Riding makes you sweat
Horseback riding is a sport that has many great physical benefits. You may think that riding a horse isn't that much different than going on a ride at an amusement park. You just jump on and the horse does all the work, right? Well, not quite. A one-hour ride can burn similar calories to that of a 30 minute jog (10 km/hr) or cycle ride (14 km/h). Therefore, all the health benefits associated with engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise are gained. After your first ride, you may feel muscles that you never knew you had!

• Improved balance and muscle strength
• Improved coordination, faster reflexes and increased motor planning
• Stretching of tight or spastic muscles
• Decreased spasticity
• Increased range of motion of joints
• Improved respiration and circulation
• Stimulated sensory integration
• Improved visual-spatial perception
• Improved eye-hand coordination

Riding makes you think
Horseback riding is a great activity to help exercise your mind. Controlling a large animal challenges you to pay close attention to your actions. Horses rely on their riders to make decisions and practice good judgement.

• Increased vocabulary application and recall
• Increased verbal integration and participation
• Improved attention and concentration
• Improved sequencing and planning skills
• Improved judgement and critical thinking skills
• Improved flexibility in thinking

Riding makes you feel good
Horseback riding is recognized as having excellent therapeutic qualities. The emotional benefits can be of equal importance as the physical benefits. Simply being outdoors and enjoying the countryside will boost your general well-being and act as a great stress buster. There is a real sense of exhilaration and freedom when riding, a feeling that is second-to-none. Furthermore, the relationship and sense of trust developed between you and your horse is highly rewarding. Learning to control and care for an animal much larger than yourself can have a profound effect on your confidence and is a great feeling.

• Improved self-confidence
• Improved assessment abilities
• Development of patience
• Improved emotional control and self-discipline
• Improved expansion of locus of control
• Development of respect and care for animals