Beach Rides
FBTA does not have any juristiction over riding on the beach. The Town of Fairfield is responsible for the beach. Fairfield Recreation rules and dates for beach riding can be found here:
The privilege of riding on the beach can be revoked at any time. In 2008 the town of Fairfield nearly banned it, but conceded ONLY if all horseback riders follow these guidelines, below.
Beach Rules & Etiquette
Clean up your horse’s manure anywhere on the beach and in the parking area. No exceptions! Last year several citizens’ emailed photographs of manure on walkways and in parking lots. This is the biggest complaint from citizens and the reason riding could be banned in the future for non-compliance. Bring a muck bucket and a shovel and clean up manure immediately anywhere that a dog could eat it or a person could step in it.
Ride at low tide only. See TIDE CHART. Horses are not permitted on the beach when it is not low tide. Time your ride accordingly.
Ride below the high tide line (including crossing jetties).
Stay 50 feet away from walkers, dogs, buildings, the playground or anything else that might endanger others.
Park your rig in the back of the parking lot or in the far lot on the opposite side of Beach Road, so residents are not inconvenienced. Take your manure with you! Do not leave anything in the parking lot.
Access the beach to the left of the snack bar and proceed directly down to the water, below the high tide line. If you ride off to the right you must cross the end of the jetty IN the water, therefore it is very important to time your ride exactly at low tide as it is still quite deep.
Ride during less-crowded times. Ride during the week rather than weekend. Ride when it’s gloomy rather than sunny. Avoid holidays or busy times. The risks of incidents increase when the volume of people and dogs increase, so plan accordingly.
Important tips
YOU MAY ENCOUNTER LOOSE DOGS If you or your horse are nervous around dogs, don’t risk coming to the beach. The Fairfield police don’t always patrol the beach to enforce leash laws. Dogs are often off-leash and out of control. In the interest of preserving our collective beach-riding privileges, the FBTA strongly discourages confrontations between horseback riders and pedestrians or dog owners. Stay alert to other’s activity and position yourself and your horse to avoid clashes. Many people are afraid of horses, so keep at least 50 feet of distance between your horse and any walker or dog. If curious people approach you, take steps to ensure that they don't get hurt.
REMAIN CONSIDERATE & POLITE Every complaint the FBTA receives about a rider jeopardizes all of us being able to ride on the beach. Please be courteous and polite to everyone, regardless of their behavior or rudeness.
AVOID BEACH RIDES ON HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS Fairfield beach is a destination spot. On a beautiful day, holiday, or weekend day it will be mobbed with people, kids, dogs, frisbees, even drones! One cannot safely ride amidst all of this activity, and rider/citizen conflicts are inevitable under those circumstances. Choose instead to ride on an overcast weekday when the beach will be wide open and free of pedestrians. And remember, always ride at low tide!
KEEP A LOW PROFILE Remember that you are representing the entire riding community, so please act with decorum. Please don't lunge across the entire breadth of the beach or race four abreast down the beach. Try not to fall off and leave your horse galloping loose down the beach. And on warmer days, please no bikini-clad bareback riders galloping in front of Penfield Pavilion!
CLEAN UPMANURE This cannot be stressed enough: Clean up manure immediately anywhere that a dog could eat it or a person could step in it. Bring a muck bucket and a shovel. The greatest number of complaints come from people who encounter horse manure.
