Who is it for?
Novice riders, speak of the sheer enjoyment of riding a horse without the fear of falling off. Falling off in the sea is just another way to have fun and build confidence. Experienced riders have been amazed at the behaviour and manners of our ‘Swimming Horses’ as they ride bareback to the beach. They enjoy the swimming then move on to circus style antics, with the sea as their safety net. Special needs riders and those suffering with long term illnesses, have benefited from the therapeutic impact of swimming alongside these amazing sentient animals. We can tailor the experience to be as gentle as required. Families can take advantage of our Family Friendly Swims. This provides 2 horses for 4 people and the whole family get to share their swimming horses, sometimes riding 2 up in the sea, sometimes having fun with tail towing.
The ‘Swimming with Horses’ experience is also a winner for special occasions. We have had proposals on horseback, many a young girls dream birthday present, surprise anniversary events and a 70th Birthday celebration swim.
Please note we have a weight restriction of 14 stone.
What Happens?
During the booking process, we find out what riding abilities you have and what sort of swim you are after. Once you arrive at The Peep Out, we get to chat more and really tailor the swim to your needs.
The whole experience takes 2 to 3hrs and begins at The Peep Out Yard in Ludgvan. Here you meet with the CSH team and the Swimming Horses and we chat to ensure we know exactly what kind of experience you are after. CSH gives bareback safety briefing.
You are then introduced to the horse we think most suits you and are given an initial assessment session in the sand school. This is a bareback assessment. Novices will be led. At the end of this session you can elect to meet your horse down at the beach, if you prefer to swim only. But the bareback ride is such an integral part of the whole experience that all of our clients so far have elected to ride down.
We then head out to the beach. Every rider, regardless of experience will be accompanied by their own CSH handler. On arrival at the beach, your handler takes your mount. CSH gives their horse swimming safety briefing.
You then remove your helmet and footwear and go into the sea separately from your horse. Your handler then brings your horse into the sea. Once the horse is deep enough you re-mount. We play in the shallows at first until all are acclimatised and settled. Then individuals are led out into deeper water one at a time to experience their first swim. No two swims are then the same. We develop the swim according to the riders abilities, weather and sea conditions, and what feels right on the day to provide the best possible experience. Each horse undertakes a deep water swim twice on each session.
What do I wear?
- Riding Helmet
You will need to wear a helmet at all times when riding on land.
Please bring your own if you have one or borrow one from our yard. - Footwear
Please arrive at the yard wearing suitable covered footwear for standing near horses on the ground, e.g. boots/trainers.
Optional: You may wish to also bring sandals/wet suit boots/flip flops for bareback ride to and from beach to avoid shoes getting wet at beach. - Wetsuits
We ride to and from the beach in a wetsuit.
If you have your own please arrive in your wetsuit, if not, no worries, let us know your size and we will lend one free of charge. You will be able to get changed in our state of the art changing room, the stable. - Warm Clothes
Always a good idea to have a set of warm clothes to change into when we get back into the yard - Towel or Robie
You will need a towel to be left at the Peep Out, for changing when we get back to the yard. If you forget no worries, we have spares here.
What about health and safety and insurance?
Cornwall Swimming Horses is fully covered by public liability insurance for this activity.Preparation for swimming with horses begins way back in the way we train our horses, firstly to be safe on a beach, then to swim without riders, then to swim with CSH handlers, until finally ready to be used with clients. All handlers are also trained up in the whole swimming process without clients before working on a swim and all stick to the safety policies that you can find in full in the information section of this website. We acknowledge however that this is an activity with inherent risks. We ask all participants to sign a waiver. A copy of the waiver can also be found in our information section.
What does it cost?
The cost is £170 per horse per person
Sharing a Horses;. 1 adult 1 child (under 16yrs) £200
The Family Swim is £400 and includes 2 horses to be shared by 2 adults and 2 children.(Does not have to be a conventional family, simply 2 adults and 2 children)
The swimming with horses activity is weather dependent. We will take a 50% deposit upon booking this deposit WILL BE FULLY REFUNDED if we have to cancel a swim session. This deposit is NOT REFUNDABLE if you (the client) cancels your swim session within 48hrs of your scheduled booking.
What do I do next?
Book of course. We are open for booking for season 2023 from Jan 9th 2023. Please note all swims are very weather dependant. Once you have booked your session always call or text us (07460865167) the day before to confirm your swim and check weather conditions.
Call us on 07720 617661 for more details or use the booking form at the top of the page to reserve your swim for the 2023 season and join the growing group of people that are enjoying Swimming with Horses.
Don’t miss out on this life enhancing experience. See you soon!
Please Note: Our swim season runs from May to September. We will be open to take bookings for 2023 season on Jan 9th 2023. Thank you
