A Barn Full of Amazing Health Perks from Horses
Can horses really improve a person’s well-being? People attest to this very experience. Over the years, experts have tossed out a barn full of health benefits associated with horses. We’re talking therapeutic effects of caring for and working with these majestic creatures.
So, if horses are good for us, let’s invest in horse stables and hay! Yep, investing in a new barn could be a better deal than medical bills, right? The adage “Horse people are stable people” may be true. Let’s look closer at 10 rewards equestrians can expect from caring for and working with horses.
1. Improved Physical Fitness
The fact that incurable horse will improve your physical fitness is no secret. Caring for the horse every day, you’ll be walking, mucking out the stables and moving hay. You’ll be lifting saddles and blankets and bringing in the sacks of feed. Grooming and cleaning also increase exercise levels.
All of that to get to riding. In the saddle you’ll develop core strength. You’ll be working your thighs and your buttocks, but you will also improve your posture and enhance flexibility.
Other physical health benefits come from the equestrian arena. Did you know an equine lifestyle supports your bone mass? Weight-bearing exercise helps with this. At the same time, your liver and digestive functions can be improved. Riding horses, even at a slow pace, stimulates these systems just like walking does.
2. Horses Improve Mental Health
Extra physical exercise mediates stress levels. It could be true that the greatest health benefits of working with horses comes from a deep psychological connection with animals. You will be caring for living beings. Horses are patient and grateful for your care.
3. Reduces Stress
Studies show interactions with horses reduce stress levels. Measurable decreases in blood pressure and stress hormones are on record. In one sense, working with horses takes a person far away from professional jobs, the news, and family tensions. So, it’s the time to let go and be.
4. Horses Improve Relationships
As a horse owner builds a satisfying relationship with the animal, they find others of like mind. This helps develop relationships and friendships and supplies social activities. Riders may start with lessons and clubs and move on to bigger events. Rewarding social opportunities fill the calendar here in Colorado.
5. Builds Self Confidence
Horse riding is independent sports where the writer becomes the teacher/trainer for the horse. This is empowering. The rider must show the horse certain behaviors and if the horse isn’t responding the rider must figure out effective disciplines. Both new horse owners and competitive performers develop these types of skills. When successful, horses become instruments for building self-confidence.
6. Stimulates Creative Problem Solving
Training a horse can be challenging and the trainer must come up with ways to solve problems. It takes ingenuity. There are no textbook answers. Rather, the equestrian must develop intuitive senses to overcome challenges. Weather and other changes add to the challenges.
7. Sportsmanship
Competitive riding teaches the equestrian to deal with psychology. In the process, riders learn grace and develop character. This will transfer to other parts of life.
8. Therapeutic for Disabilities
All the above goes a long way to help people with disabilities. Horses seems to stand in for whatever physical and psychological abilities are necessary. Equestrian activities help disabled individuals stay active and engaged – both with others and with their horses.
9. Outdoor Bond with Nature
Getting outside in the sunshine in nature promotes a sense of well-being. After the latest virus, we know sunshine helps the body make Vit D3. Fresh air helps with both mental and physical health. Even in inclement weather, the fresh air adds an invigorating aspect to the day. Nature elicits a sense of gratitude which is also healing.
10. Builds Character
Day in and day out, owning horses takes our energy, time, and money. Taking care of horses builds responsibility. Owners must be committed. Horses need to be fed and cleaned, kept healthy and safe, and exercised and interacted with. If horse owners cannot fulfill those responsibilities, then they need to find someone to help.
In addition, there is a definite timetable for daily activities. The owners will often find they must turn down other opportunities because the horses get priority.
Barn Builders Colorado
Call Sapphire Construction, Inc. at (303) 619-7213 and we’ll start on your barn plans. We’ll build you a stable and give it your personality. We’ll build your horse stables before your Thoroughbred or Palomino, or mini horse comes home.
MAR
2022
About the Author:
Allen Randa is a second generation Master Carpenter and Owner of Sapphire Construction Inc. Allen personally manages each project from beginning to end. That includes the first meeting, the estimate, the contract and architectural designs.