Beauty and the Beach – A Little Adventure
Oh, to be on the beach riding a horse . . . a cool, salt breeze on your face, firm sand beneath your horse’s hooves, blue sky melting into a perfectly azure ocean, it truly is beauty from every angle . . . and then there’s the traffic, the people and the waves – all “bugaboos” that can turn the experience of a lovely ride at the beach into an unexpected adventure.
My friend Beverly recently invited me to ride along with her at the Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve. Her horses, “Freedom” and “Carrera”, both Rocky Mountain horses who are seasoned beach goers and experienced trail horses, are familiar with this particular ride. We started out on the dunes trail and traveled up and down the hills in the deeper sand until we exited with a perfect view of the beach and the ocean. It was lovely and easy, yet even the most seasoned trail horse can be rattled by some of the things that are commonplace on our beautiful beaches.
It was Spring Break somewhere in California, as there was more traffic and people on the beach than usual that day. Right off, we noticed a truck pulling a large, open, rattling trailer which takes people to the Oceano Dunes State Recreational Vehicle Area coming our way at a good clip.
We paused as he slowed his vehicle down and finished passing. Beverly and I looked at each other and remarked how close we had just come to losing control and how happy we were to have remained mounted. We stayed put for a while, caught our breath and let our racing hearts slow.
Three Bugaboos on a Beach Ride
Soon we were off – gaiting down the beach – perhaps slightly more alert than usual. This little escapade got me thinking about three “bugaboos” one might encounter on a beach ride, especially at the Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve, where we, as equestrians, share the “road” with so many other things.
Bugaboo #1 – Traffic
Bugaboo #2 – People
Lastly, when you bring a horse to the beach, you’ll immediately experience a sense of being a “local celebrity”, as people smile and wave, kids scream and point, dogs bark, and people raise their cameras to catch a snapshot of a “horse and the ocean”. Sometimes you may have to ask people to give you and your horse some space, especially children who like to chase after a horse as it goes by.
Bugaboo #3 – Waves
While riding along the surf line, some horses who are comfortable with the water may still experience a sense of vertigo as the waves move in and out beneath them. Remember, your horse is heavy, and the sand is wet, so as the water goes in and out, what seems like hard packed sand can become soft and cause a horse to stumble, sway or even trip over himself. Be ready for this.
The beach is a beautiful and fun place to ride, but one must consider the suitability for the horse; it’s not a place for every horse or a beginner rider. In order to fully enjoy a beach ride, consider the time of year and perhaps stay away during high traffic times such as major holidays. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually best. You can still enjoy a great ride during high traffic volume, but be prepared to deal with the traffic.
Every beach visit will have people and waves. Just be prepared, sit-up and ride confidently and keep good contact on those reins. If you’re prepared and you have a good horse plus a steady hand, the beach can provide you with a riding experience that you won’t find anywhere else. There are few places in this country where you can experience this; lucky us, we have easy access right here in SLO County.
In closing…as Beverly and I made our way back toward the trailer, the driver of the rattling contraption appeared again, but this time he made eye contact and drove quite slowly as he passed us by – thank goodness for small favors! We are blessed to have beach access in our own SLO County backyard.
Photos by Sharon Jantzen