Horse riding benefits: posture, balance and a better mood

Horse riding is a long-standing tradition in Kazakhstan, and today it’s also a way to move in the fresh air. In the saddle, your back, abdominal and leg muscles work, and the horse’s movement constantly “asks” your body to keep its balance. A meta-analysis of studies on riding activities showed a positive effect on balance and walking in various groups of participants (PubMed).

What are the horse riding benefits for the body?

First and foremost, posture and balance. To sit straight in the saddle, you have to engage your core and back muscles constantly.

• It strengthens the deep muscles of the back and abdomen.
• It trains balance and coordination: a systematic review noted improved balance in healthy older adults after horse riding and riding-simulator sessions (ScienceDirect); more exercises in our article Balance and fall prevention.
• Working with the horse — mucking out, grooming, saddling — is extra everyday activity too.

Horse riding benefits for women and men?

The benefits are similar for both: posture, endurance and mood; it’s the goals that tend to differ. Many women value the gentle work of the pelvic and back muscles and a break from the city, while men value endurance and leg strength at the trot and canter. For both, spending time with a horse is a good way to switch off from stress.

Horse riding benefits and risks: how to start riding as an adult?

The main risk is falls, so start with an instructor, wear a helmet, ride a calm horse and increase the load on your back and knees gradually.

How do you care for a horse?

A horse is your partner, and its wellbeing matters as much as yours. It needs constant access to water and forage, movement and the company of other horses (Mad Barn).

• Warm up the horse at a walk before work and cool it down afterward — more in our article Horse recovery after training.
• Check the hooves, back and tack before and after riding, and schedule regular visits from the vet and farrier (ASPCA).

For horses with a heavy workload, owners often consider AcuLife, LifeWave patches for animals; more in our article AcuLife for dogs, cats and horses. And for themselves, after an active day in the saddle, many people choose X39 — according to the company, it supports the natural production of the GHK-Cu peptide, energy and recovery. According to the company, the patches do not penetrate the skin.