Rider Insider: One Reason to Ride

Riding horses is therapeutic. Spending time communicating with an animal helps to alleviate the pressures of daily life and has even been shown to provide benefits to riders with mental or emotional disabilities.

Riding horses is good exercise, despite what your non-horsey friends might think. A British Horse Society study showed that an hour of riding burned 360 calories, similar to a moderate bike ride of the same duration.

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Riding horses can be a great social outlet. Riders at boarding or lesson stables or who live in equestrian-friendly communities can often find like-minded people to ride and train with. Conversely, people with work and family demands often look forward to barn time as a chance to have quiet time with just their horse.

Riding provides a competitive outlet for those who are driven to win. From the glitz of western pleasure and polished perfection of hunters to adrenaline sports like three-day eventing and extreme cowboy races, competitive riders devote their days to the pursuit of a championship or a personal best.

Any rider can list off a dozen reasons why they love to ride and be around horses. The challenge would be whittling those myriad reasons down to one. For this month’s Rider Insider, we want you to do just that. If you had to describe the one primary reason why you ride or work with horses, what would it be? Click “Submit a Comment” below to share your thoughts. Some responses may be selected to be published in a future issue of Horse Illustrated!

Throughout 2013, Noble Equine will be sponsoring the Rider Insider column in Horse Illustrated with a prize for the selected featured response. If you’d like to be considered for a prize, make sure to include your contact info in the email field of the contact form (emails will not be publicly displayed.)

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Katie says:
May 1, 2013 at 1:14 pm
I ride for one reason and for one reason only: because my Lord blessed me with talented people to teach me, talented people to inspire me, amazing horses to capture my heart, and most of all He blessed me with a fierce passion to ride and train horses for His glory and for His glory alone. I ride because I love my God, and I love that He gave me a love for horses. I ride not because I think I’m a good rider, but because falling off and dusting off and getting down and dirty and becoming one with a half-ton beast is my passion that God gave me.
Caleigh says:
May 1, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I ride for the joy and thrill.Yes I've had some tumbles,but I got right back on and continued. The thrill of pulling a horse around big barrels and winning is awesome!
Shannon says:
May 2, 2013 at 7:25 am
It is hard for me to think of just one reason why I ride. Most of all I love feeling a surge of power underneath me every time I sit in the saddle. I love watching the flawless airy movements and how he/she effortlessly sores over a fence. I always think of how much my horse means to me, and how he has brought me closer to God. Riding is my passion. After every workout, I thank God I have this wonderful opportunity to work with these marvelous animals.
Hana says:
May 2, 2013 at 7:50 am
Mostly because of the thrilling adventures I get to experience while riding. To see a newborn fawn, or to peek into a robinsnest while out on a trail ride really brings the wonder of being on a horse to light. God has been good to me in giving me these priceless experiences.
Janisse says:
May 2, 2013 at 10:52 am
Therapy. I can think of many reasons of why I love horses and riding, but therapy is the biggest one. Without my horse I probably wouldn't be here. I am a Type 1 Diabetic and managing that disease, along with everyday life and responsibilities, is tough. My horse brings me comfort, relaxation and healing. Weather it's riding, grooming or just petting him, I know I can count on my horse to help me ease through problems, listen to me and he will always be my shoulder to cry on.
Alexandria says:
May 2, 2013 at 10:58 am
I ride because of my love for horses. I started riding when I was five and I fell in love with horses and ever since, it's my favorite hobby, sport, and therapy.
Philomena says:
May 2, 2013 at 8:52 pm
My one reason why I love to ride and work with horses is because they bring me a thrill I cannot describe or achieve from anything else. Just the thought of galloping on my mare after another friend on horseback fills me with joy. I thank God that He has given me the true appreciation for His magnificent animals, and love Him all the more for it!
Laura says:
May 3, 2013 at 11:50 pm
My one reason to ride and be around horses is the friendship or companionship they provide for me. I have some of the strongest friendships with horses. There's just something about a horse that draws me to them and makes me feel so much more comfortable with who I've become.
Dorothy Tyler says:
May 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm
The reason why I love horse riding is because of the horses of course!They're special,beautiful,and have a secret talent when you think about it
Lauren says:
May 5, 2013 at 11:31 am
The one reason I ride, is to feel like I'm part of something. You have to work with an animal that for the most part doesn't understand you. That moment when you and your horse are in sync is the best feeling in the world, and that's why I ride.