Horseback Riding
There’s a photo I keep framed on our bedroom dresser of myself as a ten year old. It sits right next to a framed photo of my husband at about the same age. In his, he kneels proudly next to a tall, complex structure he created using some kind of little connecting bars. In mine, I’m sitting on the back of a horse. You can’t see my face very well because of the white plastic riding helmet, but I’m sitting as straight as can be and my hands confidently grip the reins.
You also can’t see that the girl in that photo came from a newly divorced family or that she was nervous to the point of feeling sick about starting at a new school after the summer. I’d always loved horses and finally, that year I’d managed to convince my mom to let me attend one of the weeklong summer horse camps put on by lesson stables. Maybe she felt bad about the divorce and that’s what convinced her to let me go, I don’t know, but what I do know is that every minute of my time there was heaven. I literally whistled while mucking out the stalls (stable talk for shoveling horse poop).
Like at any summer camp worth its salt, we went swimming in the pond and did crafts and game nights, but my favorite times were whenever we were with the horses. I felt calm and focused on horseback in a way I never did anywhere else. It was my responsibility to guide Crescent, the old chestnut gelding they’d paired me with, whenever I was riding him. At a time when almost everything in life felt out of my control, horseback riding was the one place I found where I was in control. At an age where it felt like my parents never listened to me, the horses almost always did. At the end of camp, I was awarded the “Camper of the Week” ribbon at the show for our parents. I couldn’t stop beaming in the photos they took. I’d found something I’d love for the rest of my life.
Riding and interacting with horses has been known to have psychological and therapeutic benefits for ages. Equine therapy dates back to the ancient Greeks in 500 BC, and Hippocrates wrote entire sections of content on the potential of horseback riding as a form of therapy! Horses often mirror what we are feeling so it’s important to remain calm and steady around them (Transwest Team, 2021). This can be a tremendous help in teaching young adults to better self regulate their emotions. And creating a bond with a horse through riding has been proven to boost confidence and self esteem, as well as lower stress levels (Transwest Team, 2021). If you have a natural love of animals and an interest in riding, this hobby might be the perfect fit!
Reference: The Transwest Team, 2021. Mental and emotional benefits of horseback riding. Transwest. Retrieved from https://www.transwest.com/horse-livestock-trailers/blog/mental-and-emotional-benefits-of-horseback-riding/.
Challenges/Points:
Horseback riding is a fantastic way to lower stress levels and build self confidence.
Using horses in therapy dates all the way back to 500 BC.
Don’t assume riding lessons are always expensive. Ask area barns if they would trade lessons for work around the place or see if there are any high school students who ride and are willing to offer lessons at a discounted rate.
Questions:
Have you ridden horseback before? What was it like for you?
How do you feel around horses?
If you are drawn to the idea of horseback riding, what about it appeals to you the most?
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