Bucket-list Caribbean: Horseback rides in the sea

Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours offers horseback rides and swim adventures on Jamaica and St. Lucia.

For their horseback ride and swim experiences in Jamaica and St. Lucia, Island Routes Caribbean Adventures recommends bringing a change of clothes, towel, water shoes and sunscreen, and leaving the jewelry behind.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures' horseback ride and swim experience in Jamaica is approximately five hours and includes complimentary lunch.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures’ ride and swim experience in Jamaica also offers ziplining and river kayaking.

The Island Routes Caribbean Adventures horseback ride to Cas En Bas Beach in northern St. Lucia lasts about two hours.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures' horseback ride and swim experience is not recommended for pregnant women, or the physically challenged.

Cruzan Cowgirls Horseback Riding Tours on the island of St. Croix started as Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Rescue. The riding tours were developed to help fund the rescue effort, which so far has come to the aid of over 50 neglected and abused horses.

Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Rescue on the island of St. Croix helps horse owners get access to better resources (such as horse feed, proper riding equipment and medical supplies).

Jennifer Olah, founder and owner of Cruzan Cowgirls, has some tips for riders. “Take along a small backpack with mosquito spray, sunscreen and a bottle of water, pack a camera, and take precautions to protect your electronic devices.”

“I do not require special clothing or footwear for my tours,” notes Jennifer Olah, founder and owner of Cruzan Cowgirls, “but some horseback riding businesses do. It's a good idea to check with them before you leave as some may require long pants or closed-toe shoes.”

“On St. Croix, our beaches are not heavily used, so there are many times that only our horses and riders are on the beach,” says Jennifer Olah, founder and owner of Cruzan Cowgirls. “Horses love the water, so it's a fun experience for the horses as well.”

“Some tourists might be nervous if this is their first ride, and may decide to have a drink or two to relax,” notes Jennifer Olah, founder and owner of Cruzan Cowgirls. “It's best to avoid this as it can make it more difficult to keep your balance.”

“Horses love the water, so it's a fun experience for the horses as well,” says Jennifer Olah, founder and owner of Cruzan Cowgirls.

Stephen O'Day’s life as a cowboy on a Texas ranch brings an extra level of authenticity to his horseback riding operation on St. Croix, Equus Rides.

If a rider is game, Stephen O’Day, owner of Equus Rides on St. Croix, teaches them how to stand on horseback in the sea.

Equus Rides' excursions follow trails along the North Shore of St. Croix.

In addition to a beach component, the rides offered by Equus Rides in St. Croix include a stop at a hilltop sugar mill with beautiful views of the sea.

Equus Rides has horses for all riding levels and can accommodate novices to the most advanced riders.

Tropical Trail Rides is located in Isabela, the westernmost town on Puerto Rico’s northern coast.

Tropical Trail Rides in Puerto Rico is especially well-known for its evening rides along the sandy beaches of Isabela.

Tropical Trail Rides in Puerto Rico offers morning and sunset rides, with each tour lasting about two hours.

Provo Ponies in Turks & Caicos Islands imports all of the feed and hay for its horses from the U.S. and Canada.

Provo Ponies in Turks & Caicos Islands started with six very badly abused horses that were brought to Provo from the Dominican Republic to start a riding stable.

Camille Slattery is the owner of Provo Ponies Riding Stable in Turks & Caicos Islands.

“Each of the girls that works for us are skilled in equine training, hoof care, equine nutrition and medicine and riding instruction,” says Camille Slattery, owner of Provo Ponies Riding Stable in Turks & Caicos Islands.

Provo Ponies will soon be adding a trail that combines horseback riding with history, by taking riders through plantation ruins from the late 1700s.

“Most of our horses are descendants of the horses brought by the Bermudian saltrakers in the 1700s and some were imported from the States to pull carriages in the last 10 years, in Turks & Caicos Islands,” says Camille Slattery, owner of Provo Ponies Riding Stable in Turks & Caicos Islands.