This private ride is tailored to suit the more experienced rider! Ride through the waves on horseback! Discover the rich history and culture of Jamaica as you ride on your beautiful horse through the wooded areas where the Taino Indians used to hunt for food. Stop off at the beach where you'll be served some refreshments in the shade of a beach hut before heading into the crystal clear water for a refreshing swim!
Hope on your horse and learn about the culture of the Taino Indians, their beliefs, habits and existence, before Columbus landed and the island was colonized under the Spanish flag. Ride through a natural wetland, shaded by almond and coconut trees, and see the excavations carried out by archaeologists, keen to uncover the deep rooted history of this area.
On arrival at the beach, sample a taste of local produce in a jungle beach hut, before you strip down to your bathing suit for a dash through the waves on horseback. For your safety, the saddles are left on, so you don't have to worry about staying on! Your return ride takes you along the deserted beach, where herons and other waterbirds fish in the shallow waters. You'll travel through the mangroves, which hide the remains of an eighteenth century warehouse and by an ancient waterwheel which powered the old sugar mill on this former sugar plantation.
This private tour has been customized for the more experienced rider so that they can ride at a faster pace. All riders on these rides are required to wear a safety helmet. Their riding ability will be assessed by the head grooms and the ride will be conducted according to riders ability. No galloping allowed.
Saving grace was that the horses were in quite good condition. I'd booked a private ride as it was supposed to cater for experienced riders who were capable of controlling a horse and riding at a faster pace. The advertised ride through an old plantation and past ruins of some old buildings relating to the sugar cane industry amounted to a slow walk along a track through some woodland, which could have been anywhere, past a few broken down walls and then onto a beach. Here is where we managed one short, slow canter along the shore line, turned around and back to a place on the beach where we dismounted. In all about 20 minutes absolute tops. We were offered a drink and small piece of fruit, and sat around while the guide and helpers sat together chatting. After about 20 mins we stripped off to swimwear, remounted and rode out into the sea. The horses were still able to walk but water upto our knees so hard work for them. Went back and forth a couple of times, which was good fun as something none of us had done before. Then back to the beach, dismount and hang around for another 20 mins or so before remounting and taking a slow walk back to the start. The guide did ask if anyone wanted another short canter along the shoreline, but as still in swimwear and on a soaking saddle, didn't fancy the discomfort ! Back at the base we dismounted and that was that._br/_ Don't expect any long canters along a sandy beach, or a scenic trek with several chances to kick on. This is very much for people who've never really ridden. Best bit was going in the sea, but very expensive for what we got out of the whole excursion.
Review by: Wynne H, September 2015
This was the highlight of our Jamaican vacation for me. Our guide was very knowledgeable and professional. Everyone in the company couldn't have been nicer. The ride through the trees was nice but the ride through the water was awesome. We had a terrific time!
Review by: Andrew P, June 2015
Pay extra for the private tour although it wasn't totally private. A group of 10 rode about 200 yards ahead of us and a group of 10 rode about 200 yards behind us but it was great because we could actually hear the guide and enjoy the scenery with just the two of us.
Review by: Pascale S, March 2015
Very good company, and an excellent ride
Review by: Dawn J, July 2010
The length of the ride was good, the guide was fair. The horses seemed in decent shape and well treated. I really enjoyed the ride in the ocean. It was only my husband and me, so very private. My only complaint is the lack of toilet facilities on the beach itself. However the operators did take our towels down to the beach in the truck, so we didn't have to worry about carrying it on the horse.
Review by: Dawn J, May 2010
The length of the ride was good, the guide was fair. The horses seemed in decent shape and well treated. I really enjoyed the ride in the ocean. It was only my husband and me, so very private. My only complaint is the lack of toilet facilities on the beach itself. However the operators did take our towels down to the beach in the truck, so we didn't have to worry about carrying it on the horse.
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