. Good PR goes a long way in keeping beaches open to horses.
Area Beaches:
The most popular riding beaches in our area(according to the Area 1 Facebook page) are Hampton Beach in Hampton, NH, Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA and Popham Beach in Popham, ME.
Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton, NH:
Dates: Hampton Beach State Park is open to riding from October 1 to April 30.
Parking: Trailer parking is available at the south entrance to the state park for no cost. Please clean up all manure, shavings, and hay. Riders should enter the beach on the right(south) side of the parking lot, rather than going up the concrete walkway in the center.
Link to tide tables.
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA:
Dates: Crane Beach is open to riding from October 1 to March 31.
Parking: Crane Beach does require a membership to The Trustees of Reservations and a trailer parking permit. Membership costs start at $50 and trailer permits are an additional $100-120(depending on the size of the trailer) and can be purchased at the main gate. Follow this link for more detailed information and an application. Permits are for a season.
Link to tide tables.
Popham Beach, ME:
Dates: Popham is open to riding from October 1 to March 31.
Parking: Popham charges a day use fees of $6-8; there is no parking lot access on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the winter. More information about the park is here.
Link to tide tables.
Looking for more? Check out these articles about places to ride in Rhode Island, on Cape Cod, and in Connecticut.
