Horse riding is an incredible form of exercise, especially if you’re into long distance, endurance riding. And if you’re an animal lover, it’s just that much better.
However, very often, people fail to acknowledge the fact that horse riding is indeed a very real form of exercise and physical exertion. Your legs may not be moving, but that doesn’t mean that your body isn’t working hard. Sure, it’s very different to running, cycling or weight lifting, but horse riding requires a type of strength and cardiovascular fitness that is quite different to many other sports.
Understandably, for those who aren’t too keen on interacting with horses in person, something like live horse racing betting may be a little more appealing. Or, if you tend to prefer sports and activities that involve a lot of hardcore exercise and get the adrenaline pumping, you may rather want to try sky diving or something. However, if you’re somebody who likes the sound of horse riding, you may be interested to know that it’s not just a decent form of exercise, but it’s actually very good for your health.
Thus, whether you’re old, young, big or small, here’s why horse riding is good for your health.
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Excellent Physical Exercise
Even though you’re technically sitting down, horse riding is actually really good exercise. Just like anything, the more you do and the longer you do it, the better it is for you.
In fact, horse riding provides full body exercise and is particularly good for your core. It’s also great for your cardiovascular health and will help you build strength and endurance and improve your overall flexibility. It may not be a hardcore adventure sport, but horse riding certainly is good exercise.
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It Can Help Relieve Stress
There are several reasons why horse riding can help relieve stress and the first is all about the way in which doing exercise can make you feel good and more relaxed.
In addition, however, it’s also about the animals and being outdoors. Spending time in such close proximity with an animal – being in harmony with an animal and building a relationship with it – can be deeply therapeutic. Furthermore, spending outdoors in nature, breathing in fresh air, is always good for stress and anxiety.
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Can Improve Balance and Coordination
Since horse riding requires good balance and coordination, if you practice enough, it’s bound to improve over time.
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It Can Help Build Your Confidence
Horse riding can be great for building your confidence for many reasons. First, it requires completely trusting your horse. And second, you are responsible for looking after it and taking care of its wellbeing. Getting those two things right and achieving a sense of discipline in the sport are massively rewarding.
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Social Benefits
While many people use horse riding as a time to be alone, it can also provide an opportunity to socialise and meet other like minded people. Whether you bond over looking after and grooming your horses or actually go for rides together, it can be a great way to make friends.