Why is it so beneficial?
Not only being beautiful scenery, the beach has benefits for horses in many respects.
The water, giving its cooling impact on the legs, is excellent for joints. After a gallop, trial or race day the beach is an excellent way for horses to continue to do light work without having pressure placed on their bodies.
At Warrnambool, horses can work along the sand on the waters edge, wade through the water or will be taken out behind a boat to swim.
With horses undergoing rehabilitation after an injury, they have the added benefit of the beach being good for their mind, muscle, skeletal or tendons.
While some claim that it is too cold at this time of the year for the horses to get the best from the beach, most trainers say that the cooler the water the better.
For those working with the horses, the beautiful sunrises are an added benefit to working with these magnificent animals.