Why you should start to Hoof it to Health

Hoof it to Health with some time in the saddle!

“No hour is wasted that is spent in the saddle” Winston Churchill

“The outside of a horse is the best thing for the inside of a man” Xenophon

Horse riding is not only a sport, it’s a partnership. It combines a physical cardio vascular workout burning lots of calories along the way, with a mental challenge. It increases self confidence, opens up a new social network and most important of all, it can be taken at any pace, by anyone young or old. Riding is a sport for all ages and all seasons.

The Physical Benefits of horse riding

Improved balance and muscle strength.
Improved eye-hand coordination.
Increased range of motion of joints
Improved respiration and circulation
Improved coordination, faster reflexes and increased motor planning
Stretching of tight or spastic muscles
Stimulates the integration of all senses
Improved distance and visual perception

Socio-emotional benefits of horse riding

Improved self-confidence
Improved risk-taking abilities
Development of patience
Emotional control and self-discipline
Development of respect and care for animals
More control over ones environment
Development of respect and care for animals.

Burn those calories

Horse riding can burn the same calories per hour as a 30 minute jog at six miles per hour – around 315-480 an hour for someone who weighs 150 lbs (10 stone 7 lb). (Source: Calorie Control Council – Fit Facts)

Strengthen and tone

Horse riding is a great way of toning. It is a cardio vascular workout, like working hard in the gym, so it conditions the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. It is most effective in working the major muscle groups in the body, developing leg muscles, core body strength, the deep postural control muscles, arm and hand muscles – and the beauty is it does that all at the same time, unlike most gym equipment!

Speed up the Metabolism

Physical exercise releases endorphins - chemicals that adjust the body's metabolism in ways that can result in euphoric "feel good" feelings, assist in blood pressure improvement and provide self-induced pain relief. And it helps diabetes.

Posture, Core strength, balance and posture

A Senior Physiotherapist at the British Horse Society says that horse riding influences the whole person. Even simply hacking along woodland trails means as the horse moves, the person must continually re-balance, contracting and relaxing their muscles, to stay aboard.

Benefits of being outdoors

Research was undertaken in 2005 for the Countryside Recreation Network that found that ‘Green Exercise’ ie being outdoors participating with nature as happens in horse riding, lowers rates of depression, raises self esteem and has a positive impact on mood and stress levels. More information on this study is available at: www.countrysiderecreation.org.uk

Other studies have also identified that being outdoors is beneficial to health. In Holland a study was undertaken that demonstrated a positive link between lower disease prevalence and more green space; www.outdoorshealthnetwork.co.uk

The horse as the healer

Lynne Munro Chair of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding tells us:

“Horse riding is recognized as having outstanding therapeutic qualities. There are references to the benefits of therapeutic riding as far back as 600 BC, when Socrates wrote of the "riding's healing rhythm" for both mental and physical improvement. Horses were also used in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers after World War II.

“Therapeutic riding involves teaching the rider the necessary skills and techniques required to ride a horse as independently as possible. The emphasis is not only on the physical benefits of riding, but also on development. It is used to improve the balance, coordination, focus, independence, confidence, motor and social skills. Therapeutic riding is beneficial to children and adults with any of a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional conditions.

Study of riding in patients with back pain

A total of 24 patients, considerably disabled in daily activities by back pain, participated in an Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) programme. The study demonstrated that treatment through horse riding reduced the pain and lessened other symptoms. It also had a positive influence on the patients’ self-image and a positive chain of effects was observed. Source: Selected journal articles and book titles (University of California, UCDavis, Veterinary MedicineGives a broad overview of topic)

The psychological, health and well-being benefits of horse riding

Abbe Brady BASES Accredited Sport Psychologist on the benefits of horse riding: “Riding is enjoyable and exhilarating and for many it can also be a great stress-reliever. “Descriptions of experiences when riding often include; feeling at one with the horse, having a sense of control, being less self-conscious and losing track of time when riding because one is so absorbed in the activity itself.”

The RDA and its work

Riding for the Disabled is one of the most important charities in bringing horse riding and its physical and emotional benefits to people who might not otherwise be able to access riding.

RDA not only offers horse riding to people with a variety of disabilities, it also involves carriage driving and vaulting, which benefit both the participants and the volunteers who cycle or walk alongside. The RDA takes a team approach to its work and links to UKCC coaching ensuring accountability and professionalism within the sport, with a big focus on horse welfare.

Getting started!

So riding is truly beneficial, and accessible for all levels and all socio-economic backgrounds. Contact your local RDA / Pony Club / BHS & ABRS approved centres for information on riding in London or visit www.bef.co.uk Or visit our riding centre pages