Horseback Riding for Health:
Horseback Riding for Better Health
Whether
you're looking to relive childhood memories or your entire family
grew up in the city and you want to try something different, horseback
riding can have a great many health, relaxation, and fitness benefits.
Despite
the fact that this is an extremely physical activity, it is possible
to participate no matter what your level of physical coordination
is. In fact, horseback riding is used quite often as physical therapy
for a variety of ailments. This is especially ideal if your family
has several needs that need to be filled by a sport you can do together.
There are programs available for every level of rider, from beginner
to expert.
One
area that will be improved almost immediately is posture. Balance
and posture are things that will become second nature after a little
bit of riding. From the moment you get on a horse, you will start
learning the balance you need to stay on. In this activity, you'll
be ground through your hips, and the movement of the horse causes
you to strengthen your core muscles and improve your posture in
general. Exercises that will help this can range from merely walking
the horse at first to more active exercises like grabbing rings
at a trot.
Your
muscles and joints are another area that can greatly benefit from
horseback riding. The movements of the horse force you develop good
muscle tone, this happen automatically and instinctively. While
this is most noticeable in your thighs and calves, there is a a
more holistic effect going on as well.
Riding
will also improve the muscle tone and flexibility of the entire
body.
As
you learn to use your body with the horse, you will develop a greater
range of movement that will enable you to become healthier as well
as a better rider. This is an excellent activity for children of
all ages as they will develop a foundation for health that can carry
them through adulthood.
Whatever
your family's situation with muscle development, horseback riding
can help! Whether the muscle tone was not developed or too tense,
horseback riding can provide an excellent equilibrium.
Besides
the physical benefits available to horseback riders, there is also
a great deal to be said regarding the emotional and cognitive benefits
as well. While horseback riding, you'll be outdoors and getting
to know an animal that you may not have had much experience with
before. Depending on what approach you decide to use, you and your
children can get to know your mounts quite well and learn a great
deal about caring for animals and how they function.
With
all these benefits, there's never been a better time to gather your
family and saddle up.
Disclaimer:
Throughout this entire website, statements are made pertaining to
the properties and/or functions of food and/or nutritional products.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration
and these materials and products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease.