I’ve found more health benefits and joy in the stables than in any gym. I despise going horseback riding. Yes, you heard it right.
And believe me, this might sound blasphemous, especially coming from a physical therapist. You might even wonder if I should have my license revoked.
But, let me clarify – I don’t hate working out, exercising, staying fit, or being outdoors. My aversion is reserved solely for the dull, repetitive routines often associated with gym workouts.
So, what’s my solution? Well, it’s about getting creative. After years of treating patients who pledge to follow their prescribed physical therapy exercises but seldom do, I’ve learned a fundamental truth: if exercise doesn’t excite you, you won’t do it, and certainly not for the long haul.
Now, my chosen fitness regimen might come as a surprise, but it’s the one activity that keeps me engaged, even after a 20-year hiatus.
Back in the Saddle
Ever since my wild and carefree childhood, I’ve held an intense and enduring affection for horses.
There’s a profound connection, a love affair even, that I share with these majestic creatures. It’s not just about their appearance; it’s their scent, the sound of leather and buckles, the rhythmic cadence of their hooves on the ground, the gentle nose kisses, and the therapeutic act of grooming them.
However, life took me on a detour for about two decades. Marriage, a doctorate, residency, motherhood, and numerous job-related relocations led me away from the saddle.
During those years, I tried replacing horseback riding with other activities. Yoga, Pilates, running, triathlons, and spinning all had their moments in my fitness journey. While I enjoyed these pursuits and felt physically good doing them, something vital was missing.
In hindsight, I realize I was attempting to convince myself to love those activities. But as they say, the truth comes out eventually. Nothing could truly replace the void I felt until I found my way back to horseback riding at nearly 40 years young.
Achieving Effortless Riding Requires Dedication
For me, the barn is my sanctuary, where I can replenish my spirit by simply being there. I’d choose a day spent in the sweltering heat or bone-chilling cold, amidst the dirt and pungent smells, tending to stalls, cleaning water buckets, sweeping barn aisles, meticulously caring for my saddle and bridle, hauling rocks from pastures, and attending to my horse, over a day at the gym anytime.
Beyond the profound joy and the precious “me time” it provides (vital for a mom), horseback riding offers fitness advantages that often go unnoticed.
This becomes painfully clear if, like me, you take a 20-year hiatus from riding and then attempt a stroll around Target the day after your return to the saddle. Picture the grace of Bambi on ice.
Over the years, non-riders have casually claimed that riding is “easy” and that “you just sit there.” Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The finest riders make it appear effortless, displaying impeccable posture, unwavering hands, and legs.
They exude an aura of grace, strength, and perfect equilibrium. Wondering how they achieve this? It boils down to countless hours of practice, an abundance of time in the saddle, and an extraordinarily robust core.
In horseback riding, communication is established through subtle cues or aids. A slight weight shift, a gentle rein adjustment with a single finger, repositioning your leg by a mere centimeter behind the girth, or a nuanced seat shift — each conveys your intentions to the horse.
Now, visualize performing all these intricate maneuvers atop a moving creature, at varying speeds, while steering, navigating obstacles, maintaining balance, and, all the while, breathing naturally for hours on end.
Riding: A Comprehensive Approach to Fitness
Horseback riding embodies the best aspects of various sports, offering a holistic approach to fitness. It enhances strength, balance, coordination, flexibility (ever tried mounting a horse from the ground?), mental resilience, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, mental clarity, and trust.
This activity demands an astounding level of core strength, coupled with impressive cardiovascular endurance. Moreover, it has been scientifically demonstrated to enhance both static and dynamic balance.
Studies indicate that even healthy and older adults, who are not seasoned riders, witness improvements in their balance, coordination, and strength after engaging in riding programs. These enhancements can significantly reduce the risk of falls, which can be particularly serious for older individuals.
However, the benefits of equestrian activities extend beyond physical fitness to encompass mental well-being. Hippotherapy, which involves horses in rehabilitation settings, is instrumental in improving neuromotor, sensory, and cognitive outcomes.
Children with cerebral palsy, stroke survivors, individuals with psychiatric conditions, and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have all reported reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced balance and strength, and improved quality of life through hippotherapy.
Research has also demonstrated mood and concentration improvements in both adults and children with schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These advantages align with my personal experience on horseback. An hour of riding leaves me physically and mentally invigorated, surpassing the benefits I gain from a gym session.
I depart from the barn drenched in sweat, pleasantly fatigued, ravenously hungry, and most importantly, HAPPY. This is why I keep returning, day in and day out, regardless of the weather.
Discover the Fitness that Sparks Your Joy
Horses, with the profound connection they offer, possess an almost magical quality. There’s no better way to describe it. Sharon Ralls Lemon aptly stated, “The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.”
I wholeheartedly experience this sentiment when I’m in the saddle. While caring for a stall or riding, I find myself lost in thought. The entire experience is meditative and joyous, and I simply can’t get enough.
Consequently, I’ve grown stronger, happier, more patient, and considerably fitter over the past two years. My car contains hay, my nails are perpetually filled with dirt, my clothes bear traces of white horsehair, and my boots are caked in mud. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.