FAQs - Spirit of the West

How deep is the water when the horses swim?

The swim ride is in 6’-7’ of water and our horses are very good swimmers!

They love it! If they didn’t, you wouldn’t be able to get them into the water at all. Horses are very headstrong and don’t do what they don’t want to do. You’ll see how easily they can be steered into the water when it’s time to swim. They love taking a cool dip on a hot day as much as us!

Why isn’t there fresh water on the beach for the horses to drink?

Believe it or not, we have tried to get them to drink fresh water at the beach and they simply refuse. It’s odd to us too! So we have to assume they know what they want and need better than us and we have stopped wasting water wishing they would hydrate.

Why are their manes so knotty?

We live on an island. Our horses are rastas of course! The combination of salt water and wind naturally produces dreadlocks. We take excellent care of our horses, but aren’t so particular about brushing out the tails and manes, so the ‘locks’ remain. It already takes us 4+ hrs to feed all of them…if we brushed every tail and mane each day we wouldn’t have time to do rides. Oh, and the horses don’t care, they think they look cool and mysterious!

Can I feed the horses?

Of course! But we don’t make any promises that this form of bribery will earn you a place in their hearts or have them following you home for more. They are quite spoiled and know where their cinnamon-apples are buttered! If you still want to offer treats in exchange for a broken heart, they especially love carrots and apples!

What do I wear on the ride?

We recommend cool clothing as you’ll be out in the sun for the entire ride. Long pants are advisable but not mandatory if you only have shorts. If your ride includes the swim, wear your swimsuit under your riding attire. We suggest you bring a hat and sunblock, if you have them. Flip-flops and sandals are fine, but if you have closed-toe shoes (sneakers) that’s always best.

Has anyone ever fallen off a horse on your tour?

“Yes, but they were all bad” (Harry Tasker, True Lies (1994) – played by Arnold Schwarzenegger)

We’re just horsing around – some good people fell off too…. Here’s the thing, if you follow the instructions of your tour guide, you will be fine. If you do fall off, you are only dropping a few feet onto soft sand or in the water. We’ve never had anyone get seriously injured and they’ve all gotten right back into the saddle and carried on.

Are there food or drinks on the ride?

No, we do not provide refreshments, but you are more than welcome to bring your own with you.

What should I bring on the ride?

Since this is going to be the most epic thing you do all vacation, bring a camera, GoPro or other similar device to record every minute of this experience! If you are swimming, bring a towel. A backpack or fanny pack comes in handy to keep your valuables with you on the ride. Sunblock and a hat to protect you against the UV rays.

We suggest you leave most of your valuables behind (and NOT in your parked and unattended vehicles).

What is the maximum number of riders allowed on each tour?

This changes depending on how many horses are in service at the time, but ranges between 7-10 riders per tour. We want to keep our tours small and personal, so you don’t experience cattle-herding. This allows us to spend as much time with each rider as possible.

What is the weight limit?

We are slightly flexible here. Most horses can take up to 225lbs, but we have 1 or 2 that will carry up to 250lbs.

What is the age limit?

We allow riders as young as 8 years old on the Beach Rides and from 14 years old on the Swim Rides. We’ve taken riders as young as 98, so if you’re able to get on a horse, we have the hose for you! If you book a private tour we can be a bit more flexible.

Do you accept credit cards for payment?

Yes. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Amex. There are processing fees associated with credit card payments. As always, cash is king, but our guides do not carry cash, so exact change is required.

Do you accept travelers checks for payment?

No (do they still issue these?!)

What currencies do you accept for payment?

We accept USD or KYD (Cayman Islands dollars). Gold bars are also appreciated (following intense and professional evaluation).

Our horses accept apples and carrots as payment.