Ever wondered why horse people are so crazy about their horses? Because if you’ve ever had a friend who has a horse, rides competitively, or does pretty much anything with horses at all, you’ve probably noticed it’s almost all they talk about. But believe it or not, your friends aren’t just weird—there are a lot of amazing benefits to taking up horseback riding, and we’re willing to bet that by the end of this article, you’ll be horse crazy too! Not convinced? Just take a look at a few of our favorite reasons why horses change your life for the better.
Physical Exercise
Skilled riders make it look easy but believe me—there’s more to horseback riding than just sitting! Unlike being in a car, where your job is simply to sit back and enjoy the ride, horseback riding is actually a form of moderate-intensity exercise, so it has the same benefit as a quick treadmill workout at the gym. In fact, according to Pamela Peeke, a health expert at Body for Life for Women, horseback riding burns five calories per minute for the average woman. So, imagine how many calories you could burn by increasing your speed and ride time!
If you’re wondering why horseback riding counts as such great exercise, it’s because your body is constantly moving and adjusting with your horse’s. Instead of sitting in a static or sedentary state, you’re working your muscles with every movement. The only difference? You’re having more fun than you would at the gym.
Muscle Tone
We all want to be a bit more toned, don’t we? Everyone’s looking for that perfect workout routine or that ideal sit-up that will strengthen our core, tone our leg muscles, and help us get rid of those doughy parts of our belly we don’t like. The problem is, consistent toning workouts are difficult to keep up, and they require a lot more effort than convincing yourself to eat that extra cupcake. But horseback riding takes all the effort out of maintaining a consistent workout because it’s fun!
Because riding requires lots of concentration on staying upright and in tune with your horse as well as small muscle movements like switching the reins from hand to hand or using hand gestures to guide your horse, you’re more focused on the small things at hand than on the fact that simply riding your horse is the equivalent of a core workout on a fitness ball! So, if you’re looking for a workout you don’t have to think about, maybe invest in some riding lessons!
Emotional Benefits
You’ve probably noticed already that we think horseback riding is fun, but there are more emotional benefits to riding than a simple burst of pleasure. In fact, horseback riding is so beneficial, it’s often used as a form of therapy for people with sensory issues, cerebral palsy, autism, and anxiety, and has been clinically proven to elevate moods and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. So, whether it’s the special connection to nature you experience while riding, the companionship of interacting with a horse, or the stress-relieving properties of focusing on your ride instead of your problems, horseback riding is pretty much guaranteed to make you feel better.
Psychological Benefits
In addition to boosting your mood, horseback riding can also provide you with some unique psychological benefits. Because unlike other activities which might engage or distract you for a short time, horseback riding has the power to engage your brain and re-wire your self-esteem. It might sound too good to be true, but mastering a new skill can do wonders for your confidence! The more you practice, the better you’ll become, and the more tangible proof you’ll have to remind yourself that you can do new things and you are good at something! By learning a new skill, you’re not only increasing your self-confidence, you’re engaging your brain through a new challenge that will bring added meaning to your life. Who doesn’t want more of that?
You can Make New Friends
(And we’re not just talking about your horse!) Many riders report feeling a strong connection with their horse or a sense that their horse is almost an extension of themselves; the more time they spend together, the stronger the bond becomes and the more horse and rider get in touch with each other’s feelings. Some people even say their horse can be a better companion than their friends! But in addition to your new riding buddy, getting involved with horseback riding opens up access to the entire equestrian community, giving you the chance to make many new friends with similar interests. And whether you decide to ride competitively and engage in sport with other equestrian athletes, or you simply take riding lessons, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and socialize with others who— just like you— love horses, love nature, and love learning a new skill.
So, as you’ve probably guessed, these aren’t the only reasons you should take up horseback riding, but they’re a few of our favorites. So, what do you say? Ready to hop in the saddle?
