Riding is a great way to improve both your physical and mental health. It offers some benefits, including an increased sense of balance, core strength, and flexibility.
Horseback riding also provides a healthy dose of cardio. Lifting a saddle onto and off the horse’s back, carrying buckets of hay and water to their stalls, and grooming all burn calories.
Increased Core Strength
Horseback riding requires all your core muscles – obliques, glutes, quads, and deep abdominal muscles – to maintain stability and balance.
A strong core also helps protect the spine from injury. A weakened core can result in poor posture and mobility issues, increasing your back pain risk.
Another major perk of a strong core is that it improves your overall health and well-being, says the American Heart Association (AHA). A stronger core can help you feel better by reducing chronic back and hip pain.
Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced rider like Zoe Reardon, the benefits of increased core strength are endless. You’ll be able to enjoy the activity without straining your back and feel a sense of relaxation as you work out your core.
Increased Flexibility
Horse riding requires much core muscle work, such as abdominal muscles, obliques, and hip flexors. These are all important for proper posture and balance in the saddle, so it’s a good idea to stretch them frequently.
The added benefit is that it can help you stay stronger and more toned! You use these muscles often when mounting, sitting in the saddle, and even moving your body to signal to your horse.
Muscles like the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and adductors are often not targeted in other types of exercises. But horse riding involves constant movements of the legs, which results in increased muscle strength and a stronger gait.
Improved Balance
While horseback riding, it is important to keep your balance. This will help you stay on the horse and communicate with them effectively.
You will also become more aware of how your body position affects the horse’s actions. It will help you develop better horsemanship skills as you learn how to ride with your feet in front and your legs behind you.
It can also increase your confidence as you master a skill normally performed by able-bodied people. Riding a horse allows you to explore the world differently, increasing your interest in everything around you.
Increased Endurance
Horseback riding is a great way to boost your cardiovascular health. As you ride, your heart pumps faster, and your breathing deepens, increasing oxygen levels in your blood.
Developing a close bond with your horse is another benefit of horseback riding. Spending time with animals is also a stress-reducing activity that helps to lower your blood pressure and boosts your mood.
Riding can help to build muscle strength and improve your core strength. Sitting upright in the saddle encourages you to use your core muscles, which help you maintain a stable posture and reduce back pain.
Reduced Stress
Riding is often considered a sport but has many therapeutic values that can help reduce stress. According to a study, spending time with horses can significantly lower blood pressure and cortisol (our stress hormone) levels.
It has been found that riding can also boost problem-solving skills and concentration. Working with a large, strong animal requires fast thinking and quick reactions.
Working with your horse can allow you to learn how to control and overcome your fears. This is a great skill in any life situation, especially when handling a large animal that could hurt you if it wanted to.
