If you want to get fit, horse riding could be the perfect exercise for you.
Over the years, research has shown that horse riding offers significant health benefits, as well as a fun day out. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, horse riding benefits you both physically and psychologically, so here are six reasons why you should take up this sport in autumn.
Before listing the 6 reasons, we recommend the Guarnicionería Hermanos Gómez online store, where you can find the finest handcrafted saddles and bridles, along with hundreds of other products for horses and riders.
1. Burn calories
Horse riding can provide a good cardiovascular workout. One study found that just half an hour of horse-related activity, such as trotting, can burn up to 600 calories per ride.
You also burn calories while working around the stables, whether grooming, moving hay bales, lifting saddles onto a horse or carrying buckets. Studies have shown that this can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35%.
2. Get physical exercise
Stay fit by keeping your balance so you don’t bounce in the saddle while riding; you’ll mainly be using your core muscles.
As well as your core, you’ll work your inner thighs and pelvic muscles.
That’s because maintaining good posture and position, while adjusting to the horse’s gait, helps both you and your horse keep your balance.
This helps improve your balance and coordination, while also working to improve your muscle tone and flexibility.
3. Mental health
The BBC reports that mental health problems have more than doubled in the last two years. According to Mind, around 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, and 1 in 6 people in the UK alone say they have experienced a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, in any given week.
As well as improving our physical health and giving us more energy, being active can also boost our mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Horse riding has been shown to help build self-confidence; riders can improve their self-esteem and self-image. A study conducted by The BHS concluded that horse riding primarily stimulated positive psychological feelings, reducing depression by 30% and the likelihood of dementia by 30%.
4. Socialising
The equestrian industry is a highly social community, full of people who help one another and care for each other’s horses, building lifelong relationships. Horse riding is a social activity. We spend a lot of time at the stables, caring for our own horse or a friend’s, and there are also shows, rides, lessons and local clubs. Horse riding is a way of life, and it’s easy to immerse yourself in the equestrian world.
Horse riding can also be considered highly therapeutic, helping riders improve their interpersonal and social skills.
5. Companionship
Horses are wonderful companions, which is why many riders call them their best friends.
Communication and interaction with animals has already been shown to have a positive effect on people, and is widely used in therapeutic riding programmes.
One of the main reasons people ride horses is that they want to interact with them, as horses have been shown to be extremely sociable.
6. New Challenges
Horses are full of surprises and never stop challenging us. There are always new challenges, whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner just learning to ride. Learning new skills, such as dressage or show jumping, and riding a horse with a particular personality can always put our knowledge and riding skills to the test.
Make the most of these health benefits by riding more often.
