Picked up a few pounds since Thanksgiving? Expecting and dreading picking up a few more over Christmas and New Years? Tired of sucking it in every time you zip up? Yeah, me too! Forget about walking 20 minutes a day, getting on the treadmill or killing yourself with aerobic exercises. Ride a horse!
Riding lessons are a wonderful way to shed a few extra pounds. You will have fun, learn better balance, feel great, build muscle all while you are loosing weight and you won’t even realize it. I lost 15 pounds this summer riding horses. I sat for years on my, well you know, and gained more pounds than I cared to. I picked up running and ran a few half-marathons for a few years and lost weight just to have it come right back. I bought an elliptical machine and still have yet to use it religiously in order to keep my weight down. Then I picked up riding. I loved it, loved the horses, loved being outside, loved the activity and lost pounds….and I am talking serious pounds. Pounds off my stomach, thighs, hips, back. All where it counts for a female! Guys, you will lose weight too. Feel better and treat yourself right. There is nothing like learning a new skill to make you feel exhilarated and confident.
What style of riding do you pick up? Depends on what your interests are. Trail riding is relaxing and fun and can be ridden in any discipline; western or english. The basic skills are the same. Most people just starting out are more comfortable in a western saddle or endurance saddle. But don’t stop there, learn hunt seat and increase your skills. Equitation is another step up, as in dressage, saddle seat. You decide what makes you the most comfortable and where you are having the most fun. Exercise should be fun, otherwise, we just won’t keep up with it.
Need a lesson barn? A great place to look is NewHorse.com where you can search by state and zip code to find your nearest stables. Have fun, go out and shed those holiday pounds!