8 Benefits of riding horses

By: Nestor Imberti Posted: 30/10/2017

Benefits of riding horses for your body and mind

For many people, horse riding is a sport or a hobby, while for others it means recreation or to go on a good equestrian holiday.

On the back of horses, we contemplate the surrounding landscapes and at the same time we are part of them when we ride along lakes, pass by waterfalls or ride on mountains.

The most important is that while you ride you relax and acquire physical benefits without you perceiving it.

Furthermore, the equine therapy works with horses in order to achieve improvement in physical or mental rehabilitation of people. It is an outstanding possibility, since horses do not make any difference between a healthy rider and a rider who might has some mental or physical limitation. For many of the patients, it is a positive way to redefine their freedom and equality.

Nuria Gómez, a therapist at the Equine Therapy Association in Spain, published an article in the Spanish newspaper „El País“ providing information on the benefits of equine therapy.

Physical benefits of horseback riding

1. It improves your vertical and horizontal balance.
2. The upper body is held upright, which improves the control of your body posture and helps to correct it.
3. It improves your muscle tone.
4. The higher body temperature of horses improves your blood circulation.
5. It helps to discontract muscles.
6. The constant movement of the horse’s body helps to develop your fine and gross motor skills and your coordination.
7. It improves your body awareness in general and specifically trains equally both sides of your body.
8. It releases endorphins that rejuvenate your body and reduces stress.

Thus, instead of spending hours at the gym, go riding in the nature as often as you can. You will not only relax, but also will enjoy plentiful benefits and positive effects on your body and mind. If you have the possibility, travel to other countries, discover new landscapes on horseback and enrich yourself with new cultures!

Horses are social animals

Horses are very sensitive animals. Their brain works in some aspects similar to human brains. It has developed skills to survive as horses are prey animals. They feel fear what allows them to react immediately to their “fight-and-flight-instinct” and flee in dangerous situations. When a horse gets nervous, it is because of fear, it is not an expression of aggressive behaviour.

Horses are social animals, they need and enjoy being with other horses or human beings.

Being in contact with horses and especially riding horses is not only good for our body, it also has positive impacts on our soul.

Psychological benefits of horseback riding

1. Being in contact with horses improves your confidence, emotional self-control and your self-esteem and reduces stress.
2. It improves your ability to concentrate which has a positive impact on your memory.
3. Taking care of a horse makes us aware of the responsibility we carry and increases the respect we feel for other beings.
4. You learn constantly and increase your knowledge.
5. You improve your sense of orientation in space and time.
6. It helps to socialize with other people and provides positive experiences within a group of people.
7. It increases your empathy and helps you to overcome psychological problems.
8. It releases endorphins what is helpful in the treatment and prevention of depressions.

Riding horses increases our physical and psychological well-being, it might be a therapy that fills us with joy and provides the possibility to enjoy nature with these magnificent animals.

Undoubtedly, horse riding helps you get fit and to maintain you in good shape!

Let’s go riding!

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.

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