How does horse-riding benefit you if you do it regulary?

Question

like to our phsyical body. strengthen our muscle?

Answer 1

it strengthens our legs for one, and my arms are more toned from it. also mentally it toughens you so that you don't give up.

Answer 2

Primarily, leg muscles.  I guarantee that I have stronger leg muscles than half the professional athletes in the country.

But there's muscles all over your body that you don't realize you're using.  You use your stomach muscles and back muscles to keep yourself still.  Your arm muscles to slow the horse.

You develop excellent balance and posture.  And you develop an awareness of what every part of your body is doing at every moment.

My horse certainly does a lot of work and I'm not discrediting her strength and athleticism.  however I'd like to see a beginner get on and "let the horse do all the work"...  I'll bet that person falls off within the first 5 minutes.

Answer 3

I'm sure that there is some physical benefit. Breathing, some muscle tone, sunlight...things like that. Not that much, I'm afraid, after all the horse is actually doing the work.

Answer 4

I would just like to start by saying that the above poster is incredibly wrong.

I ride once a week, which is not as regularly as I would like to, but I lack the finances to ride any more often. Riding increases your muscle mass and tone, coordination, general strength, thought processing (constantly thinking of how to control the situation) & your ability to communicate without words. The only thing that I would say riding lacks is a lot of cardiovascular work.

But don't tell me that it's not hard work, especially if you haven't tried it.