When it comes to children’s development there is a wide range of activities that parents sign their children to.
However, we often see more unconventional activities like horseback riding being included in their lives just because it comes with many benefits.
Even if some people relate horse riding with horse racing, you don’t need to go to big races or know the trifecta meaning to ride a horse. Riding a horse casually, the same way you ride a bike, is a very relaxing and noncompetitive activity.
There is a great amount of responsibility involved with horse riding and apart from being a physical activity, horse riding can also be very beneficial for children’s mental health.
But how this fun activity can be used as therapy for children?
Well, since horse riding brings many benefits that will help children develop in the right way, each riding experience can be themed to children’s certain needs.
Contents
Ways Horse Riding can Be Beneficial for Children
Physical Activity
Horse riding is an exhausting sport that activates many muscles in the body. Even though the horse is doing the hard work, galloping around on uneven terrain and maintaining a balance requires a lot of effort from the rider.
This is why horse riding is perfect as a physical activity for children. The entire experience activates muscles that are not active through other sports allowing children to develop and gather strength from a young age.
Horse riding might be difficult for children with disabilities, but with a help of an adult, the process might activate some of their core muscles and possibly improve their physical state.
Speech Improvement
When it comes to horse riding, the last thing you’d think that will improve is your speech. However, studies have shown that horse riding is very beneficial for all five speech systems including respiration, articulation, phonation, resonance, and prosody.
Through the riding process children can improve their breathing and core muscle activation. All of this results in an improved ability to support the production of words, phrases, and connected speech.
Teaches Self-discipline and problem solving
One of the most common problems with children nowadays is self-discipline and problem-solving. However, horse riding is an activity that can promote focus and a calm temperament. The entire riding experience can increase a child’s patience and respect, which can be very beneficial for children.
Since horse riding is an activity where children will eventually be in control of a horse, it also promotes the ability to solve problems and handle real-life situations.
Nowadays, we often see children suffering from anxiety and depression, which is why horse riding can be used as a therapy for breaking out of the bubble. Horse riding is a social activity where a group of people gathers around in open spaces without technology involved and they enjoy their horse runs through nature.
Horse riding can be used as a therapy for children suffering from depression in a way that it will encourage them to be more social and interact with other people with similar interests. This will make them feel wanted and the children will feel like they belong there.
Additionally, they can build relationships and improve their social skills. Also, a break from their everyday life using smartphones and computers can be very beneficial for them.
Last but not least, being in control of an animal is a huge confidence booster, which promotes their well-being and mental health.
Improves their balance
One of the crucial benefits of horse riding is balance improvement. In order to ride a horse apart from having strength, you are required to keep your balance at all times. Balance is really important for children’s development, and it is a skill that will improve children’s motor abilities as well as proper body functioning.
Final Words
Horse riding is a great and most of all, fun experience for children that brings many benefits to physical and mental health. With that said, horse riding can be used as a therapy shaped to specific children’s needs, that can massively improve their progression over time.
