Friday, July 18, 2014
For the Love of Horses
8:51 AM | 
Posted by
Kaplan Center for Health and Wellness
My daughter expressed an interest
in riding horses at a young age. We
signed her up for riding lessons and summer day camps for several years before
buying her a horse to keep on our farm.
Before owning a horse, we did some research, but…. Needless to say, owning a horse is completely
different from riding one at lessons!
Long story short, we now have two horses and both my daughter and I take
lessons – both English and Western.
I have learned that riding horses
is truly a sport. It requires skill,
strength, and mental knowledge. Some
might have experience riding a trail horse at a vacation resort, where the
horse does all the work. Training a
horse to ride dressage, jump, or western pleasure is a completely different
experience! The rider must maintain
balance, correct form, and use a different set of muscles than is used in most
fitness activities.
The health and mental benefits of
riding horses are many. Here are just a
few:
1. Physical fitness – riding horses is a
physical exercise that builds muscles and burns calories.
2. Improved balance and coordination – core
muscles are strengthened while riding horses, as is your ability to balance.
3. Build Knowledge – there is much to be learned
in the horse world, including a whole new vocabulary!
4. Reduce Stress – most riders form an emotional
bond with their horses and find their stress level decreases during equine
activities.
Riding horses can be fun an as
individual activity, but it is safer and more enjoyable in a group! Most areas have local riding clubs. A quick search online might help you find
someone in your area that offers individual or group lessons. Whatever your physical activities might
include, be sure to find new challenges to keep it fresh!
Valerie J Connor, MA CCC-SLP
Reference:
Donegal Equestrian Centre
(n.d.). Benefits of horse riding. Retrieved from http://donegalequestriancentre.com/riding-lessons/benefits-of-horse-riding/
Labels:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment