Equestrian unites two great human passions; sport and the coexistence with horses. Our history with horses is ancient and goes back to the times when riding a horse could be a matter of life and death. Modernity has adapted our relationship with them. They stopped being just a means of transport and became protagonists of a sport.
Horseback riding, in addition to being a pleasurable exercise, is also a practice that is associated with a healthier life. Therefore, we have separated 3 benefits that riding can bring to your body and mind:
Stress Reduction
Did you know that 9 out of 10 people suffer from stress? According to the who (world health organization), stress is a global epidemic and already affects more than 90% of the world population. To help combat this syndrome, a good way out can be horse riding. This is because the practice of sports combined with contact with horses is a powerful tool that helps reduce blood pressure and decrease the production of cortisol (popularly known as the stress hormone).
Motor Coordination, Concentration, And Balance
Riding brings important gains in this regard, especially for children. Equestrianism stimulates changes in body posture, helps to gain balance and concentration. The results in motor coordination are so expressive that the law that regulates riding therapy (a therapeutic method that uses the horse in the rehabilitation and development of patients) was recently sanctioned. Regarding concentration, it is possible to see the effects of this change even in school activities.
Muscle Activation And Bone Maintenance
Equestrianism works with more than 12 muscle groups and involves a high caloric expenditure. A one-hour class can burn 200 to 250 calories, which helps to reduce sagging, in addition to providing fitness gains and body fat loss.
Equestrianism is a sport that can be practiced by people of different profiles and ages. It is common for parents and children to take advantage of Sunday to go horseback riding together, as well as to see grandson and grandfather riding together. Like any sport, equestrianism must be practiced in an appropriate place and under the supervision of qualified professionals.
Finally, there is one last benefit that only equestrianism can provide, the bond between a rider and his horse. From young riders to old ones, they all end up creating a relationship of companionship and complicity with our 4-legged partner. This relationship is so strong that research carried out has shown that horses are capable of recognizing and reacting to human facial expressions.
