Is horseriding a good excersise to lose weight??

Question

I was just wondering.
Because I always seem to see rather large people riding horses...but then people always say its good excersise.... but it doesnt seem to be working for some people ???? :/

Answer 1

It's probably not going to lead to much weight loss since the horse is doing most of the work. It's mostly good for strengthening the muscles in your legs and arms. Really to lose weight they'd need to be doing some type of cardio.

Answer 2

It doesn't really help if you're only riding once a week, though it does build a bit of leg and arm muscle doing that. The weeks I'm out three-four days a week riding and working I can see a drop in weight just in a few days, but that's because I'm not just riding I'm working around the stable as well.

For some overweight riders it's a lifestyle choice, if you massively over eat no kind of exercise is going to do much for you.

Horses can carry a very large rider as long as they're good at moving with the horse and not getting in the way. I am on the heavy side(top heavy mostly) and it's easier for a horse to carry me, a decent enough but not particularly good rider, than a just started underweight beginner.

Answer 3

ummmm I know this is one of those ten foot pole questions, lol.

I had a boss who has a very large hunter rider: riding and swimming are the only 2 exercises which work every major muscle group in the body.

In the case of my former boss her weight issue was a lifestyle one (i.e. her diet was McDs) rather than riding horses not being good exercise.

If you only ride once a week you won't see results as quickly as someone who rides several times per week.

George Morris tends to piss many a person off b/c he's always picking at people for their weight. Eating disorders, I've heard are a concern in some show circles.

Ironically though it is easier for a horse to carry a heavier but competent rider who knows how to move with the horse than an inexperience lighter rider who rides like a sack of apples.

Like I said ten foot pole issue.

Answer 4

I think that horse riding is a great sport to keep you fit. In addition to running or a diet program, you could probably lose some weight, but not on riding alone. You don't really burn a whole lot of calories, but it works a lot of muscles, especially in your thighs and calves. Bareback riding is especially hard on your legs, and a lot of people that I know that ride bareback, besides myself, are very toned and nice looking.

My mom runs in addition to riding and has lost at least 10 pounds, but she also eats healthy and cuts out the sweets. So I wouldn't say it's a way to lost weight, but to stay fit. Hope that helps :)

Answer 5

Good Question

Horseback riding is good exercise, however, I always thought the horse is getting most of the exercise because he is doing the majority of the work.

If you want to lose weight in a hurry, I would choose another exercise though.

Answer 6

it is good exercise, its just not the same kind of excersie as going to the gym or going jogging. it is just working leg, thigh, and stomach muscles. nothing to dramatic, but it can and will get your legs in shape in enough time. i used to work on a guest ranch in wyoming and there would be days that i would ride 40 miles up the mountain ( i was on a horse 6 out of 7 days a week and from 6 in the morning til 8 at night) and after i left there, i had lost weight, just because my legs got in shape from all the riding that my muscles got more toned and fit, same with my abs ( leaning forward alot climbing up mountains and rocks makes you clinch your stomach alot ). again its more for just toning than actually loosing weight.

Answer 7

It depends on the equestrian sport being practiced. just hopping on a horse and going doesnt do much good. But if you are doing jumping, cross country, eventing, dressage, cutting, reining, or gaming, then you will most likely lose weight and become toned. Riding focuses on core muscles such as abs, lower back, upper legs, arms and shoulder area. Since doing dressage, i have become so toned in my stomach area and upper body. It is great, but takes alot of balance and skill in order to stay in tune with your horse's movement and also stay in the seat. It is worth it though, if you do it right!!!

Answer 8

Riding is great exercise!!! I am not talking about just trail riding and such....I used to do eventing and let me tell you when you are out there on the crosscountry course it is also a cardio workout. If you compare 30 minutes of galloping to 30 minutes of jogging you will see that you actually burn more calories doing the galloping over the jogging. Check for your self.

Answer 9

If you want a BRILLIANT form of excercising try kick boxing or boxing!! Kick boxing is fantastic for keeping fit (lol-though I'm not fit coz I stopped doing it) but, just the warm ups and warm downs are a work out in themselves, a lot of kilojoules are burned and you sleep heaps better coz ur so knackered from it!! I love horse-riding, but it's more for toning than weight loss.

Answer 10

No it isn't a good 1 for losing weight.. It's good for the leg muscles... Hopefully those people were on big enough horses to hold the weight with no future complications. Try martial arts, that is great exercises and you learn self defense. Good Luck

Answer 11

No, I don't think it is good way to lose weight. All you mainly would do is gain muscles in your legs but not lose wait. How could you when all your doing is sitting in the saddle. I feel sorry for those poor horse who have to carry such heavy people.