Are you or your child horse crazy? Horseback riding has many psychological as well as physical benefits and is a wonderful, enjoyable activity. Although riders partner individually with a four-legged creature, they also generally ride with a friend or in a group. This common interest creates barn friendships that are unique and often times, cross-generational. This shared love also leads to increased knowledge. There is so much to learn about horses; new vocabulary, the equipment, their care, their psyche, and more.

Horseback riding encourages students to be responsible and to think critically. In addition, they learn to control their emotions in order to benefit themselves and the horse.

Riding involves the senses: hearing the rhythm of hoof beats and feeling the rhythm of the horse’s gaits so that your breathing and body movements match your horse.  At the barn you smell many scents, see what is around you, and coordinate your strength and balance on and off the horse. This integration of the senses inspires calm self-confidence, the ability to think quickly if needed, and improves concentration.

Physically, horseback riding increases core strength and coordination through the abdominal, back and pelvic muscles. Holding correct position insures increased muscle tone and strength as well as flexibility of the legs and joints. Riding helps to improve balance and coordination.