Riding at the beach...?

Okay, so in a few weeks I%26#039;m going horse camping at the beach (YAY!!!!) and I was wondering a few things.





We%26#039;re gonna ride 5 times, so do I need 5 saddle pads, because if they get wet in the ocean will they dry all salty?





I have Professional%26#039;s Choice splint boots for my horse will they be okay?





If I use waterproofer on my tack and boots, will they get all slippery, and is there on that you recommend?





Anything essential that you can recommend I bring?





--Thanks!! : )

Riding at the beach...?
i would suggest riding bareback instead of using a saddle. it will be much easier on you, and so much more fun! but if you really want to use tack then i would suggest bringing 3 saddle pads, because of the salt water, unless you have a place to wash them. the boots sound like they will be fine.





you should obviously bring your bathing suit! and a towels, and obviously all of the stuff for your horse. i would suggest maybe some ice-hot incase your legs get sore from riding.





sounds like you%26#039;ll have lots of fun!! wish i could go!





EDIT:::


just saw that you didn%26#039;t want to ride bareback. well then yes, bring extra saddle pads, and i would water proof your tack and boots, however i have no personal experience with water proofing. also, make sure you carry a hoof pick with you when you ride! you dont want to be on the trail then have to walk all the way back because your horse got a stone in it%26#039;s foot and you forgot the hoof pick!
Reply:i would assume that your saddle pad could get wet so probably bringing a few extras is a good idea though i don%26#039;t know if you will necessarily need 5. i would try riding bareback as salt water could ruin your saddle. are you going to be just walking with your horses hooves in the water or will he be up to his neck? that would decide if bringing all of those extra supplies is really necessary. try going without splint boots, they could rub against your horses legs.
Reply:How exciting... i love taking my horses to the beach...





Firstly no just take 2 saddle pads and hose them off after each ride and swap them over... so you ride in one while you have the other one hosed and left to dry... (maybe 3 to be safe) yes the splint boots will be fine just make sure the fit well and dont slip... i would also recommend bell boots as alot of horses will over reach when the move around on the sand especially if he is shod... i would really recommend getting aloan of someones synthetic saddle or buy a cheapie if you can... as the salt can really damage the leather... or and old leather you dont need to worry about would also be good... i would not water proof the saddle.. it will make it unbareable to ride in once wet... if you ride in short boots water proof them and wear suade chaps... if you ride in top boots just water proof the foot part below the ankle... then they wont get all slippery...


Remember to clean every thing very well when you get home as the salt will ruin any leather you leave uncleaned... what else... make sure to take sun screen for your self and the horse if he has a white nose... the sand reflects the sun light and can burn him badly... do if you get a change ride bareback in the water its so much fun...





i think thats it... just relax and have fun... if your horse hasnt been to the beach before he might freak out... so be careful and stay with the group!!


YAY beach is so much fun :)
Reply:the items you listed shows you know what you are doing....


1. only need one saddle pad...the saddle itself will protect the pad except the exposed parts...wash it when you get home...pads are made for endurance


2. splints will be OK....good thinking for sand environment


3. plain ole %26quot;neatsfoot oil%26quot; is good enough..saddle soap all leather when you get back and reapply neatsfoot.


4. other essentials you probably already have since you have been around horses
Reply:Are you taking your own horse? Because they might spook at moving water. I work a t aBeach Horseback rides company in VA beach, and we don%26#039;t go in the water too much because its cold right now, but we use the same pads even if they get wet, you might want to have an extra one or 2 though because if they get really wet, it could be hard to dry.





We don%26#039;t use any boots on our horses for the beach, all they have is a tom thumb, bridle, western abetta with ostrich trim and a diaper bag, and, of course the saddle pad. We use tom thumbs because we put people on there who have never even seen a horse. So our guys are pretty quiet.





Watch out for any cell phones, pdas, cash or wallets in the waves. any other questions feel free to ask.
Reply:I would bring the saddle pads--just to be sure...though, you probably just need three or so...Professional%26#039;s choice should be okay I think, but just make sure that the water doesn%26#039;t cause them to tighten the way that polo wraps do ( NOT good)...and be sure to brush the sand off between rides to keep it from rubbing.





Unfortunately, I don%26#039;t have experience with waterproofer, so I can%26#039;t give advice on that.





Other than that have fun!!! I got to go riding on a beach on this REALLY anxious arabian, letting him go though was amazing (I%26#039;d never been able to gallop a horse flat out before...it%26#039;s so smooth, like flying!!!)
Reply:riding a horse at the beach is fun but scarer.because u can fall of anytime.
Reply:Ride bareback. It%26#039;s more fun and you don%26#039;t have to go through all the hassle. Don%26#039;t use splint boots. They will get watery and heavy, and slip around and rub blisters on your horse. Waterproofer will make the water ball up and fall off, but you%26#039;ll have to dry your tack and boots, and reapply the waterproofer. Have fun I%26#039;m jealous.
Reply:ride bareback in water..especially salt water ;0)





riding bareback while you are in the water is different than riding bareback the whole trail ;0) you can always take it off and put it back on..or run the risk of water/salt damage..also its not just your saddle you have to worry about..its the stiching your splint boots will be fine..although they may need a good wash after..what to bring? a waterproof camera..enjoy your trip
Reply:Another idea would be to ride in a synthetic saddle. You might find someone to borrow it from if you don%26#039;t want to buy one. They don%26#039;t care if they get wet.
Reply:Oooo!!!! You are soooo lucky!! I would LOVE to ride my horse on the beach (especially in the water).





I would only bring like 2 or 3 saddle pads just in case. You might not want to ride with a saddle on the beach if you are planning on getting wet because the salty water might ruin the leather.





Your splint boots should be okay but you might want to wash them afterwards. You should probably clean the sand out of them every once and a while or just don%26#039;t ride with boots on your horse.





You might want to use waterproofer on your tack and boots so they don%26#039;t get ruined. You any good brand for that.





You should bring a helmet (safety first). You should also bring a waterproof camera.





I hope you have fun!!!!!



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