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The Benefits of Riding
There are many benefits of horse riding activities for
people with a disability. Some of the key benefits are: Physical,
Psychological,
Social
and Educational.
Physical Benefits
Improved Balance
As the horse moves, the rider is constantly thrown off
balance, requiring the rider’s muscles to contract and relax
in an attempt to re-balance. This exercising is similar to
physiotherapy, reaching the deep muscles, but making the
therapy more enjoyable and even fun! The three dimensional
rhythmic 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 riding), we can work different sets of
muscles. Stopping and starting the horse, changing speed and
changing direction increases the benefits.
Strengthened Muscles
Muscles are strengthened by the increased use involved in
riding. Even though riding is exercise, it is perceived as
enjoyment, and therefore the rider has increased tolerance and
motivation to lengthen the period of exercise.
Improved coordination, faster reflexes and better motor
planning
Riding a horse requires a great deal of coordination to get
the desired response from the horse. Since the horse provides
instant feedback to every action of the rider, it is easy to
know when you have given the correct cue. Repetition of the
patterned movements required in controlling a horse quickens
the reflexes and aids motor planning.
Stretching tight or spastic muscles
Sitting on a horse requires stretching of the adductor
muscles of the thighs. This is accomplished by pre-stretching
prior to mounting the horse, starting the rider on a narrow
horse and gradually working to wider and wider horses. Gravity
helps to stretch the leg muscles as the rider sits on the
horse without stirrups. Riding with stirrups helps to stretch
the Achilles tendon which is often tight in riders with cerebral palsey. Stomach and back muscles are stretched as
the rider is encouraged to maintain an upright position
against the movement of the horse. Arm and hand muscles are
stretched as part of the routine exercises on the horse and by
the act of holding the reins.
Decreased spasticity
Spasticity is reduced by the rhythmic motion and warmth of
the horse and may aid in relaxation, especially of the legs.
Sitting astride the horse helps to break the extensor spasms
of the lower limbs. Holding the reins helps to break the
flexor spasm patterns of the upper limbs. Fatigue helps to
decrease spasticity by producing relaxation.
Increased range of movement at the joints
As spasticity is reduced, range of motion increases. Range
of motion is also improved by the act of mounting and
dismounting, grooming and exercises during the lesson.
Reduction of abnormal movement patterns
If spasticity is reduced and range of movement increased,
it follows that abnormal movement will be inhibited.
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 the 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. The many sounds of an
outdoor, farm situation 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.
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Psychological Benefits
General sense of well being
Exercise in the fresh air, away from school, hospitals or
therapy rooms help to promote a sense of well being.
Increased interest on one’s own life
The excitement of riding and the experiences involved
stimulate the rider to speak and communicate about it.
Improved self confidence
Confidence is gained by mastering a skill normally
performed by able bodied people. The ability to control an
animal much larger and stronger than oneself is a great
confidence builder. Participating in events such as shows,
games days and riding displays add to the sense of
achievement.
Emotional control and self-discipline
The rider quickly learns self control as they realise the
potential consequences of inappropriate behaviour around
horses.
Increased interest in the outside world
For those confined by a disability the world can tend to
shrink in size. Riding increases interest in what is happening
around the rider, as the rider explores the world from
horseback. Even exercising becomes interesting when done on
the back of a horse.
Sense of achievement
By being able to master a skill considered difficult for
others, the rider gains a feeling of personal achievement.
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Social benefits
Friendship
Although riding can be a solitary activity, it is normally
performed in groups. Riders share a common love of horses and
a common experience of riding - a good foundation on which to
build a friendship.
Development of respect and a love for animals
Horses require a great deal of care and attention. Riders
find themselves bonding with the horse that they ride as they
learn to care for and trust them. They learn to put the horse
first.
Increasing experiences
The variety of experiences involved in riding are endless.
From tacking up and grooming to trail riding, from attending
horse shows to learning the parts of the horse, the rider is
constantly experiencing and growing. The horse also provides
the rider with the ability to go places perhaps otherwise
inaccessible, due to their disability.
Enjoyment
There is not doubt that riding a horse is fun. Riders
experience excitement and pleasure every time they come for a
lesson.
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Educational benefits
Remedial reading
Before one can be taught to read it is necessary to
recognise differences in shapes, sizes and even colours. These
can be easily taught on horseback as part of the games and
activities. There is less resistance to learning when it is
part of a riding lesson. Through the use of signs placed
around the arena, letters can be taught and reading of
individual words by word recognition can be learnt. Games
involving signs for ‘exit; ‘danger’, ‘stop’ etc, help to teach
important life skills involving reading.
Remedial maths
Counting is taught by counting the horse’s footsteps,
objects around the arena or even the horses ears and legs.
Number concepts are gained as the rider compares the number of
legs on their horses to their own legs. Addition or
subtraction is taught through games throwing numbered foam
dice, adding or subtracting the numbers and because the
concepts are taught through games, resistance to learning is
decreased.
Sequencing, patterning and motor planning
Something as simple as holding a pencil requires a great
deal of motor planning. Knowing which comes first in a series
of events is an important part of most activities. These and
other similar skills are taught on horseback through the use
of obstacle courses, pole bending, team drills and many other
games and activities.
Improved eye hand coordination
Eye/hand coordination is necessary for such skills as
writing. These skills are practised in the act of riding the
horse as well as in various activities and exercises.
Visual spatial perception
This includes our awareness of form and space and our
understanding relationships between forms in our environment.
Included in this are directionality (knowing right from left);
space perception (which allow us to differentiate between
items similar in shape but spatially different – eg ‘h’ versus
‘b’); form perception of depth (picking and object out from
its background); and visual sequential memory (such as
remembering symbols in a particular pattern or sequence). Both
reading and maths concepts involve spatial perception. Visual
spatial perception improves as a natural result of control of
the horse. Additional exercises are done on the horse to
increase ability in this area.
Differentiation
The rider learns to differentiate significant from less
significant stimuli in the environment. An improvement in this
area occurs as the rider learns to attend to their horse and
those things that may influence the horse as opposed to
attending to the environment in general.
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