The Health Benefits of Riding a Horse

Before cars were invented, people always used horses to travel. Because of that everyone knew how to take care and ride a horse. In our days, we are not depending anymore on these animals. We are considering riding a horse only as a recreational activity.
Among a lot of health benefits of riding a horse, the most obvious of them are:

• strong core
• strong legs,           

but there are also some less obvious benefits, like:

• a boost in confidence
• meditation

Very important is that horses are used in therapy for mentally disabled children.
According to Health Fitness Revolution's top list of the health benefits of riding a horse are:

• Body Awareness: riding a horse works the core muscles that stabilize the trunk: the abdominal and back(because when you are riding a horse your upper part of the body must be straight) and pelvic muscles(because when you are riding a horse you have to hold on by clenching the legs). However, it is not just about the strength of the core, but also about the coordination and stability. As you will try to ride more, your body will learn to move with the horse and it will be easier.

• Quick Thinking: riding a horse, which is such a large, powerful, wonderful animal with a strong personality, every moment having something on his mind, can be a full-body workout. This will make you engage your muscles you never used before. You are also continuously adjusting to the form of the horse.

• Coordination: riding involves doing all sorts of movements at once, in order to guide properly your horse. Because of this particular thing, therapeutic riding programs for the sight-impaired had shown a lot of success.

• Core Strength: riding a horse involves an isometric exercise. That means that you are using specific muscles to stay in certain positions, for keeping your balance. Because of that, the postural strength is a major point when riding and the posture of riders improves even in day by day activities.                                       

• Muscle Tone and Flexibility: riding a horse works out beside the core muscles, also inner thighs and pelvic muscles. During your ride, you often need to maintain a squatting position, constantly having to adjust to the cadence of your horse. Because of that, your muscle tone and flexibility will improve visibly.

• Stable Strength: before any of us starts riding, we also have to take care, clean and feed our horse. For that, working in a barn strengthens your muscles and increases cardiovascular capacity.

• Mental exercise: riding a horse brings you also many mental benefits, you did not imagine till now. Not only that you learn a lot about yourself as you experience time on a horse, but also it gives a meditative effect, because of the constant focus on riding and staying on the horse. Beside being a great exercise, you will also benefit on having a connection and bond with the animal. We should not forget about the peace of mind that comes along every time you ride.

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