4 Key Benefits of Horseback Riding for Children

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding has long been a popular sport among children, and for good reasons. Not only is riding great exercise, but it also lets children work with and learn to care for animals. In addition, it can be a soothing or even therapeutic activity. For a child who is in need of more physical activity or needs a way to focus energy and attention productively, horseback riding lessons can be a great addition to a weekly routine.

If you own a horse farm and have the proper equine and livestock insurance, you might want to consider offering horseback riding lessons. Lessons will provide an excellent service to kids, but they will also ensure your animals are getting care and attention, too.

Benefits of Horseback Riding

Strength

Horseback riding is an excellent form of exercise because it requires a lot of physical strength, both on and off the horse. In addition to the exercise children will get while riding a horse, they will also get a workout in the form of carrying around equipment, and tacking and untacking their horses. When all aspects of horseback riding are combined, riding offers a nice, well-rounded workout.

Brain Development

One of the essential parts of learning to ride a horse is using commands to control the animal. Properly using these commands requires confidence in oneself, which is crucial to a child’s development. In addition, horseback riding allows a child to confront and learn to deal with big emotions, like fear. 

Responsibility

Riding a horse is a big responsibility. Not only does riding require a child to respect the animal they’re controlling, it also requires the child to care for the horse properly. Therefore, riding lessons should always include all aspects of proper horsemanship, including interacting with the animal and properly caring for it inside and outside the arena.

Coordination

There are a lot of moving parts involved in horseback riding. For example, trotting requires steering using the hands and arms, posting, which involves the legs and feet, and verbal commands. In addition, a rider must always be on the lookout for obstacles such as other riders, fallen branches, or animals. Learning these skills will help build coordination.

The thought of a small child caring for a horse might seem a bit scary for some parents, but it can be a great way to boost development. Providing well-rounded horseback riding lessons can help ease that concern, allowing it to be a fun and enjoyable activity.