Stories from the sand... "Runaway horse"

[MikeyNYC]

We were sitting at Naphtali's place (by Myrna's and Rooms, I think) eating some roast snapper and veggies (which is amazing by the way. I'll be going back) and we heard screams coming from the south side of the beach and getting louder. Two seconds later, the screams are on top of us. We look up and see a runaway horse galloping towards us, full speed with a young
(maybe 14yo) girl on it screaming her lungs out. It banks around the corner towards our picnic tables, passing literally a foot away from us and into the parking lot then out into the street. A few seconds later comes one of the other jockeys, at full tilt trying to catch her. A couple minutes after that, they both come trotting back and the girl is calmed down. The locals and everyone else were cracking up, as it was hysterical to see but must have been incredibly frightening for her. Lucky she didn't fall or get hit by car.

[goldilocks]

Good Lord, I'm glad she's OK and that no one got run over.

For any other future riders; if a horse takes off like that, quickly pull on one rein hard and up to lift the horse's head to steer the horse in a circle (turn him toward the water would be best) you might get wet, but the horse will slow and eventually stop. Horses will always head for home when they are panicked, so if the rider bails they will find the horse waiting for them back at the barn. just in case anyone still wants to ride after hearing that story.....

[Patricia]

Whoa, Nelly!!

And, glad nobody got hurt....

[Todd]

I did a little cowboyin’ in my younger days. I would be careful with that one rein stop, it can be dangerous itself. Although I don’t think the best advice in the world can help a scared and inexperienced person on a runaway horse too much (they're just too freaked), I would recommend RIDING the horse, hang on as best you can (saddle horn, mane) and stay loose (don’t stiffen your muscles). When the beast gets home or far enough away from what scared it will stop. And of course the screamin’ part doesn’t help much either.

[TizzyATX]

perfect advice from goldilocks. I've always wondered when I would come across that exact scene on the beach.....

[Flipadelphia26]

In august I saw a runaway horse headed up the west end road. No saddle no rider.

[poolguywindsor]

I think the horses on the beach are worse than the jetskis!

[Fred Stripe]

At least the Jet Skis don't crap on the beach after they run you over ?

[Kimbobwee]

Get rid of them.....they're allowed to crap in the water....just not on the beach!!

[Lady Jane]

On April 5th we saw a runaway horse with its saddle under its belly galloping really fast without its handler. He was running like crazy after it and got it at Wavz park. He then got the saddle on correctly and raced back up the beach like he was in the Kentucky Derby. Meanwhile two small children from our resort were playing at the waters edge. The 4 year old was oblivious of the horse. This could have turned out REALLY bad. I was so angry and the poor parents were really frightened.
Later the same day at sunset another rider was racing his horse down the beach going so fast the horse almost lost its footing right in front of White Sands. Imagine a 1200 pound horse falling on you? Again I was seething. Minutes later the Police Jeep came driving down the beach. those horses have GOT TO GO!!!!