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Beach Riding: A Postcard Moment.
Life's
a Beach
By
Georgia Brown
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Will this be the year that you ride where
the sun hits the sand and your face is cooled by sea breezes?
Will you be there as a couple on a moonlit ride, or trotting
in the surf with best friends?
The Southeast has some of the most spectacular stretches of
sandy beach anywhere - just waiting for you to explore. If you
haven't figured out where to go yet, we've collected some suggestions
from people who are eager to share their know-how.
Bringing
your own horse (BYOH)
If your horse is not a seasoned trail horse or comfortable walking
through water, you might want to consider what he'll be thinking
when he sees that strange, white, foamy water, hears the sounds
of waves breaking on the beach and inhales funny fishy smells.
Think about it - given his nature, your horse wouldn't be on
the beach, he'd be grazing safely behind the dunes on green
grasses.
Whether
you BYOH or take a vacation and ride someone else's well trained
mount, follow this guide and you'll find the ride of your dreams. |
Florida's
Panhandle Region
Cape
San Blas, Gulf County
Sometimes
called Florida's Forgotten Coast, the pristine, protected coastline
of Gulf County offers about three hours of riding on some of
the most remote beaches anywhere. Salinas Park, the beach access
for horses, is on a thin peninsula of sand known as Cape San
Blas and is near Port Saint Joe. Finding it requires a trip
off the beaten path, through forests of skyscraping pines and
magnolias. At the reclusive end of the cape are 1,650 acres
of wilderness area. In summer, you'll see flags marking turtle
nests, which are monitored during the nesting season by turtle
watch patrols.
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BYOH
Salinas Park , Cape San Blas
The park has a trailer parking area, water, grills, and
covered picnic tables. To bring your own horse, get a
Beach Riding Permit at the Gulf County Courthouse, Room
100, downtown Port St. Joe., in advance of your trip.
Bring proof of Coggins and vaccination records. Horses
must wear tail bags, i.e. diapers. County residents pay
$15 annually per horse and all others pay $150. The beach
is patrolled, so keep your permit with you when you ride.
Call (850)229-6652 for more information as regulations
change and visit the Gulf county website at www.visitgulf.com. |
Riders
take a leisurely stroll along Gulf County's Forgotten
Coast. |
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Broke-a-Toe
Stable, Cape San Blas
Meet Kymber of Broke-a-Toe Stable at Salinas Park, and you can
cross the dunes and be out on the beach in just minutes. She
enjoys pointing out sea loving eagles, dolphin and shore birds,
plus the treasure trove of seashells underfoot. In business
for 10 years, her horses are well trained and safe for beginners.
Kymber is known for rescuing neglected horses and fattening
them up on Seminole Feed, which she buys from Bo's Livestock
Feed & Supply in Panama City. She's trained several of them
for new lives with new owners. Rates are $40 per hour, $55 for
1 ½ hours, and $70 for 2-hour rides. She recommends late
afternoon or before sunset and her favorite months are late
October and November when the weather is cool. For more information
contact Kymber Lewandowski at (850) 899-RIDE (7433).
Fantasea Beachrides, Cape San Blas
Sighting dolphins and bald eagles are just some of the pleasures
of riding the Cape San Blas beaches according to Laurie Shearer.
Laurie has been escorting people for 10 years on day and moonlight
rides. Summer is peak season, but spring and fall are ideal.
Rates are $35 for one hour, $50 for 1 ½ hours or $60
for 2 hours. If you would like to board your horse in the area,
call Laurie Shearer for recommendations at (850)527-6596 or
(850)527-9563.
Hoofprints
in the Sand, Wewahitchka
This is a family-owned operation that offers a horse experience
for every age. You can ride up to three hours on American Quarter
Horses with their friendly guides. Sunset rides are popular.
Rates are $35 for 1 hour; $50 per person for 1 ½ hours.
For more information, contact Terry & Sandy Dewberry, 180
Gladstone Lane, Wewahitchka, Florida, 32465, Phone (850)227-5454
or (850)639-5699, Website www.hoofprintsinthesand.com.
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Florida's
Treasure Coast
South
Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce
There is a long history of people bringing their horses
to beaches in St. Lucie County. Today the only county
beach that allows horseback riding is Frederick Douglass
Memorial Beach, named in honor of Frederick Douglass,
a leading spokesperson for racial equality in the 1800s.
BYOH
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Ft. Pierce
The facilities on South Hutchinson Island include trailer
parking, hitching post, water, restrooms, showers and
a picnic pavilion. Only 15 horses are allowed on the beach
each day so you will need a reservation. Permits can be
purchased in advance at the St. Lucie County Recreation
Department at 1302 Virginia Avenue (State Road 70) in
Ft. Pierce. Keep your permit with you and read the permit
packet, which includes turtle watch information. The annual
fee is $50 if you are a county resident or $100 for nonresidents,
for a maximum of 8 horses. Call St. Lucie County Parks
& Recreation Department for reservations and more
information at (772)462-1521. |
Pam
Knisley and her Paso Fino mare Sangria de el Dione enjoy
the ocean at Fredrick Douglas Memorial Park.
Photo by Darlene Wohlart. |
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Tours
on Horseback, Ft. Pierce
Colleen and Alan Hays have offered tours of the powder-sand
beaches of the Atlantic on their trusty, well-trained horses
for nine years. The one-hour ride covers a mile and a half of
beach with a return trail through Australian pines. Alan gives
a knowledgeable ecological narrative on this pristine beach
habitat. If it is low tide, the walk-trot ride along the dunes
includes a walk in the water. The romance of the beach is not
lost on the Hayes - they are experts in planning surprise marriage
proposals and have helped organize weddings on this secluded
stretch of beach. Reservations are necessary. Cost is $30 per
person and minimum age is 10. If you'd like to bring your horses,
contact the Hayes for recommendations on overnight stabling.
Colleen and Alan Hayes
87 Pinewood Lane Ft. Pierce, FL 34947, (772) 468-0101 or email
chayes1789@aol.com.
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Canaveral
National Seashore, Volusia County
The horseback riding season on the national seashore near Cape
Canaveral is from November 1 to April 30. This glorious stretch
of beach is closed to horses in the summer nesting season to
protect the Atlantic Ocean's endangered and threatened sea turtles.
Unfortunately, the beach was temporarily closed last winter
due to hurricane damage. As a result of improved relations between
horsemen and park officials, improvements have been made in
the staging area.
BYOH Canaveral National Seashore, New Smyrna
Riding on the beach requires a Horse-use Permit. Be sure your
horse's Coggins is current, and make reservations in advance
because there is a daily limit. Entrance fee is $5. It is always
advisable to call prior to your date of arrival as conditions
change. For more information, contact North District Information
Center at Apollo Beach, New Smyrna, Florida, (386) 428-3384
Extension 10 or visit www.nps.gov/cana.
Ace
of Hearts Ranch, Cocoa
The Ace of Hearts Ranch has been providing beach trail rides
at Canaveral for eight years. Sandra Vann has worked with park
officials over the years to create a horse-friendly environment.
She keeps 25 well cared for horses and is known for her nature-wise
beach rides. When the beach opens in November, call for pricing.
If you need information about bringing your own horse, Sandra
is glad to help. For more information contact Sandra Vann, 7400
Bridal Path Lane, Cocoa, FL 32927, phone (321) 638-0104, or
visit www.aceofheartsranch.com.
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St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, St. Johns County
People have been riding horses on the hard-packed sand of St.
Johns County beaches near St. Augustine for as long as anyone
can remember. The tradition predates the Daytona racing era,
and cars are still allowed on Crescent Beach. The county has
42 miles of seashore, lined with ever-bigger homes as well as
state and national parks. There are stretches where you will
see no one for miles. The local horse council urges riders to
be good stewards of the beaches and to respect others, especially
when near swimmers or crossing beach access points.
BYOH St. Johns County Beaches, St. Augustine & Ponte
Vedra
There are two county parks with parking for trailers and broad
paths to the beach. Surfside Park allows riding year round.
The riding season at Mickler Beach is Labor Day to spring break.
Call for the exact cut-off date in the spring. For more information
contact St. Johns County Beach Management Office (904) 471-2770.
Amelia Island, Nassau
County
This historic 13.5-mile island on the northern border of Florida
has a unique horse ranch located within Amelia Island State
Park. Amelia Island, famous for its luxury resorts, golf courses
and intriguing B & Bs, offers a peaceful escape for you
and your horse at Peter's Point, a Nassau County bathing beach
and park.
BYOH Peters Point, Amelia Island
Beach rides begin at Peter's Point where there is a designated
horse trailer area with picnic shelters, showers and restrooms.
Horses must walk through the 8-acre park to the beach. No riding
is allowed near swimming areas or on the dunes. You can ride
in either direction for an hour or more, but when you see bathers
or fishermen, a good rule of thumb is to walk your horse toward
the dunes, giving them a 30-to-40 foot berth. Turtle nests are
flagged by Turtle Watch Patrols. A permit and trailer decal
can be purchased at the Nassau County Public Services Building,
96161 Nassau Place in Yulee, Florida. Bring your horse trailer
registration, Coggins and health papers. Cost for an annual
decal is $20 for nonresidents. Call (904) 321-5765 for more
information.
Ride the Beaches, Amelia Island
Debbie Manser has taken people riding on the island on her Quarter
Horses for many years. Recommended by B & Bs in the area,
she limits her personalized trail rides to one to three riders.
Depending on your skill, you can trot and canter. In summer,
she goes out before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. , and her favorite
time of year is spring and fall at low tide because there is
no one on the beach. Rates are $70 per hour and reservations
are required. If you would like to board your horse at a stable
in the area, contact Debbie Manser for recommendations at (904)
277-7047 or visit www.ameliahorsebackriding.com.
Circle B Ranch, Amelia Island
Circle B Ranch, a family owned operation run by Bill Crews,
his daughter and his brother, specialize in taking small groups
on early morning and late afternoon rides where you can ride
side by side at the water's edge observing nature's show. Often
that includes a school of dolphin keeping pace with your mounts
or spotting turtles on the beach in nesting season. There is
no charge for pausing to watch nature's show. It's your vacation
and the Crews family understands some moments on horseback will
become precious memories. Bill drives to Southern Star Feed
in Georgia to get his Seminole Feed for his horses. "If
you need to fatten up your horse, feed him Seminole," said
Bill. Rates are $50 per hour per horse. Unique moonlight rides
are $75 per hour and feature dinner on the deck of a popular
surfside restaurant. There is no charge for waiting time while
you dine. Reservations should be made one to two weeks in advance
at (904)556-9530.
The
Kelly Seahorse Ranch, Amelia Island
The Kelly Seahorse Ranch is a working ranch located within Amelia
Island State Park offering the romance of beach horseback riding
all year. Trained guides point out dolphins, shorebirds and
other island wildlife on the walk-only beach trail. Open seven
days a week, guided rides leave daily at 10 a.m. noon, 2 and
4 p.m. Cost is $45 per person, ages 13 and older. There is a
230-pound weight restriction and a 4'6" minimum height.
Reservations should be made several days in advance at (904)
491-5166.
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Georgia
Beaches
Sea Island & Jeckyll Island
At
one time, horsemen could ride on the beaches of Georgia's barrier
islands, but gradually this window narrowed and today there
are few options left. You can observe a herd of 250 wild horses
on Cumberland Island, which is accessible by ferry only, and
there are some historic resorts where guests ride on private
property.
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Sea
Island Resort , Sea Island
The Sea Island Resort Equestrian Center offers beach horseback
rides for skilled as well as novice riders; however, you must
be a guest of the resort or a member of the club. Guided rides
along the marsh, ocean beach and inner dunes are rich in natural
history. It is a walk-trot ride, but the guides will tailor
the mile and a half beach trail to more experienced riders'
skills. Rates are $75 for 1 ½ hours. They also offer
clinics, private instruction and boarding. Call (800) 732-4752
or (912) 638-3611 for reservations for Cloisters and the Lodge
and (912) 638-5170 for the Equestrian Center or visit www.seaisland.com.
Victoria's
Carriages and Trail Rides, Jekyll Island
Victoria's Carriages and Trail Rides maintain a farm on the
mainland with 60 horses of different breeds and trailer them
to Jekyll Island. Year-round walk-trot trails go through the
maritime forest and along Driftwood Beach. Guides can point
out wildlife, including osprey and sometimes bald eagles, as
well as deer and raccoons. In the spring, dolphin are active,
jumping and cavorting in the water, and in winter, the rare
pilot whales have been sighted. Riders meet at a historic carriage
house built in 1898 and depart from the Calm Creek picnic area
on the north end of Jekyll Island. The hourly rate is $50; 1
½ hour beach rides are $65 and sunset rides are $55.
Call for reservations one or two days in advance and remember
tides determine the best time of day to ride. Contact (912)
635-9500 or visit www.victoriascarriages.com.
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South
Carolina
BYOH Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach State Park, located in the heart of The Grand Strand
4 miles south of downtown, is an historic park with Civil Conservation
Corps structures built in the 1930s. Horseback riding is allowed
from the third Saturday in November to the last day of February.
On the beach, you'll ride past one of the last remaining stands
of maritime forest in South Carolina. An annual permit is $25
per horse, plus admission to the park. Groups are limited to
six and reservations are necessary. Call for permit information
at (843) 238-5325 and visit www.southcarolinaparks.com. |
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Inlet
Point Plantation, North Myrtle Beach
The Plantation's mission is to make sure that you explore
on horseback a breathtaking historic location you won't
easily forget. The ride takes you through a 4,000-acre
plantation that the owners wish to keep in a wilderness
state. Beginning at the stable next to a pecan grove,
the plantation trail takes you through a birdwatchers'
paradise where you will see deer and even an occasional
bear. Cross a bridge to Waites Island, and you ride the
wide beaches of a private 1,200-acre island, home to many
shore and song birds. The Smiths have 30 horses of several
breeds, including Tennessee Walkers, Belgians and Appaloosas.
Cantering is allowed if riders are experienced. Advance
reservations are required. Rates are $95 for the 2 ½
hour beach ride and $45 for a 1-hour ride along the Intracoastal
Waterway. For more information visit www.inletpointplantation.com
or contact Mark Smith at (843) 249-2989 or email inletstabeles@aol.com.
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BYOH
Ride and Camp on the Beach, Myrtle Beach
Joining a Myrtle Beach fundraiser gives you a weekend
on the beach with your horse at the 24th Annual Jack Monroe
Ride-a-Thon, which benefits the American Heart Association.
It will be held November 9-13, 2005. For more on this
20-mile ride call Tammy Eaves at the American Heart Association:
(843) 626-3939. |
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Leave
only your hoofprints.
Beachgoers outnumber horsemen by the thousands, and a few complaints
could be the death knell for horseback riders. If riders are
considerate, the hope is that there will be no necessity for
closing beaches or stricter regulations.
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Beach
Riding Check List
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Bring your permit and obey regulations. Don't spoil beach riding
for US by violating rules. In some areas, officials are waiting
for an excuse to ban horses.
Ride responsibly, especially when sunbathers, fishermen or other
groups of horses are present. Walk well around them.
Never ride on the dunes.
Obey clean-up rules in the trailer parking area and on the beach.
Don't use a people shower area for your horse!
Respect and protect turtle nesting areas. In the Gulf of Mexico
and Atlantic Ocean, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green, Kemp's ridley
and Hawksbill turtles are endangered or threatened.
P.S.
There are heavy fines for violating park rules. On one beach,
the fine for running is $500.
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Georgia
Brown is a freelance travel writer who frequently writes about
horses. She raised horses for several years and learned many
life lessons while competing in dressage and distance trail
riding with a gentlemanly Arabian stallion that lived to the
ripe old age of 33. She currently lives in Sarasota, Florida.
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