ocean echo stables

We had a great time. Bernard was really knowledgeable about the local plants and history. You get a combination of some trail riding and riding along the beach. Be careful though, they use small English riding saddles with little to hang on to. My wife's horse started galloping with no input from her and she slipped off the horse into the water. Only minor injuries, but could have been much worse. She's an experienced rider, but the saddle and total surprise at the horse galloping threw her off. Samantha drove her car to us on the way back and offered to take my wife back in her car, but she was a trooper and decided to remain on the ride.

My daughter & I have horses in the uk , we decided to have an afternoon from sitting on the beach so we booked a trip to horse riding.So glad we did, we both had a fantastic afternoon with our guide telling us lots of information about Barbados and reciting us poetry...Bernard was fabulous (our guide) The horses were well looked after and clearly loved. Galloping on the beach in the sea in the sun TOTALLY AMAZING! I would like to point out one thing truly state your level of experience to get the best from your tour! This tour would be for novice to experience riders.. And is great value for money.

A truly beautiful experience. One to remember. you get to see the island in another light!! A real highlight of our trip..

First...Pay a few extra dollars to have Bernard pick you up. He has a wealth of information about the island and culture which he will share with you throughout your adventure. This is not JUST horse riding, this is a tour of some more rural areas of the island. Bernard was a delight. We were all "fitted" for our horses and rode through beautiful settings and onto the beach. Bernard is a poet and you will love hearing his prose. Ask for his "Television" poem. I really think it should be published. After returning, we were offered a cup of punch and waited while horses were put back in their stables. Bernard drove us back a different route. He was more than happy to stop at a local pub for fish/beer if we wanted. We didn't stop but it was kind of him to offer. Very very much "Island Time" w/ this trip. Loved it.

Wow what an experience, Bernard – a poet and a man of nature – took us out for a couple of hours, riding through fields, forests and on the beach whilst he cited his poetry and taught us about the medicinal properties of many of the plants and introduced us to some new fruits (to us) directly from the trees, a lovely guy and a wonderful experience. If you can ride, tell him so clearly before you go to make sure you're on the right horse.

Revisited ocean echo, organised by sandy lane hotel, collected from reception by Bernard - 30 min drive up through the hills across to east side of island. Stables look a little ramshackle but Bernard , Samantha & gang couldn't be friendlier. Horses all in good shape and well turned out. Ride was neatly 2 hours up and down through small scale Barbados rain forest - water fall and down to beach. Stunning- followed by a freshly picked cocoanut . Whole experience not to be missed.

Thank you Samantha and my mount, the aptly named, 'Star'. Simply wonderful ride through some of the most beautiful countryside and coastline of Barbados. Lovely horses and Samantha a great guide. Not to be forgotten. Regards. Jonathan.

We had the pleasure of a family visit to Ocean Echo stables during our visit to Barbados in early August 2014. From the moment we arrived we were all made to feel welcome and comfortable by Samantha and Bernard. The Bath beach riding tour was simply amazing and the staff at Ocean Echo were an absolute pleasure - thank you to all for such a pleasant experience, we look forward to visiting again

We spent a couple of hours taking a leisurely ride through the countryside and down onto the beach. My husband and I are beginners but my daughter is an experienced rider. So we split into two groups and while she cantered through the countryside we sauntered slowly. Learned so much about the area, plants and wildlife on our trip. My daughter had a wonderful canter along and in the beach which made her holiday. A really lovely family day out. Thanks to everyone at the stables for been so patient too!

The stables are run by lovely people, really friendly with lovely happy horses. We had a great 2 hour beach ride to bath beach - wonderful to be riding along the sand and shore. Amazing views from the start of the trek down to the beach and some lovely poetry along the way. We forgot our camera but Samantha is going to kindly email me some photos taken along the way. A great trip to in Barbados and a lovely way to take in the more rugged east coast/atlantic side of Barbados.

This experience was full of positive vibes from beginning to end. Bernard picked me up from my hotel in Christ Church. Since I hadn't been to Barbados since I was a child, he gave great explanations of the natural environment, culture, and differences among the parishes. Once we got up to St. John, Samantha and the young man working at the stable were very welcoming. It was my first time riding a horse, and everyone was patient and helpful. My horse (Zorro) was on a lead at first, then I rode some of the way without it. Bernard went at a slow but steady pace that was perfect for a beginner. The scenery we saw during the trek was gorgeous, from the pastures and palm trees to the beach (where Bernard took lovely pictures). He also pointed out many of the health benefits of various plants in our surroundings. Bernard was a down-to-earth guide; we chatted about topics like history and poetry! As a poet, I really enjoyed hearing his rhythmic, thought-provoking poetry. Back at the stables, Samantha prepared delicious fruit juice. I loved learning so much about the island with a knowledgeable guide, and I definitely recommend visiting Ocean Echo Stables.-Angela B.

My husband and I had a great couple of hours with Bernard. The east coast of the island is very picturesque and we spent 2 hours trekking through the hills and down on to the beach, even taking the horses for a quick splash in the ocean. The views were breathtaking and Bernard is very knowledgeable on local history as well as flora and fauna. He also took endless photos of us too which are a fantastic memory of the day. Both of us are pretty inexperienced riders, but the horses were very well trained and we just took it at a slow pace. Stables and horses are all lovely - would highly recommend!

I was in Barbados for business and wanted to do something active over the weekend that would allow me to see some more of the island than just the South Coast. I chose Ocean Echo because of the great tripadvisor reviews, and still, it was better than I could have possibly imagined! I took a two-hour ride, just me and Bernard and the beautiful landscape of Barbados' East coast. Bernard really is a font of information on local flora and fauna, not to mention history. He was also very considerate of my needs; I have lots of experience riding, but am rusty after a few years out of the saddle, so he was careful to go at a pace that worked for me. We took a quick canter on the trail itself, and another two on the beach, which the horses seemed to really love.Speaking of the horses, they were lovely and seemed quite happy and well-kept. I rode with Chalice, the pretty palomino gelding, and he hardly needed the bit at all. After we left the beach, we had a lovely mosey back to the stables, chatting and snapping photos and enjoying the view. I really enjoyed my ride and am terribly excited to go back. I highly recommend a visit.

We have been horse riding several times over the years but this trek surpassed any thing else we have done. We were the only riders and had two guides to accompany us. Bernard the lead guide was fantastic! He gave us so much information on local history and the flora and fauna as we rode through the hills above the Atlantic coast and down onto the beach. We were met by Samantha who had organised a meal of freshly cooked Bajun food to be served to us sat on a bench overlooking the waves. The lunch was fabulous; incredible to think what the young lady was able to provide for us from such a tiny kitchen. During the ride back to the school Bernard recited some of his poetry which was amazing. This is not just a horse ride, days like this feed the soul! We will be going back again next February :)

I should have written this review a long time ago but I am only just writing up my notes from my visit to Barbados in December 2011. The few hours I spent riding with Bernárd on a beautiful horse called Chalice were among the most special of my whole trip. The scenery was beautiful and Bernárd was the perfect companion - knowledgable and interesting but sometimes just staying silent so I could take everything in. Samantha was warm and welcoming and the stables were a little peace of paradise. I wished I could have stayed longer but we are planning to come back next year so I'll definitely be coming for another ride. Thank you Bernárd and Samantha for a day I'll never forget. (The date below is incorrect but it wouldn't let me put the correct date of my visit which was December 2011).