Equestrians why we do it

Waving flags, flapping coats, crackling tarps, swinging or dragging ropes and straps, flying balloons, opening umbrellas, cracking whips—that whole category of terrifying things that cause your horse to become airborne.

Foster agrees. A frightened horse can run over a human or kick out in defense. But we can share some of the basic concepts as described by our sources. Essentially, any good groundwork program should focus on:. More experienced horses might just need maintenance training or an occasional reminder. Retrain a delayed response on the ground before mounting. Want to just slap the saddle on for a quick ride? Hold your horses, because that might not be a great idea.

Exercises on the ground are there for that. Do we have a mental connection today—are we communicating effectively with each other? It just means you needs to go back to some fundamental groundwork exercises to get the horse where he needs to be. This to minute pre-ride session also helps riders check for soundness.

And groundwork will move the saddle into place, letting you readjust the girth correctly before mounting. Booth also has reservations about longeing.

Speed them up, slow them down. Longe them, but work with the mind at the same time. Groundwork can provide stimulating, beneficial exercise for their bodies and minds while reinforcing your connection with them. They need that activity. And you need to keep them busy. So groundwork is a great thing to do. Groundwork will not only keep their muscles healthy and bones strong but also keep them connected with their humans. And that, our sources say, comes in two steps.

First is recognizing that groundwork is an important part of equitation. And I find it every bit as rewarding as riding. Once we accept that we should be doing groundwork, then we have to actually learn to do it. So what can you do? Find a groundwork clinic, Booth says. Or take an online class if you can find one. Otherwise, try reading a book on the subject. You can take it out in the yard with you and read it while you work. I know that being involved with horses has led me to be the person I am today.

Horseback riding teaches responsibility to those who ride and even more so to those who take care of horses. Horse caretakers must know how to care for the horse during times of health and illness. Learning all about horse health, along with tack and farm care, involves a lot of time and responsibility in order to put that knowledge into practice every single day for the benefit of the horse.

In addition, horseback riding teaches patience, discipline, understanding, empathy, compassion, self-control, and dedication. Without these traits, the rider will not go far in their horsemanship studies.

Horseback riding is physically demanding and can help you stay in shape. In fact, it is now considered moderate-intensity exercise after the publication of a study commissioned by the British Horse Society BHS to look at the physical health, psychological, and well-being benefits of recreational riding. The study was done through the University of Brighton with help from Plumpton College.

To be considered moderate-intensity, researchers determined that riding must be done for at least half an hour or more, three times per week. In addition, activities associated with riding burns energy at a moderate intensity. Horseback riding can burn hundreds of calories, as does grooming and saddling.

Please note: Actual calories burned depends on body weight, workout intensity, conditioning level, and metabolism. Riders can develop better reflexes and a sense of balance and coordination as they use their entire body to guide and propel the horse forward. Riding also offers cardio benefits. Riding, lifting saddles onto the back of a horse, mucking stalls, moving hay bales, etc. Riders must learn to problem solve and make quick decisions from the back of the horse.

The unexpected can happen and riders must think quickly in the saddle to remain safe and in control. The study completed by the BHS concluded that horseback riding stimulated mainly positive psychological feelings.

After all, riding is not easy. And not everyone can do it. Becoming a skilled rider means that you have a skill many people do not. In addition to self confidence, riders may gain an increase in self-esteem and self-image.

Horses are social creatures just like humans. Being able to communicate and interact with an animal has already been shown to have a positive effect on people, as has been experienced by those involved with therapeutic riding programs. As a past volunteer for therapeutic riding programs, I have seen children who would not talk much with people. But when they were around horses, they opened up and communication was not a problem.

The children saw the therapy horse as their companion and confidante. If we look at the benefits that therapeutic riding has been shown to give to riders, improved interpersonal skills and socialization skills are on the list. E questrians know they are never alone in this hobby. Riders will socialize with their horses, each other, their riding instructors, employees at the barn, those at competitions, etc. The horse industry is a very social community full of people who will help each other and help care for other horses.

At every barn I have ever been, I developed friends and sometimes lifelong relationships. I have seen people help each other countless times during shows, trail rides, riding lessons, and just hanging out around the barn.

British Equestrian Strategy — Participation British Equestrian continues to drive participation in equestrian sport as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy, aiming to encourage more people to take up horse riding, driving, vaulting and volunteering.

International Success Our British team competes across a number of equestrian sports and has enjoyed great success on Olympic, Paralympic, World and European stages. About Us What we do.