Riding can be the perfect workout to help you reach your fitness goals, but did you know it can be just the ticket to raising your spirits and improving your mental well-being?

Over the years, research has proven that horse riding gives you significant health benefits, as well as a day full of fun. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, riding horses benefit you both physically and psychologically; hacking out is a great cardiovascular exercise, with trotting burning up to 600 calories per ride! While riding, you are also building a relationship with your horse which can give you a serotonin boost and also give you that much-needed motivation to get outside and start exercising.

Riding is far from being a sport just for able-bodied people, as the Paralympics continues to demonstrate, horse riding is open to everyone. For those who do not feel ready to get onto a horse just yet, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at local stables, which is a perfect chance to dip your toe into the equestrian world. Whether you’re grooming, moving hay bales, lifting saddles onto the back of a horse, or carrying buckets, studies have proven this can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35%. Get involved and find a BHS Approved Centre near you by visiting: www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding

Boost your Body and Brain

You may have heard the phrase ‘engage your core’ when talking about fitness, the same concept can be applied to horse riding. By staying balanced to keep you from bouncing around in the saddle while you ride, you’ll primarily use your core muscles.

In addition to the core, you’ll get a good workout in your inner thighs and pelvic muscles. This is down to the importance of maintaining a good posture and position, adjusting to the horse’s gait to help both you and your horse keep a well-maintained balance. This helps improve your balance and coordination as well as improving your muscle tone and level of flexibility.

Horse riding has also been proven to help self-confidence; riders may gain an increase in self-esteem and self-image. The study completed by the BHS concluded that horseback riding stimulated mainly positive psychological feelings, reducing depression by 30% as well as lowering the chance of dementia by 30%.

Similar results have been seen in participants of the BHS’s Changing Lives through Horses (CLtH) programme.

 Aimed at young people who are either permanently excluded, at risk of permanent exclusion or who have special education needs or disabilities (SEND) and those who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), the programme looks to reconnect them to the community through the magic of horses.

Many participants have reported that CLtH has not only rekindled their desire to return to education, but that being around and working with horses has also led to a vast improvement in their mental health, particularly around confidence and self-esteem issues.

Community Feeling

Riding can also be seen as very therapeutic, which has given riders improved interpersonal skills and socialisation skills.

One of the best parts about horse riding is that it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends, both four-legged and two! The equestrian industry is a very social community full of people who will help each other and help care for horses, building lifelong relationships.

There’s a multitude of shows you can attend and trail rides, as well as local clubs you can get involved in. If you fancy yourself as a competition rider, why not check out your nearest British Riding Club? Members can enjoy a dedicated support network and the chance to compete at national competitions, training and social events. Find your nearest club at www.bhs.org.uk/brc

With Springtime upon us, it’s the perfect time to get involved with organised rides too. The BHS’s Ride Out UK (ROUK) campaign kickstarts in May and runs through until October. With rides being organised up and down the UK, it is a celebration of the joys of riding out in the quintessential British countryside as well as raising awareness of the great work we do to protect and extend safe places to ride and carriage drive off-road.

This year includes rides across beautiful estates, everywhere from the rolling Cotswolds hills to the popular Mount Stewart rides in Co Down, Northern Ireland.

You’ll be raising while you ride, all while meeting new friends along the way.

To find a ride near you head over to www.bhs.org.uk/rideoutuk