Frequently Asked Questions

The first half of the ride is on the beach. For most people (and their horses) it’s a warm-up. We ride for 1-mile walk on the beach. This usually takes 20-30 minutes.

For expert riders, who may want to canter/lope on the beach, it can take a little longer. Also, if there’s a photographer involved that can mean more or less time on the beach depending on the objectives of the photo shoot.

The second half of the ride takes place in the water. Sometimes we have to make adjustments before going into the water. Depending on the guests this may or may not take a few minutes.

Wading out into the bay takes a few minutes because, for a variety of reasons, we like to go out 200-300 yards offshore. Once we get to the right spot, your trainer teaches you how to HorseSurf™, HorseSki™, and take you for a short swim. This can take more or less time depending on how many people are riding, how many people want to try these activities, and the whims of anyone taking photos. Then we race back into shore and everyone dismounts to pose for photos with their new friends.

Be prepared to get wet from head to toe! This is an exhilarating experience!

The time spent on horseback varies depending on how many customers there are and how adventurous they are.

It usually takes at least an hour, but this is not a timed activity. It is a series of activities that last from 1 to 20 minutes each.

The first half is on the beach and the second half is in the water. We have one trainer for each horse and, when you’re in the water, your trainers will teach you some fun tricks. The water activities are very strenuous for the horses and our trainers.

Yes. There’s also fish poop and bird poop and dolphin poop…. Horses poop in the water and sometimes the stuff is floating right next to you. Some people find this disgusting. Horse people are not offended by horse poop because they understand that horses are vegans.

Generally speaking, the waters of Palma Sola Bay are among the cleanest in the county. Water quality is tested biweekly at Manatee County’s 7 most popular beaches and PSB consistently ranks #1 or #2.

Yes, and that is one of the unique and special aspects of the BeachHorses™ Experience. western-style saddles are available for $20, but cannot be taken into the salt water. That doesn’t mean you won’t get to go in the water. You only just need to dismount while we remove the saddle. Then, you can ride bareback in the water.

Yes! If you weigh less than 150 lbs and wish to try standing on your horse in the water (totally optional), your trainer will teach you how to hang ten like a local for no extra charge. HorseSurfing™ was invented by our founder, Tim Mattox, right here at Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton, Florida!

Yes. For more information, call Tim Mattox at (941) 650-1820.

No. It is illegal for us to accept cash at the beach (except for tips). Everyone must purchase a ticket in advance. We stop selling tickets online 12 hours before ride time. If “today” is the only time you can ride and online sales have stopped, please call us at (941) 907-7272 to see if we have any extra tickets. In the summer, we sell out nearly every day, sometimes 2-3 weeks in advance! We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).

Spectators are always welcome! The beach is open to the public and there is a public sidewalk parallel to the beach. There is a wide sidewalk parallel to the beach that is suitable for a mobility scooter.

Yes! Palma Sola Bay is a pooch-friendly park. You are welcome to bring your own pet, but please keep them away from the horses.

We have Paints, Quarter Horses, and two mixed-breed draft horses.

Yes. We sell Certified BeachHorse™ and other horses. Certified BeachHorse™ horses are highly trained kid-safe horses that will do everything a normal horse will do on dry land PLUS they will swim and behave well in the water! For more information, call Tim Mattox at (941) 650-1820.

During the rainy season (June-October), a 30-40% chance of rain is typical. Do not assume your ride is canceled merely because it is pouring rain at your hotel. It may be sunny and dry where we are. In Florida, it can be raining on one side of the street and sunny on the other.

We do not guarantee the weather. If we are forced to cancel or reschedule your ride due to foul weather or for any other reason beyond our control, we will issue you a raincheck that is valid for at least one year. However, under no circumstances will we issue a refund.

You must be present and ready to ride at the scheduled start of your ride to be eligible for a raincheck. If you are a “no show”, you will forfeit your ride. If you are late, you may miss part of your ride. If you don’t want to wait around to see if weather conditions improve, you will be charged a rebooking fee of $50 per rider when you rebook.

We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow time for traffic delays, parking, checking-in, fitting of helmets and life jackets, etc.

All tickets are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the day of your ride. Within 30 days of your ride, we will refund 60% of your ticket price up to 72 hours before the scheduled start time of your ride. Within 72 hours (3 days) of your ride, your money will not be refunded under any circumstances. Please don’t ask us for a refund within 72 hours of your ride.

We ride on the beach year round. But sometimes (December-March) it can get very chilly. If the water temperature drops below 70º F (21º C) and/or the wind is blowing so much as to make our beach experience uncomfortable in our sole opinion, we will offer you or or more of the following options:

• Horseback riding on the beach but not in the water (with a BIG DISCOUNT)
• A trail ride
• A rain check

We do not offer refunds for inclement weather.

While your ticket indicates a specific start time, we do not guarantee that your ride will happen on time. There are many reasons beyond our control why your ride may not happen on time (weather, working with live animals, traffic, etc.). We ask you to please be 15 minutes early. We start as soon as everything and everyone is ready. Usually we start on time or a few minutes early, but occasionally we have to do or fix something before we can start. Please be patient. No authentic Old Florida experience would ever start on time.

Please do not schedule an activity immediately following your BeachHorses experience. We may have a rain delay of up to an hour and we would hate for you to miss your flight home.

No, just bring a picture I.D. and your Order number. But please read your confirmation email to make sure we agree on the type(s) of ticket(s) purchased, the day/time of your ride, and the number of tickets purchased.

Yes. You can sign up a child to ride by himself or herself as long as they are at least 3 years old. The beach is very accessible. You can walk along with them on the beach and wade into the water with them. We recommend a water-proof camera for taking photos. Shooting from the beach with a long lens will not produce the best HorseSurfing photos.

Riding double can be unsafe. Everyone will ride a horse matched with their experience level.

No. We do not provide day-care or babysitting services. That goes for your dog(s), too.

Yes! PFD’s are mandatory for anyone who rides in the water. We provide life jackets for everyone.

Most of the time we ride in water that is more than 4 feet deep. If you want to participate in the horse swimming portion of the experience, expect to ride in water that is 6-8 feet deep for about 1 minute.

Yes. According to the American Medical Equestrian Association, head injuries are the most common cause of death for people who ride horses. In Florida, Nicole’s Law requires everyone under the age of 16 to wear an ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet. We provide riding helmets for anyone who wants them. If you have your own ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet and prefer to wear it, please feel free to bring it with you.

Almost anyone can do this because we can adjust the ride depending on your experience level. We make it fun for beginners and expert riders alike. We can accommodate children ages 3-85+ and disabled people. Our only restriction is that you must weigh under 300 lbs. Sorry, no exceptions. All but two (2) of our horses are only able to handle riders who weigh under 220 lbs (100 kg).

The minimum age to ride at Deer Prairie Creek is 8.

We ride at Palma Sola Bay Park. The address is 8400 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209. The GPS coordinates are 27.49621,-82.64529. We’re right on Manatee Avenue, 3.8 miles east of Anna Maria Island and 11.2 miles west of I-75. You’ll be looking for a truck and horse trailer, not a stable. We will email and text you directions after you purchase tickets.

Park on the north side of Manatee Avenue/SR-64 anywhere there’s an open spot. Parking is free. During the summer it can get crowded on the weekends, so come early.

The park has public restrooms approximately 1/2 mile west of our location. There is also a Starbucks about a mile east of our location. At Holmes Beach, at the west end of Manatee Avenue, there is a public beach facility with showers.

You’re going to get wet from head-to-toe, so we always suggest swimwear. You can ride barefoot but it’s not a bad idea to wear sandals or flip-flops for before and after you ride.

If you join us in Deer Prairie Creek, we suggest long pants and boots or some type of closed-toed shoe. Boots/shoes with a short heel are safer than sneakers.

We suggest the following:
• Towels
• Dry clothing to wear after your ride
• Sunscreen
• Binoculars
• A waterproof camera
• Extra cash for tipping

Professional-quality still images and videos are available from two local photographers. Contact Wicklund Photography at (941) 224-9539 .You are also welcome to take your own photographs and/or bring your own photographer; however, there’s an extra fee if your photographs are for commercial purposes.

We usually bring 8 horses to the beach. We can accommodate up to 16 riders in two groups of 8. If you have a group larger than 16, please call us at 941-907-7272. We may be able to work something out.

• Horse
• Western Saddle
• Trainer
• Life Jacket
• Helmet

The ticket price includes a specially trained horse AND a trainer. Each rider has their own personal guide/trainer who teaches them how to do some really cool and fun tricks on a horse. We also provide helmets and life jackets.

Saddles are used during the first 1/2 of the ride. After riding on the beach, we remove your saddle and you ride bareback into the water.

• Sales Tax
• 6% Booking Fee
• Photography Services

Note: Saddles are now included for the land (beach) portion of the ride. Everyone rides bareback in the water! Photography is not included. Professional photography is available, but most people bring their own cameras. Waterproof cameras are best. If you don’t have one, consider a water-resistant disposable camera from a drugstore.

Yes! But not if you are the first person to book for that ride. If other people (2 or more) have already purchased tickets for that day/time, then you can book solo tickets.

The 6% booking fee is unavoidable.

The 7% sales tax is avoidable if you have a Florida Consumer Exemption Certificate AND the credit card you use to pay for the ticket(s) is issued in the name of the same entity in which the Certificate was issued. These names must match perfectly. We cannot accept tax exempt certificates from other states.

Excellent question. All gratuities, no matter how small, are greatly appreciated. Most people tip around $20/rider. Tipping is not required.

Yes, if you’re an expert (professional rider or high-level competitor) and at least 18 years old. You understand that these are spirited horses, and you follow a few common-sense rules.

• Saddles are mandatory. $20 extra.
• Only trot/canter/lope going AWAY from the horse trailer (e.g., east-to-west, NOT west-to-east).
• No galloping. Keep your horse to a hand canter. If you don’t know what that means, you’re not an expert rider.
• Keep your horse on a right lead (away from the highway). Again, If you don’t know what that means, you’re not an “expert” rider.
• Do not kick your horse if it doesn’t pick-up a canter right away.
• You must wear a helmet regardless of your age. We provide helmets!

If you are a beginner, then Yes!
Beginner: Anyone with fewer than 50 hours of riding instruction riding bareback. If you opt for a saddle, then you can stere your own horse.

If you are a Novice to Expert level, then No!
Novice-Intermediate: Anyone with more that 50 hours of riding instruction
Expert: A professional rider or a high-level competitor who is at least 18.

If you are a professionally trained rider with a MINIMUM of 50 hours of RECENT riding instruction (or you are an adult expert rider) we’ll let you ride on the beach without a guide, otherwise you will have a guide. You will probably be riding a spirited Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse, bareback and bit-less. Unless you are truly an expert rider, it would be quite dangerous to do this without a guide.

No, but you can save money by booking at off-peak times.