Nine-year-old Caroline Crocker-Kozar (right) of Amarillo described her Horses on the Beach sunset ride with her father, Steven Cocker, as ‘amazing!’ The ride was part of a birthday celebration at the Padre Island beachside ranch.
For most people, a horseback ride along the beach is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but for Brennan Wells and his team at North Padre Island’s Horses On the Beach Ranch, it’s an enviable way of life — and work. The primary attraction at Horses on the Beach is — as the name indicates — horseback rides along the beach.
As a walk-only ride, guests take in the gulf views and focus on the enjoyment of the experience with the horse. Most rides take about an hour, but the sunset ride takes riders farther and lasts for about 90 minutes.
Nine-year-old Caroline Crocker-Kozar of Amarillo went on a recent sunset ride with her father, Steven Cocker, to celebrate her birthday.
“It was amazing,” she said, beaming. “I have ridden horses before, but never on the beach!”
Based on the ear-to-ear smiles from the other guests on the same ride, it seems they all found the experience to be just as amazing.
“When people come here, they are excited and are all smiles,” Wells said. “We really try to make the rides memorable for our guests.”
Guests, starting from age 6, are paired with an appropriate horse by staffers. Horses are assigned based on a person’s riding ability. Riders are introduced to their horses and, after a bit of instruction by the guide, lead their steeds to the beach.
“We have a large percentage of first-time riders,” Wells told Corpus Christi Business News, “but we specialize in working with the novices, especially children. We want to introduce horseback riding to kids and hope to inspire future riders.”
Children are required to wear a safety helmet. Smaller children get to ride on their own horses but are attached to a lead line for a more controlled experience.
After the rides, guests may purchase photos of themselves from their actual ride with the ocean as the perfect backdrop.
Wells had a special tip for the boys of Spring Break, coming up in March.
“We don’t really get much of the Spring Break crowd here,” Wells said. “We offer a family atmosphere, and that is primarily what we attract. BUT, if the guys are smart, they will come down and ride because the college girls do come to ride, and they tend to come in groups.”
More than horses on the beach
The 33-acre Horses on the Beach Ranch, where the horses are stabled, offers several other amenities and attractions. Behind the new souvenir and gift shop is a ranch-style courtyard and deck complete with fire pit and bench swing seating — perfect for entertaining. An enclosed building, nicknamed “The Trough,” serves food in a controlled, comfortable environment sans bugs, heat and sand.
Alongside The Trough stands a fully equipped catering truck ready to start cooking. A typical menu is more island than ranch with shrimp boils and fajita spreads as main attractions. The ranch accommodates corporate and private parties, birthday bashes and beach weddings.
“I encourage people to call us and let us know what they are interested in doing,” Wells said. “We’ll work with them so they have a great time.”
Parties can include hayrides on the beach and, for younger party-goers, a petting zoo with goats, chickens, pony and pigs. Another attraction that will leave a lasting memory is a photo op with Tex, the ranch’s resident longhorn. Visitors can sit on his back or stand next to him for a photo. For University of Texas Longhorns fans, this is a must!
Horses history
Wells comes from a history of family ranching. For many years, he managed the stables of his dad’s South Padre ranch, which is a similar operation. ‘I learned this business from my dad,” Wells said. “[I learned] the seasonality of it and, operationally, what it takes to run a facility of this size.”
Currently, the ranch has 69 horses, but during the busy season of spring and summer, it might have as many as 80-90 horses, Wells said. During the slower parts of the year, the number of staff members hovers around 10, but during peak season, about 20 employees work full and part time.
Most staff members are well experienced working with horses. Wells and his staff work diligently to properly care for the horses to keep them happy and healthy. This includes daily care but also introducing new horses to the stables.
“When we bring new horses [to the stables], there is no guarantee that they are right for this lifestyle,” he said. “Horses are like people, they are all different.”
If a horse doesn’t work out, Wells doesn’t sell it, he sees that the horse goes to a good home — for free.
Wells opened Horses on the Beach in 2009.
“This business has given me the chance to spend more time with my kids,” he said when asked about the best part of running his own business. “They are getting a little older, so here on the ranch, I am able to be with my kids all day long.”
How to book a ride
Reservations are required to ride. All reservations are booked by phone by calling (361) 949-4944.
Ride schedules vary. For the most up-to-date schedule, guests should call and speak with a staff member, Wells recommended.
To learn more about the experience, visit the Horses on the Beach Corpus Christi Facebook page. Special event information is posted as well as comments from former guests. Ask about group discounts for parties of 10 or more.
