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Follow your favourite athletes, horses and events. Visit the fei. Horse riding can help make you more aware of how you hold your upper body so you can take steps to correct it, both on and off the horse. Horses are generally of the unpredictable type. You know, like the friend that just shows up at your door without warning or the partner that decided it was a good idea to move laundry day from Tuesday to Friday..
Ok, maybe not exactly like that. The point is, sometimes horses can throw you curve balls and when they do, you will have about a split second to decide how to react. That means your brain will likely not be heavily involved so it is your instincts and reflexes that call the shots. Rinse and repeat throughout an equestrian career and chances are your reflexes are pretty on point. Mucking out stalls, loading huge bags of pellets into storage containers, lifting the saddle back onto that annoyingly high tack room wall rack and carrying around piles of wet and thick rugs all the while trying to peek over said pile checking for treacherous obstacles in our way.
Whether you realize it or not, barn chores and activities require some real muscle strength. Not only does being around horses mean spending time outside and being physically active, but it also offers experiences and insights, unlike any other sport or leisure activity. There are few feelings that compare to the feeling of making a real connection with an animal that you cannot verbally communicate with. Or Loke blowing warm air down my back and gently nuzzling my neck with his upper lip during a grooming session.
Building a relationship with a horse takes time, just like it does with humans. But with mutual trust and respect as well as a series of positive experiences together, usually, a bond will develop, and it will contribute to your overall happiness. As we discussed in our article Is Horse Riding Easy to Learn , there is a lot that goes into becoming a good rider.
One key ingredient, and something pretty much every equestrian I have ever met struggles with at some point, is patience. Teaching ourselves and the horse new skills is not done overnight and often requires a lot of repetition and practice. If you want to get anywhere as a rider, perseverance is a skill you will inevitably need and something that is likely to serve you in other aspects of life as well. Horse riding requires most of your attention to stay safe and guide the horse where he needs to go.
An amazing side-effect of this is that riding allows you to disconnect from stress and worries in your life as you focus on the horse and your surroundings. Sure, your problems will still be there when you get back in your car to drive home, but your mind has been given a break and your stress levels were reduced during the time when your mind was engaged elsewhere.
Getting out of negative thought spirals, away from the source of stress and going outside in nature and fresh air can all do wonders for the mind. Studies indicate that horse riding increases levels of the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin more than other types of exercise source and this probably comes as no surprise to experienced equestrians. Horse riding benefits do not end at the physical and psychological, it also contributes to developing skills and personal abilities. This is one of the reasons why we believe it is such a great activity for children — the horses teach them so many lessons, both directly and indirectly.
Whether you own, lease or just occasionally take horse riding lessons, taking care of a horse requires a certain level of maturity. In fact, this is why many riders started riding according to questionnaire respondents from the BHS study. Horseback riding is relaxing. In fact, therapeutic riding has shown to reduce muscle spasticity as tight muscles are stretched due to the natural motion of the horse.
We know going for a walk can be relaxing. In addition, riding has been known to increase the range of motion of joints, allowing riders to move more freely. Being a horseback rider can leads to a certain lifestyle. But that is for the rider to determine what kind of lifestyle with horses they wish to have. For instance, some love to be rough and wild on the range with a ranch and working horses. On the opposite end of the spectrum might be the rider who travels from show to show in an effort to win ribbons and be the best rider on a circuit or in a show series.
Or maybe you want to just be a weekend warrior and ride occasionally. And there are many different lifestyles and variations, and the ability to create a totally unique lifestyle. And since I have worked in the horse industry as a journalist, one of the benefits of my horseback riding experience has also been a means of livelihood for me. And the same is true for so many people I know…the benefits of horseback riding led them to find a career with horses. There is nothing like loving a horse, except for knowing that the same horse loves you back.
The human-animal bond is one of the best reasons to learn to ride. Horses are willing to become true partners with their riders. If treated with respect, kindness, and love, then the bond that develops is truly amazing and inspiring. Anyone who has sat on the back of a horse knows that it is just plain fun.
After all, why else would equestrians spend so much of their money and so much of their time on horses. Because it is worth it. Riding can make you feel more alive than other hobbies. There is an adventurousness to it. It offers freedom, movement, and makes amazing feats of athleticism possible. And there is a total thrill with galloping across an open field, in tune with your mount. Not every moment on horseback is like the scene from a movie where the star rides off into the sunset.
Just like learning any new skill, learning to ride involves hard work and dedication. Add in some dirty stalls, stubborn horses, chores by the bucketload, and exhausting days and you will have the time of your life. So I am curious, what are your favorite benefits of horseback riding? Share with us in the comments below. She also owns All In Stride Marketing. She is an award-winning equestrian journalist with a background in magazine publishing, feature writing, news and event coverage, editing, digital marketing, social media, and website management.
By Sarah Evers Conrad Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to learn how to ride. Positive Character Traits Horseback riding teaches responsibility to those who ride and even more so to those who take care of horses.
Physical Health Horseback riding is physically demanding and can help you stay in shape.
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