[ClassynIvansMom]

Hey, everyone has seen businesses that let you ride their horses on the beach, but where can you go in the southeast (my range would be Atlantic coast as far north as maybe NC and as far south as the top of Florida perhaps, and then the northern side of the gulf coast) where you can ride your OWN horses? Do you have to have crazy expensive permits to bring your own horses to ride on the beach? My OTTB thinks he's a seahorse and likes to go in the water, so I'm trying to figure out locations for a horse friendly beach trip.

[PRS]

Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island Florida. A friend and I went there in October 2010 and had a great time. We stabled our horses at T&F Stables 904-261-6004 for only $20.00 per night (self care). He allows camping in his stable yard but i recommend either renting a house, motel room, or camping at the nearby state park unless you are fully self contained. The stable is about 3 blocks from the beach on a road with a decent shoulder. Most of the car drivers we encountered were very respectful of the horses. Beach riding is really only good early in the AM or later in the afternoon due to the tourists. I recommend going in the cooler months to keep contact with beach walkers to a minimum.

There were no permits to get, just a few rules...no riding on the dunes, no horses allowed beyond a certain point. To the left of our access point horses were allowed for only about a mile or so but we could ride to the right for a long ways. For our own safety and the safety of the tourists we made the decision to only ride in early AM or late PM. By noon the beach was getting pretty congested so we exited until later. Neither one of our horses was going anywhere near the water though (sea monsters y'know ;-).

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[ClassynIvansMom]

Hey thank you for the info! That's very helpful Now I'm already trying to talk my fiance into committing to a trip before his semester starts up again UA classes don't start back till Aug. 24th, but since he's also a teaching assistant, he and the rest of the GTAs have to go back early for orientation stuff. I think Fernandina Beach sounds like the perfect getaway! And thanks for all the photos, they were great! The place looks like it's exactly what I had in mind

[PRS]

I would call the stable to ask if there any rules about what time of year horses are allowed on the beach. I know we went in October....kinda off season for tourists.

[oldpony66]

yeah just make sure you have your health papers (CVI) in addition to your Coggins coming from out of state!

[ClassynIvansMom]

Yeah, I'll probably put together a travel checklist! Haha, I already bought one of those trailer aid thingies just in case we blow a flat!

[PRS]

In Florida you HAVE to stop at the Ag Inspection Station and show your Coggins and Health Cert.
If you try to drive past the Ag Inspection Station without stopping they will send a car after you to pull you over. You don't want to be THAT guy.

[N2Equus]

http://driftwoodranchobx.com/

[Rowdy Corgi]

Hey Classy

There is a great place you can go with your horse and ride on the beach. Its in Myrtle Beach, SC. The American Heart Association has a fund raiser beach ride every year. Its the 1st week of November 2011, You can stay at a 5 star campground with camping or rental units if you need one.

We go every year and love it! Plus the money goes to a good cause.

here is the website http://www.ahabeachride.org/

[ClassynIvansMom]

Myrtle Beach sounds fun, too! I don't know that I'll be able to go this November, though, because that's right after my wedding (we're getting married at the end of October). I don't know if we'll be able to take off again so soon after the honeymoon!

That Driftwood Ranch link looks nice Another great place to keep in mind!

Thanks for the tip about stopping at the Ag station, PRS! I probably would have been THAT GUY (girl) who would have blown on by and had to be called back just because I wasn't thinking about it.

[PRS]

Thanks for the tip about stopping at the Ag station, PRS! I probably would have been THAT GUY (girl) who would have blown on by and had to be called back just because I wasn't thinking about it.

You're welcome. We saw them pulling someone over last time we were there. It kinda stuck with me.

[Ebm91]

I'm so excited about this thread! I have been wanting to make a beach riding trip for quite sometime and now yall have told me some places that I could go! Woohoo!!

PRS,
Your pics are fantastic! It makes me a little green

[AlfalfaGirl]

Southeast Texas!!! You can ride to your hearts content from High Island and down around Gilcrest, Crystal Beach, etc. This is due south of Winnie, Texas. Winnie is on IH 10 and about 60 miles from the Louisiana state line. The beach is 17 miles from Winnie.

I have rode on the beach 3 times, once with my former horse Red and twice with The Biscuit.

Hubby and I rode down to the beach yesterday to check it out. Here is a pic of it yesterday where we rode last October:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Last October: This area is a wild life preserve now. A hurricane wiped out the road in 1980...I think it was Hurricane Allen. It was kinda neat seeing the road bed that was over a foot or more thick in some places.

http://dashingbigred.blogspot.com/20...ast-texas.html

Here is pictures from last December:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rAzUxvalJL...denise+sue.jpg

This was across from Galveston. I had delivered a wedding cake in Galveston and my cousin brought my horse to the beach!!! LOL I came back across the ferry and met up with everyone and went for a ride for miles.

We are planning a moonlight ride there this fall. The wind was blowing pretty hard yesterday out there but it is a fun ride!!! I am looking forward to going again.

[wildlifer]

You can ride on the beach at Croatan Nat'l Forest in NC -- in the Pinecliffs area, there is a big horse trail at the mouth of the Neuse River where it hits the sound. Lovely trail, beautiful riding, we've had great fun there.

[UniqueCotton]

The golden sands of Florida beaches are a major attraction for visitors to Florida and the inflow of tourists keep steadily increasing year after year. Tourists are eager to spend time in the golden sands of the beaches of Florida just to appreciate the splendorous sunsets, to swim in the less tumultuous waters, play around in the sands and spend some quality time with their loved ones. What is charming about Northwest Florida a€” particularly the Emerald Coast a€” is that beaches feature soft, fine powder sands and the sea waters are so clear and clean.A In Northeast Florida, the beaches are lined with some quaint towns and it is an enchanting sight. Central Florida has some of the state’s most appealing beaches with gentle waves and warm waters that draw huge crowds of tourists all the year round. When you decide to travel to Florida for your vacation, you have decide the beaches you intend visiting as there is an array of golden seashores and one is as enchanting as the other Florida beaches a€“ the ones that are calm and secluded as also the ones that are bustling with activity – are ranked the best beaches in the country for their sheer charm, easy accessibility, enormous tourist facilities and natural scenic beauty. Each Florida beach is unique and exuberant in its own way. Some beaches are noted for the abundance of shells, others for finding pre-historic sea life remains. Some beach locations are luminous, full of life and glamour and boisterous while others are tranquil and quiet and soothing to the nerves. Panama Metropolis Seaside is an enchanting spot to visit, especially during spring break. Destin, located on the Emerald Coast with some fabulous golf course, is more of a holiday vacation place for relaxation and leisure activities. Although all the areas in and around Florida Keys are stunning, Key West is truly outstanding and should not be missed by any visitor to Florida. There are plenty of exciting things a tourist to Key West can do.

[cloudyandcallie]

Several years ago, Seminole feeds published a list of beaches in FL and GA and SC where you can ride on the beach. I would think you could find that info somewhere on the Seminole "world's best freeds" website. Their magazine was published on line on their website as well.

Lots more in FL than in GA and SC. But Hunting Beach SC is one of them.

Also check flahorse.com and see if there is an old thread with the listing of FL beaches.

[ClassynIvansMom]

Awesome, these extra posts are great! AlfalfaGirl, awesome photos!

[AlfalfaGirl]

thanks!!! It is fun to ride on the beach! One of our friends rode out on the beach this summer and had her horse in up almost to his back - a few days later someone was bit by a good sized shark. Esther said she was going to keep her getting in the water fun to our rides at Ebenezer park on Lake Sam Rayburn! She is on one of the picture of four of us. She is the one on the far left on a black Friesan/Morgan cross.

[Calamber]

thanks!!! It is fun to ride on the beach! One of our friends rode out on the beach this summer and had her horse in up almost to his back - a few days later someone was bit by a good sized shark. Esther said she was going to keep her getting in the water fun to our rides at Ebenezer park on Lake Sam Rayburn! She is on one of the picture of four of us. She is the one on the far left on a black Friesan/Morgan cross.

Come to Washington and Oregon, no sharkes there and the beach is gigantic and goes for miles, hard packed. People hack and train out there all of the time. A bit of a hike (flight) I know, but it is on my to do list now that I am out here and finally have a horse that will do all of that and more!

[cobained]

Come to Washington and Oregon, no sharkes there and the beach is gigantic and goes for miles, hard packed. People hack and train out there all of the time. A bit of a hike (flight) I know, but it is on my to do list now that I am out here and finally have a horse that will do all of that and more!

Going to second this...I lived on the Long Beach peninsula for 3 years and had a horse stabled probably a mile from the beach. Could ride out anytime (if your horse is good for it!). I think it's like 17 miles of hard pack, wide beaches with very little of the tourist activity other than certain festival weekends. Not a sunny swimming sort of beach, but pretty nice for riding on! And you can drive to/on it as well.