Horseback Riding Research Paper
• Overall sense of wellbeing: Horseback riding is a great combination of cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening exercise. As we have discussed in previous articles, regular exercise imparts various psychological benefits.
• Increased self-confidence: The idea of being able to control an animal much larger than ourselves improves our self-confidence. Adding a new skill to our repertoire also increases our sense of self worth.
• Decreased stress: When you engage in horseback riding, you need to focus on the nuances of the entire ritual and process. This helps take your mind off mundane worries, which in turn relieves stress.
• Improved focus: For me, the most eye-opening aspects of horseback riding are the subtle details that are involved …show more content…
Horses require a great deal of care and attention. Riders find themselves bonding with the animals. They develop an interest in them and learn to care for them. They learn to put the needs of the horse first.
* Increased experiences.
The variety of experiences involved in riding are endless. From tacking and grooming to trail riding, from going to horse shows to learning the parts of a horse, the rider is constantly experiencing and growing. The horse also provides the rider with the ability to go places otherwise inaccessible due to the disability.
* Enjoyment.
There is no doubt about it, riding a horse is fun. Riders experience excitement and pleasure every time they come for a lesson.
(http://www.strides.org/social.html)
Physical Benefits
* Improved balance.
As the horse moves, the rider is constantly thrown off-balance, requiring that the rider's muscles contract and relax in an attempt to rebalance. This exercise reaches deep muscles not accessible in conventional physical therapy. The three-dimensional rhythmical movement of the horse is similar to the motion of walking, teaching rhythmical patterns to the muscles of the legs and trunk. By placing the rider in different positions on the horse (therapeutic vaulting), we can work different sets of muscles. Stopping and starting the horse, changing speed and changing direction increase the …show more content…
Relaxation techniques while riding also help to inhibit abnormal movement.
* Improved respiration and circulation.
Although riding is not normally considered a cardiovascular exercise, trotting and cantering do increase both respiration and circulation.
* Improved appetite and digestion.
Like all forms of exercise, riding stimulates the appetite. The digestive tract is also stimulated, increasing the efficiency of digestion.
* Sensory integration.
Riding stimulates the tactile senses both through touch and environmental stimuli. The vestibular system is also stimulated by the movement of the horse, changes in direction and speed. The olfactory system responds to the many smells involved in a stable and ranch environment. Vision is used in control of the horse. The many sounds of a ranch help to involve the auditory system. All of these senses work together and are integrated in the act of riding. In addition, proprioceptors ( receptors that give information from our muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints) are activated, resulting in improved proprioception.
• Increased self-confidence: The idea of being able to control an animal much larger than ourselves improves our self-confidence. Adding a new skill to our repertoire also increases our sense of self worth.
• Decreased stress: When you engage in horseback riding, you need to focus on the nuances of the entire ritual and process. This helps take your mind off mundane worries, which in turn relieves stress.
• Improved focus: For me, the most eye-opening aspects of horseback riding are the subtle details that are involved …show more content…
Horses require a great deal of care and attention. Riders find themselves bonding with the animals. They develop an interest in them and learn to care for them. They learn to put the needs of the horse first.
* Increased experiences.
The variety of experiences involved in riding are endless. From tacking and grooming to trail riding, from going to horse shows to learning the parts of a horse, the rider is constantly experiencing and growing. The horse also provides the rider with the ability to go places otherwise inaccessible due to the disability.
* Enjoyment.
There is no doubt about it, riding a horse is fun. Riders experience excitement and pleasure every time they come for a lesson.
(http://www.strides.org/social.html)
Physical Benefits
* Improved balance.
As the horse moves, the rider is constantly thrown off-balance, requiring that the rider's muscles contract and relax in an attempt to rebalance. This exercise reaches deep muscles not accessible in conventional physical therapy. The three-dimensional rhythmical movement of the horse is similar to the motion of walking, teaching rhythmical patterns to the muscles of the legs and trunk. By placing the rider in different positions on the horse (therapeutic vaulting), we can work different sets of muscles. Stopping and starting the horse, changing speed and changing direction increase the …show more content…
Relaxation techniques while riding also help to inhibit abnormal movement.
* Improved respiration and circulation.
Although riding is not normally considered a cardiovascular exercise, trotting and cantering do increase both respiration and circulation.
* Improved appetite and digestion.
Like all forms of exercise, riding stimulates the appetite. The digestive tract is also stimulated, increasing the efficiency of digestion.
* Sensory integration.
Riding stimulates the tactile senses both through touch and environmental stimuli. The vestibular system is also stimulated by the movement of the horse, changes in direction and speed. The olfactory system responds to the many smells involved in a stable and ranch environment. Vision is used in control of the horse. The many sounds of a ranch help to involve the auditory system. All of these senses work together and are integrated in the act of riding. In addition, proprioceptors ( receptors that give information from our muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints) are activated, resulting in improved proprioception.