Horseback Riding as Cardio

[georgia_outdoors]

I've seen many websites that claim horseback riding is excellent exercise. Do you find this to be the case? It doesn't seem to me that riding a horse would burn that many calories, but I'm sure looks could be deceiving. Do you think horseback riding is a good way to stay fit?

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


I think horseback riding is a form of exercise. Even horseback "walking" has its benefits...called hippo therapy...hippo being the greek word for horse. The stride of the horse can be of great help to people with certain disabilities, especially children, and is being used more and more for same.

[ppine]

Riding is not sitting when done correctly. Riding a long trot for miles is a ton of exercise. So is a 20 mile day. Along with horses comes hoisting stuff like saddles, 100 pound bales of hay and feed sacks. Not mention cleaning up after them. Horses get people outside. Serious enthusiast are usually in pretty good shape.

There is a reason tourists get so sore from even short rides.

It is really only cardio exercise when done in a hurry like team penning, cutting, or endurance rides.

Most people "exercise" in a gym for an hour or so. They are sprinters. A long day horseback can be 8-10 hours which requires stamina.

[hiking_and_biking]

I've seen info both ways. Some websites say it is good cardio while others say it's not. Personally, I don't think it's cardio unless it gets your heart rate up. If you get on a horse and ride and subsequently find yourself out of breath, then it's been a good cardio workout. Otherwise, I think it's really more of a strength workout, building up the muscles in your legs.

[DMan]

If your horse is in a canter, you can often get a good cardio workout from matching his rhythm. But I find riding is more of a strengthing activity especially for the legs.

[ppine]

DMan,

A lope is easy on you, but hard on the horse. A trot is just the opposite. That's why people who cowboy for a living trot everywhere.

[dinosaur]

I agree with ppine. The harder you work the horse, the harder you work yourself.

[firedancer]

Originally Posted by hiking_and_biking

I've seen info both ways. Some websites say it is good cardio while others say it's not. Personally, I don't think it's cardio unless it gets your heart rate up. If you get on a horse and ride and subsequently find yourself out of breath, then it's been a good cardio workout. Otherwise, I think it's really more of a strength workout, building up the muscles in your legs.

I agree, seems like more of a muscular workout than a cardio workout. I only get out of breath getting on or off a horse!