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The Benefits of Horse Riding | Zippy

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Zippy Equestrian center
The Benefits of Horse Riding | Zippy

Horse riding is a great way to get outdoors, exercise your body and mind and bond with nature. It also helps you build strength and stamina that you can use in other areas of your life.

Riding a horse can be very therapeutic, especially for those with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. The emotional benefits of horseback riding have been studied and shown to directly help people with ADD, PTSD, and autism.

Physical Activity

Horse riding is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health and strength. It requires you to push your heart and lungs harder than walking or jogging, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and other health conditions.


It also helps build core strength, which is essential for balance and posture. Riding sits tall, squeezing your horse's sides ignites your core muscles and forces them to work hard, which builds stability in the spine.


The physical activity of horse riding can also be beneficial for your mental health and emotions. Spending time with animals is believed to boost levels of the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin, reducing stress and increasing self-confidence.


A 2010 study commissioned by the British Horse Society found that most riders rode for at least half an hour, three times a week, which is moderate exercise according to England's minimum level of recommended exercise. Activities associated with horse riding, such as mucking out your mount's stall, are also moderate.


Mental Health

Horse riding is known to be an extremely relaxing activity, and can reduce stress in the body. This is due to the natural rhythm of a horse’s trot, which can help lower blood pressure and cortisol levels in the body.


In addition, many people find that the calm and loving nature of horses can also help relieve negative feelings such as anxiety and depression. This is because horses are incredibly sensitive animals that can read and react to people’s emotions.

This helps people who are struggling with mental health issues to connect with their feelings and get them to the forefront of their mind. As a result, they can feel more self-aware and more likely to seek help for their problem.


Social Interaction

Horse riding is a social activity that can provide a unique opportunity to meet other riders and share in the experience. It also provides a chance to develop friendships and create strong bonds with your horse.


Research has shown that horse riding can help you improve your communication skills, increase your self-esteem and confidence, and reduce your stress level. It can also increase your sense of responsibility and empathy, helping you to become more assertive in your interactions with others.

Humans and horses can communicate using body language, facial expressions and even sound waves. They can also detect emotions and understand moods such as happiness, stress, trust and worry.

Safety

When you ride a horse, your safety is reliant on your ability to think quickly and respond to the surroundings. This is a skill that you can build and improve over time.


Horses are highly sensitive, curious animals that respond to disruptions in their environment. They react by spooking, fleeing, or bunching together to ward off danger.


This means that if you’re walking past a horse, you might get trampled or kicked by it – both of which could result in serious injuries.

The good news is that horse riding is not only enjoyable, but can be beneficial for your body and mind too! You’ll find that your reflexes, concentration, and motor coordination will all improve.


You’ll also build up a resilience against negative experiences and a sense of control over your emotions. This can help you to cope with any difficult situations in life. Riding a horse can also be an excellent way to overcome fears.

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