We’ve all seen the memes and heard the jokes. And although funny at times, the truth is that horse ownership isn’t for the faint of heart. Horses are time-consuming, expensive, injury-prone, and progress is never linear.
So, what is there to gain from horse ownership beyond heart palpitations, anxiety, and financial woes? (We’re joking…mostly.) Some of the benefits are often taken for granted, so we decided to dive into some of horse ownership’s mental and physical benefits so you can remind yourself of this when reviewing your next vet bill.
Horses Get You Outside
It may seem simple, but these days, people spend most of their time indoors. Social interactions have decreased due to many employers’ post-COVID work-from-home policies. Many people spend more and more time working in their homes, and most do their shopping online, leading to less and less time spent outside the home.
The convenience of modern society has led to people becoming more isolated from each other and nature. Horses, on the other hand, are, by their very nature, predominantly outdoor activities. Spending time outside has been linked to profound health benefits.
According to The Effects of Views of Nature on Autonomic Control, a 2012 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, exposure to sunlight and nature can help regulate the sympathetic nervous system in just five minutes – better than most prescription medications.
“This means that we can get an almost immediate benefit from stepping outside,” says Jodie Smith, a nurse practitioner at the Mayo Clinic. “And doing so on a recurrent basis may prevent cumulative effects from stress, which could mean a lower risk for chronic disease, illness, and mortality.”
According to Smith, researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that exposure to nature can be an effective coping strategy for those with chronic mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Horses Help You Focus On the Present
If there is one thing many equestrians can attest to, safety is critical when working around horses. One of the best ways to ensure horse safety is to focus on what is happening in front of you.
According to Elyssa Barbash, a psychologist writing for Psychology Today, practicing “mindfulness” (the art of living in the present) is helpful for patients dealing with depression or anxiety because it teaches self-awareness and self-fulfillment.
Barbish claims that research demonstrates that mindfulness helps lower cortisol levels in the body, a hormone associated with stress. Additionally, practicing mindfulness can increase activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and problem-solving. This increased activity leads to better emotional regulation and decreased feelings of anxiety.
Horses Help You Build Confidence
One of the early lessons for most riders involves learning to be the leader in the horse/human dynamic. A horse without a leader can be, at best, not very successful and at worst, even dangerous. It is necessary to be in charge of ensuring your safety and that the horse is responsive. Being a competent rider often involves being a confident rider.
Confidence can improve mental health. Barbara Markway, a psychologist who writes for Psychology Today, insists that confidence is linked to overall happiness. Specifically, confident individuals experience less fear and anxiety, are more motivated, exhibit greater resilience, have healthier relationships, and possess a stronger sense of their authentic selves.
Horses Help Establish Better Overall Posture
If you’ve ever competed in a horsemanship or equitation class, you know the importance of good posture. However, good posture extends beyond plus-ing maneuvers where the rider is judged.
Good posture in the saddle helps align your body so you can communicate more clearly with your horse. Aligning the head, spine, hips, and legs is necessary to balance your weight, provide proper cues, and feel your horse is appropriately balanced.
According to Harvard Medical School, good posture helps with an increased range of motion and reduction of spinal pain and stiffness. It also contributes to the lengthening of muscles to better support the skeleton as you age. Good posture has even been linked to better respiratory and digestive functions.
Horses Help Strengthen Muscles, Including Your Heart
While many spectators may be mistaken in believing that horseback riding is a passive activity where you can “sit there and do nothing,” equestrians know that actual horseback riding is a physically engaging activity. Anyone who has done a posting trot a couple of laps around the arena can vouch that horseback riding is a workout.
Equestrians have to engage their legs to hold on and cue their horse, and they must also engage their abdominal muscles to sit correctly in the saddle. While the horse may objectively be doing most of the work, riding is a team effort – especially at the highest levels of the sport.
Heart disease and obesity have been named as some of the leading causes of death in the United States. Exercising regularly improves blood flow and muscle tone and reduces heart disease and other conditions associated with sedentary lifestyles.
So, the next time your trainer tells you to drop your stirrups, perform a posting trot, or when you’re lugging that heavy show saddle around, remember: you are getting your cardio and strength training in for the day.
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Overall, horses may stress our lives, but the physical, mental, and emotional benefits outweigh the struggles. You know what they say: horses are cheaper than long-term therapy and medications – especially if you don’t keep a running tally of the bills.
