Horses on Beaches - Guidelines
Our beaches though small are popular with a variety of users, particularly during peak bathing season months.
Events such as festivals, rowing regattas, triathlons and New Year’s Day swims are also a feature to encourage increased participation in outdoor recreation.
ALL beach users should be considerate of each other in order to be and to stay SAFE.
Certain beaches will be more suitable for horses and the restrictions that will apply to horses as set out below will take account of the fact that different times of the year and whether events are being hosted will greatly increase numbers of people on the beach and the potential for additional safety risks.
Horse riders and those in control of horses should check our beach signs, be considerate at all times and ensure that any horse droppings are removed from the beach before departing.
Please remember to check the weather forecast and sea conditions before visiting beaches.
Horses are allowed on certain beaches at certain times.
| January to May | Summer 1 June - 31 August (bathing water season) |
September to December | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnlough | Any time except if there is an event or large numbers of people on the beach. A common sense approach should be used. | Any time before 11am and after 6pm except if there is an event or a large number of people on the beach. | Any time except if there is an event or a large numbers of people on the beach. A common sense approach should be used. |
| Ballygally | Ballygally beach is unsuitable for horse riders due to the proximity of the busy main road and the gradient of the access ramp onto the beach. For safety reasons, we would request that horses are not taken onto the beach. | ||
| Brown's Bay | Any time except if there is an event or large numbers of people on the beach. A common sense approach should be used. |
Any time before 11am and after 6pm except if there is an event or a large number of people on the beach. |
Any time except if there is an event or a large numbers of people on the beach. A common sense approach should be used. |
Examples of events are festivals, triathlons and New Year's Day swims.
The reasons for the restricted access for horses is to avoid conflicts of use and to ensure public safety.
These beaches are small and conflicts of interest are therefore more likely to happen.
Horse-riders are asked to please use common sense at all times when deciding if it is safe to bring their horse(s) onto a beach and how they are ridden.
There is no legislation requiring removal of horse droppings but it is nevertheless requested that horse-riders remove them to avoid complaints.