I thought I’d share a lovely beach ride with you that I went on a couple of weeks ago. My partner, dog and I drove down to the DIY livery yard where my horse is, hitched up the trailer, loaded up Raffles and drove the two hours to Talacre beach near Prestatyn in North Wales.

We had a kind offer of parking at nearby Bridlewood Riding Centre but we found the public car park after taking a wrong turn so decided to stay there. There were a few other horseboxes and trailers already as Talacre Beach is popular with North West horse riders.

I tacked up Raffles in the trailer and when I brought him out he grew a couple of inches with excitement and pranced about. It was really windy and getting on him was a nightmare even with my partner holding onto him.

Finally I was in the saddle and we were off! There is a short ride across the dunes and then you are straight onto a wide expanse of sandy beach. There is a very picturesque lighthouse and then just miles of golden sands.

With it being so windy there were a lot of kite flyers so we chose, wisely, to head in the opposite direction. An excited horse and huge, colourful kites are not a good combination.

My partner was in charge of the camera as well as trying to keep our dog under control. Rolo is a chocolate Labrador and loves to run in front of the horse which can be a bit hair raising when you are trying to have a canter. I trained Rolo to like horses and now he likes them so much I think that maybe he thinks he is one too.

Raffles really enjoyed the beach and showed his gratitude by trying to go in every direction but the one I wanted him to go in. This is quite normal for him and even after 10 years he likes to remind me that he’s the boss. Of course I just let him think he is to keep him sweet. Don’t want to hurt his manly pride.

We spent a couple of happy hours tearing up and down the beach, splashing in puddles and cantering along the waters edge.

Talacre beach is a great place for riders and in my opinion a lot safer than Ainsdale beach at Southport which has many patches of sinking sand.

I hope you enjoy the photos and that they will inspire you to take your own horse on a trip to the beach. They really do love it!