3 Reasons why riding can be good for your mental health  

Equestrianism, as a sport, of course brings with it many sources of stress and challenge. Firstly, there’s the huge investment of time and money. Often certain aspects of riding can be anxiety inducing, in addition we worry about our equine partners constantly and in the time of social media, we have a resource perfectly designed to feed our insecurities and feelings of inadequacy literally just one click away. However, I firmly believe with the right approach and support riding can have a hugely beneficial effect on our mental wellbeing! Here’s three reasons why: 

1, Exercise is great for your mental health 

My main motivator for studying sports and exercise psychology was to help riders to perform at their best. However, in addition to learning how to work with athletes, I also learnt about the massive benefits of physical activity on mental health. And let’s face it whether it’s pushing wheelbarrows, lifting bales of hay or working hard in the school, one thing horse ownership offers is plenty of opportunities for exercise. 

Ultimately exercise helps mental health by boosting the brain’s production of endorphins which act as natural mood lifters. Physical activity also reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to anxiety and depression when elevated. So, exercise is basically natures antidepressant, kind of like Prozac but without the crappy side effects and with long term benefits.  

2, Social connections  

Horse ownership also provides opportunities to make social connections. If you are lucky enough to keep your horse on a yard with great people or you have found yourself a riding club who are encouraging and supportive, then these social networks can have an extremely beneficial impact on your mental health and wellbeing. 

Social connections aid mental health by providing emotional support, reducing feelings of loneliness, and fostering a sense of belonging. Social relationships can act as a buffer against stress, helping individuals cope more effectively with life’s challenges. So, find your people and help each other to thrive. 

3, Mindfulness is not just meditation 

Often when we think about mindfulness we think of sitting cross legged, eye closed and perhaps the addition of a mantra. However, mindfulness is so much more that meditation. Mindfulness is about being in the moment, quietening that irritating internal chatter. And what better time to be mindful than when spending time with your horse. Learning to be mindful can of course be extremely beneficial to performance, we see this in the use of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) in sports psychology and in the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow states. But being mindful also helps your mental wellbeing. It helps you stay present, in the moment, reducing the tendency to dwell on the past or worry about the future. Mindfulness can lower stress, decrease anxiety, it also enhances self-awareness and promotes a calmer, more balanced mindset. I encourage all riders to practice mindfulness and that doesn’t necessarily mean committing to lengthy meditation sessions, it can be something as simple as taking a few minutes out to pay attention to your breathing, just to bring you back to the now.