Horse riding is a great way to be more active

Horse riding is great exercise for:

strengthening the back and legs
improving your posture
encouraging you to sit up straight and look ahead
Getting fresh air
pushing you out of your comfort zone
burning calories, especially if you ride fast

It's also very therapeutic - it's easy to forget about your daily worries when you're sitting on the back of a horse!

"All I pay my psychiatrist is
the cost of food and hay,

and he’ll listen to me any day.”

Author Unknown

Horses and ponies are fun to be around, and once you’ve mastered the walk, trot and canter, there are lots of holidays and activities for you to enjoy - opening your opportunities up to a new world. Horses can go where cars can't, which means you can head into areas other tourists won't see. And they provide a great way to make new friends, horse and human

Pony trekking: usually walking with the occasional trot
Riding holidays: faster work, cantering, galloping, possibly even jumping.
Endurance Riding
Unicorn Trails - Journeys on Horsebackall over the world
Responsible Travel have a number of horse riding & ranch holidays in their ethical travel directory
Visiting places of interest relating to horses. In France, for instance, there are the National Stud Farms to visit.
Enjoy equestrian displays, such as the Spanish Riding School of Vienna or the Cadre Noir You sit, watch and admire!
Horse experience days, which make for great gifts for horse lovers

For those with disabilities or special needs, Riding for the Disabled may be of interest. They offer horse riding or carriage driving to people with disabilites, giving you the opportunity to improve your health and wellbeing, and confidence. You can volunteer, too. They've been going for 40 years & aim to develop and support opportunities for achievement and therapy, while enabling opportunities for exercise and enjoyment. You can find an RDA branch near you on their website.

You can find a riding school to learn at by visiting the British Horse Society and finding one of their approved riding schools & instructors.

Tips for booking a ride

Be honest about your weight so that the school can be sure it has a horse for you.
Be honest about your experience. Two hours in the saddle does not make an experienced rider, more of a beginner.
Check to see what equipment is available for hire from the school - do they provide hard hats, for instance?
Wear appropriate clothing & footwear. Wear shorts, and you'll find your legs rub against the saddle - very uncomfrotable. A riding school will be able to advise you on footwear and hats
Think about what you want to do, whether you want to have a riding lesson or just a ride in the countryside or go on a riding holiday

TIP:

One of the great unknowns about riding horses is that you get a terrific view of other people’s gardens. These views can give you some great ideas for your own!

"A canter on a horse is a cure for every ill."

Benjamin Disraeli

Horses are very emotional animals. They do unpredictable things.

To progress and push back the boundaries, you will fall off. Falling off and getting back on again is a key lesson to learn in life. Be willing to come a cropper, and you’ll find a wonderful world open up to you.

Take courage in both hands, find it in your heart and go outside of your comfort zone. Fall off, welcome the experience - and get back on and have another go!