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5 reasons to take up horse riding

Written by Fiona

April 10 2017

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and try something new. So, how about trying horse riding? While taking the leap into equestrian life can be costly and often time-consuming, you can still give riding a try at local stables without too much commitment. And then, if you enjoy it, you might find the benefits of owning your own horse far outweigh the negatives. Here are five reasons to take up riding.

Explore the outdoors

Horse riding has the ability of allowing you to explore the outdoors from a unique vantage point. Atop a horse, you can majestically take in your surroundings, while covering a greater distance than you would on foot.

Improves your fitness

“The horse does all the work” is a common misconception when it comes to horse riding. Maintaining posture while riding actually requires a great deal of core strength, balance and coordination. A recent British Horse Society study found that trotting exerts more energy than playing badminton.

Subtly adjusting your body to adapt to the constantly varying position of your horse is an isometric exercise that trains the muscles to stay in the same place. Over time, riding will help you develop muscle tone in your back and thighs, as well as improving your posture.

Mood booster

There’s a reason why equestrians love their horses. The psychological benefits of interacting with animals have been well-documented and horses are no different. Spending time with animals causes the secretion of serotonin in the brain, which has a mood-boosting effect.

The bond that forms between rider and horse will ensure you feel indebted to the horse at all times and will want to care for it as much as possible. This, of course, extends to feeding the horse. A balanced horse feed will make sure your horse has the varied diet that they need in order to be healthy, so be sure to take the advice of a trained nutritionist.

Learn new skills

Taking up horse riding presents you with an opportunity to develop a new range of skills. From getting to grips with your new equine companion to learning how to dictate your speed, there is a lot to learn for a novice horse rider. Dressage and show jumping are just two of many examples of the highly specialised routes that horse riding can take you down, both of which are equally challenging and rewarding.

Make new friends

Many people make life-long friends through a sport and horse riding is no different. Whether you bond over the mutual hatred of mucking out, or head out together for a summer ride, the friends you make at the stables are friends for life.

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