Horseback riding
24 Apr 2018
Winston Churchill once proclaimed that ‘no hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle’.
Churchill’s assertion is certainly true for seniors, for whom horseback riding may be a hugely fulfilling pastime with
some excellent health benefits. And contrary to popular belief, horse riding is accessible.
Health benefits
Any equestrienne will be quick to debunk the myth that ‘it’s the horse doing all the work’.
It might be your horse doing the cardio, but, horse riding is an amazing strength workout for your entire body, making it ideal for seniors looking for low resistance forms of exercise.
Its emphasis on core strength is particularly helpful with balance, as well as body awareness and coordination.
There are also significant emotional benefits to be gained from being around horses. Many people find riding a meditative form of exercise, and the act of focusing only on your horse can be a healthy and refreshing escape from the chaos of daily life. Furthermore, the mere act of being around horses can be particularly therapeutic. Notoriously responsive to human emotions, horses are often used as therapy animals and can be beneficial in quelling daily anxieties, as well mental illnesses.
Stables also have a strong sense of community, so it’s a great way to socialise.
Where to begin
The best place to start is looking at local riding schools.
Before you chose where to take lessons do your research. Like any sport, there are risks associated with horse riding and it’s best to make sure that you’re around professionals, even if you’ve ridden before.
It’s also worth taking a look at different riding schools in person to see how you feel about the different environments. Some of the bigger, busier stables don’t always have time to allow students to learn about caring for horses, which can be half the fun. It’s also difficult to learn to ride on an exhausted school horse that has been in classes all day.
Equally, be wary of extremely small riding schools. Some people claim to be instructors, but are really just people who own some horses and property, but aren’t necessarily qualified or experienced. They are good value for money, and they are probably great riders, but they usually don’t have the experience to be able to teach safely and effectively.
It's also worth asking how much experience they have teaching over-55s. Even within riding schools, some instructors will be better suited to your needs than others.
Things you’ll need:
- Down the line, it might be worth investing in a pair of jodhpurs, but when you’re first starting a pair of streamlined pants with some stretch will suffice.
- Most riding schools will have helmets you can rent or borrow, but you might like to purchase your own.
- Riding boots are also available on loan at some riding schools, but with pairs available at many price points, they are a worthwhile purchase. Runners, or other shoes, run the risk of getting caught in your stirrups, which can be dangerous.
®