Riding is particularly good for improving balance, coordination and leg strength. It’s low impact so it’s not painful on the joints and it can be low intensity so it doesn’t feel exhausting. Riding is great for improving posture as it engages your core muscles as you maintain balance in the saddle. Your body adapts to the horse’s rhythmic movements, leading to overall stability and general feeling of well-being.
Horse riding combines physical movement with the calming presence of a horse and the mood boost of being outdoors in the fresh air. Riding gives a sense of freedom and a connection with nature, people and animals.
While riding itself doesn’t work your heart muscles much, all the work you do to care for your horse will.
All the lifting, carrying, forking and sweeping in between your rides are great for strength
Riding and being around horses and ponies are fantastic for mindfulness and wellbeing.
The cost of learning to ride varies up and down the county and riding in an urban setting can be more expensive than rural. You could pick up second hand kit, or borrow it. Riding in off peak times will also be cheaper. Group lessons would be less expensive than private lessons. Ultimately, as with any sport, it’s a decision on whether it’s worth the investment.
Learning to ride a horse is a safe activity because you will be led by highly experienced teachers with horses which are used to, and enjoy, having riders on their backs. You will be supplied with safety kit, so in the extremely unlikely event of a fall, you will be well protected.
As with any activity, the more you do it, the better at it and the safer you become.
If you have ridden all your life, you are never too old. You might need to adapt what you do and who you ride a little to keep comfortable, but you are never too old. Keeping your body strong and your balance tip top will increase your confidence to continue.
It can be hard to know where to start when trying to move more. Everyone begins at a different point, depending on how active they are, how easily they move, and how strong they feel.
To get started, choose the option that best matches what you usually do on an average day in each column below. Look at your daily activities, mobility, and strength to find a sensible place to begin. Then click on the ‘see results’ button to reveal where you should start.
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Perhaps you used to ride and or you enjoy watching horse racing or show jumping on the telly at home. If you love watching horses, you can still move a little while you enjoy the experience. Try marching on the spot, doing bicep curls, or sit-to-stand exercises after a race or event or even during the breaks. Every bit of movement helps! For more ideas, try these chair-based exercises.
If horse riding feels like too much right now, why not stay active while you watch the horses? Try some strength or balance exercises during or after races or events. You could also visit a local race course or pony club to enjoy the horses.
Perhaps it’s time to get on a horse to experience the benefits of being with animals in the fresh air. If you’re not ready, you could offer to help mucking out or grooming, which is a great way to get active and connect with the lifestyle.
Time to try a led walk or perhaps some lessons. If that’s too much right now, you could offer to walk alongside a horse and lead it on its journey out into the countryside or around a field.
Try lessons either in a group or one-to-one. Start slowly and build gradually. You may feel sore after the first session as you’ll be waking up those core and leg muscles. That’s normal and will go after a few days, ready for you to have another go!
Yes, Riding for the Disabled has been established for many years and they support nearly 40,000 people each year to enjoy the benefits of bringing people and horses together.
Guidance on where you can ride and what to consider or perhaps how you can volunteer.
The British Horse Society is the UK’s largest equestrian charity, promoting horse welfare, rider safety, education, and access to riding for all through advocacy, training, and community support.
This site has been put together by specialists in exercise medicine and supported and funded by Nuffield Health Charity. In collaboration with academic experts, specialists in behavioural change, medics across a wide spectrum of specialties, physiotherapists, nurses and most importantly, people living with the symptoms of long term conditions. Through our rigorous academic process we have carefully ensured that all the information on this website is trustworthy and evidence based.
The following organisations have contributed to and endorsed the content of this website.
