3 Fitness Benefits Associated with Horseback Riding

Article written by No Myth Fitness

It’s a common misconception that fitness and horseback riding are hardly related – but think again.

This is for the simple reason that controlling a large and strong animal will demand a lot out of you. In other words, this activity gives your muscles a thorough workout and will test your fitness and levels of strength in the process.

So, having said that, here are 3 fitness benefits associated with horseback riding:

#1: Improvement in Coordination

Horse riding isn’t as easy as it looks. There are a number of things that you have to do in order to stay in control of the horse, whether it is your body position, rein or leg pressure. Riding for at least two hours a week will help you to improve coordination by helping you get that sense of body awareness – something that can help you if you want to play a sport.

#2: Greater Balance and Stability

When you ride a horse, it gets difficult keeping your balance when speed and maneuvers are involved. Riding bareback is all that more harder since there are no stirrups. Initially, it will be difficult but stability can be achieved by trying a few in-saddle exercises such as taking your feet in and out of the saddle when the horse is on a trot. Yet if one persists on pursuing this activity, you will benefit from attaining greater balance and stability.

#3: Better Flexibility

Horseriding results in better flexibility and improves as long as you sit in the correct position. Your glutes, hamstrings, hips, adductors and calves will all get a good workout in the process. In other words, more flexibility means greater range of motion and reduced tension and that will mean less injury when you work out or play a sport.