The Physical and Mental Benefits of Horses

Horses are amazing creatures and their impact on humans extends far beyond their beauty. If you have ever had the opportunity to experience riding a horse it is surely a remarkable experience for both the rider and the horse.

There are also numerous benefits which include improved physical fitness, emotional well-being and having a sense of purpose.

The most obvious benefit of horseback riding is the physical aspect. Mounting a horse requires physical exertion and riding will activate the entire body. If you have the opportunity to experience horseback riding at River Ranch Texas Horse Park, you will have to use coordination, strength and balance. This will activate many muscle groups including your arms, legs, and your core. Riders can expect to burn between 250 and 400 calories per hour.

There is plenty to do around the ranch when caring for animals. This includes cleaning the facilities clean and maintaining throughout the year.

If you are helping around the stables, there is also plenty of responsibilities that will keep you on your toes.

Cleaning out stables, filling water buckets and carrying them around, grooming, feeding, transporting, and loading, repairing things and a lot more tasks. Caring for a horse is an extremely physical responsibility. While this may seem like a lot of work the benefits from a physical and emotional aspect outweigh the hard work.

The mental health aspects of caring for a horse and partaking in horseback riding activities are enormous. Science-backed studies have shown that riding increases mood and happiness through the release of happy chemicals. The bond one develops with a horse can give the rider an overall boost in their emotional well-being, which can lead to a happier life filled will a sense of completeness or fulfillment.

Because of these benefits this is why Equine therapy is recommended for those dealing with PTSD and other disorders or disabilities. It can prove much more effective or can be used in conjunction with an existing therapy plan to enhance the overall effect. Those who are able to experience this type of therapy will find pleasure and enjoyment. If they are caring for horses, this will also develop into an unbreakable bond and will teach life lessons that can be applied to life.

The best way to get started is by calling local horse charities and offering to assist. This will give you a hands-on opportunity and could eventually lead into a full-time job should that be the path you decide to take. There are plenty of ranches throughout the country that would gladly be happy to take some volunteers to help them with daily tasks and teach what it takes to run a ranch and care for animals such as horses efficiently.

If you are looking to experience the benefits of horseback riding and working with horses, you can call River Ranch and ask if there are any volunteering opportunities available. Someone will get back to you within a few days with an answer or a time and date you can stop by.