We’ve all heard it: “The rider does nothing and the horse does all the work!”
As a rider, I wish this were true. I really, really do. However, it’s a sad fact of life that as soon as a riding hat is taken off, hair is wild and sweaty and faces are red.
A report created by the British Horse Society (BHS) found that horse riding and activities associated with horse riding – such as mucking out a stable – are classified as moderate intensity exercises. This puts riding on the same health beneficial level as tennis, volleyball, cycling and swimming. Furthermore, regular periods of trotting in a session increases the energy used with the associated health benefits, as does riding without stirrups.
Moreover, those with a long-standing illness or disability were found to be “able to undertake horse riding and associated activities at the same self-reported level of frequency and physical intensity as those without such an illness or disability.” This makes horse riding a very inclusive sport.
There are also mental health benefits to horse riding. Horse riding was proven to stimulate mainly positive psychological feelings, and riders were found to be motivated to ride due to the sense of well-being gained when interacting with horses. Personally I find it empowering that half a tonne of animal agrees with my decision because they trust my judgement. Similarly, what could be better than a gallop away from the stresses of life through the countryside and seeing deer, hawks or foxes up close?
If you’re interested in reading the British Horse Society’s report in full, you can find it here.
It is quite a long report but it is genuinely interesting and worth a read if you still don’t believe that riding is a sport!
Natalie
UWE Riding Club 2014-2015 