Horse Riding - The Physical benefits

By its very nature, horse riding influences the whole person and the effect on all the body's systems can be profound. Whether the event is show jumping, dressage, cross-country or hacking along woodland walks, the unique combination of the horse and its movement with the rider produces an extraordinary effort on all the systems of the body.

As the horse moves the rider is constantly thrown off balance requiring that the rider's muscles contract and relax in an attempt to re-balance.

This exercise reaches the deep postural muscles of the trunk and pelvis and the adductor muscles of the thighs. Also, depending on the speed of the horse, other sets of muscles are working strongly such as the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutei’s during rising trot.

Horse riding, especially trotting and cantering increase both the respiratory and circulatory systems therefore it is considered to be cardiovascular exercise. Indeed, in an article obtained through the Internet (Calorie control Council - Fit Facts) the total calories used per hour by a 150 pound person during horse riding were similar to those used during jogging (6mph) and cycling (9mph) (315-480 calories per hour).

Riding a horse requires a great deal of co-ordination in order to get the desired response from the horse. Repetition of the patterned movements required in controlling the horse aid to quicken the reflexes.

As well as improved co-ordination and relaxation, riding stimulates the vesibular system by the movement of the horse and it's changes in direction and speed. Proprioception has also shown to increase due to activation of the proprioceptors in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint.

To conclude, horse riding is a wonderful form of exercise, which stimulates the cardiovascular system as well as all the body systems.

Although riding is a strenuous exercise, it is perceived as enjoyment, therefore the rider has increased tolerance and motivation to lengthen the period of exercise.

Lisa McFarlane
Senior 11 Physiotherapist

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Studies & Case Histories

1. Equine and human gait has been the subject of studies at Bristol University and The Central Remedial Clinic in Dublin and a further study at Bristol evaluating the movements of horse and rider and their effect upon each other. In 10 minutes at a walk, a horse has 100 movements in 3 dimensions. These are all transferred to the rider in order to maintain balance even if he/she makes no conscious effort to move. Therefore at faster gaits, there is more muscle movement for the rider. If the rider is consciously riding and controlling the horse, far greater muscle exercise is taken.

2. At Brunel University, an engineering group has pioneered a "Dynamic Postural Saddle Seat" to simulate the motion of a moving horse and challenge the rider's balance. The purpose of this simulator is to give physiotherapists a tool to use between actual riding sessions.

3. In another earlier study at Liverpool University, it was found that wheelchair people who ride or swim suffer far less from urinary complaints (to which they are very prone) because the increase in exercise stimulates the respiratory system and consequently has the knock-on effect of stimulating the circulatory and urinary systems (flushing through the kidneys).

4. To Consider riding as non-aerobic or passive is completely absurd as can be seen from the 3 foregoing scientific studies - the more muscles are exercised, the more the lungs are stimulated - of necessity, they require oxygen to function.

5. As a purely practical example of a disabled Tayside rider known to me, I cite the following:- this young man has a fairly severe Kyphosis ie, hump back and consequently a very small lung cage and capacity. He rides to quite an advanced level in competitive dressage. Extended trotting makes him VERY BREATHLESS taxing his lung capacity considerably. Nothing daunted, he perseveres and his capacity has improved a little or maybe it's his determination that caries him through but in his own words "he's knackered" at the end.

Is that exercise non-aerobic?

A.M Cooper
Publicity Officer
West & Central Scotland

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It's Good for you

Hacking out burns up approximately 40 calories per 10 minutes or 240 calories per hour. Mucking out burns up 80 calories per 10 mins or 480 calories per hour. Schooling a horse burns up 70 calories per 10 mins or 360 calories per hour.

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Stress Busting

Riders enjoy fresh air at the same time as taking exercise. The mere act of patting a horse is proven to lower your blood pressure. Caring for a horse gives humans experience of relationships, responsibility and friendship - bonding with the noble horse is the best stress buster you can find!

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Boost your Confidence

Learning to control and animal so much larger than yourself does wonders to boost your self-confidence.

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