Horse person, you’ve probably heard someone say at some point “you’re just sitting there”, “all you need is balance”, “horse riding is easy”. We have also heard it, however, when that person finally gets on a horse it doesn’t seem so simple anymore. And why is that? Being on a horse, you use all your main muscle groups without even realizing it. As the horse walks, you feel a three-dimensional movement, meaning that the horse swings your hips both forward and backwards and sideways. In this way, your body is forced to work constantly to maintain balance and hold you on to the horse. The movement created by the horse is very similar to what you have while walking. Thanks to this, the horse is able to help people with movement disorders.
Additionally, your coordination and motor skills work intensively. You will feel the need for these abilities the moment you get the reins in your hands and you understand that now “the steering wheel” is yours. And there’s so much at the same time – how to hold your hands, what to do with your legs, how to keep your upper body, where you even have to look!? Well, guess it’s just a little bit more complicated than driving a car. In case you started to worry that it is impossible to learn this art in the first 5-10 minutes, shake it off – even at high-level equestrian sports are not ideals. More important is your ability to cooperate with the horse and go in one direction as a whole.
“Riding a horse is just a little bit more complicated than driving a car.”
The horse is able to calm you down. Just like that. Without the words. It has a positive impact on your emotional state, helps to calm your mind from the daily bustle and rush. This way you can finally relax and regain confidence. It is interesting that regular riding with a horse also improves your ability to concentrate, you are able to think and make decisions quickly. And that is simply because when you are on a horse, your thoughts must be in the present moment. You learn to trust. Your communication skills improve. You ask how if the horses do not speak? You learn to communicate through your body language, to be truthful and open. The horse feels your emotional state, so it will be difficult to fool it with words alone.
Being with horse improves your mental state. Spending time like this is believed to improve the levels of the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin. To substantiate this claim, the British Horse Society conducted a study on the effects of horse riding on human health and found that more than 80% of respondents felt quite or even extremely cheerful, relaxed, happy or active after horse riding.
We can also share our experience – even the process of giving carrots is a great adventure that brings a lot of joy and excitement! Those big, sparkling eyes and soft lips that gently take the given treat from the palm and then enjoy it with a delicious mouth. It is a dose of positivism for both adults and children.
Exciting, what the horse can accomplish this by simply being near you!
Do you know what coaching is and that also a horse is used during these sessions as an additional tool? You will get a little insight into it in one of the next articles – follow along!
Sources of inspiration:
Cramer Quarter Horses
10 Health Benefits of Horseback Riding
The British Horse Society
Hacking Your Way to Health
6 Reasons why horse riding is great for your health