Strength, Stamina, Stimulation: Benefits to Trail Riding

Strength, Stamina, Stimulation: Benefits to Trail Riding

December 4, 2023

There are many benefits to the addition of trail riding to our comprehensive exercise program for our beloved Shea horses. Cross-training through trail rides can benefit the horse’s overall health, both physically and cognitively.

Benefits of trail riding

Increased responsiveness: Real-world challenges are presented while on trail, and horses increase responsiveness to aids (the four natural aids of voice, seat/weight, leg, and hand/rein form a literal language to communicate to the horse) in these different environments. This on-point responsiveness prepares our herd for the incredible work they do here at The Shea Center.

Better balance: Traveling up and down hills and on uneven terrain gives horses more ways to find their balance.

Strength: Building a horse’s topline (a group of muscles that cover the top of the horse’s back and neck) and improving overall stability are benefits that can be physically seen over time. While it is important to introduce hill work gradually and when appropriate for the equine’s fitness needs, this helps promote stretching over topline and assists in strengthening the horse’s hindquarters.

Stamina: While trail riding aids the muscular system, it can also help with overall cardiovascular and respiratory system health.

Stimulates the mind: Horses, like humans, can use a change of pace and scenery. New experiences promote mental stimulation and variability needed for our equine partners.

Confidence building: Overcoming new obstacles, terrain, and new environments helps strengthen the equine/rider partnership. It can also help with desensitization for our horses. Out on our trails, we may come across people, bikes, and wildlife (we’ve seen tarantulas, snakes, roadrunners, woodpeckers, egrets, coyotes, and bobcats… to name a few!). Exposing our horses to these various things helps them gain confidence.

Utilizing both arena and trail work, which complement each other, helps create the ultimate training program for our beloved herd.