May 19, 2021 at 9:42 a.m.
Riding through life in more ways than one
By Kasi Greenwood-kgreenwood@thedodgevillechronicle.com
It has been a tough few months with losing dad, but getting back on the horse this week felt so peaceful. It has been a few years since I've done (I realized this especially since I had to use a stepping stool to get on the saddle, save your short jokes Pat Reilly!) it, but in many ways it felt like riding a bike-you never truly forget it.
Doing some research throughout the weekend, I found there are many benefits to riding horses. According to Kiowa County Press in Kiowa County, CO, horseback riding has many physical health benefits. It has been said that "While riding, one's core muscles, such as obliques and abdominals, engage to balance on the horse's back. In addition to the core, muscles in the back, chest, inner thighs, and pelvis are also strengthened so that the rider can maintain proper posture." So hey! I got a 15 minute workout in. Even better!
Pinehill Ranch in Little Rock Arkansas also pointed out many mental health benefits. Interaction with horses has been known to have therapeutic benefits, leading to the rise of a treatment called Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT).
The emotional benefits of therapeutic horseback riding have been known to directly help treat those suffering from ADD, anxiety, autism, depression, dementia, and other mental health conditions.
Life can get stressful, we've all been dealing with it in our own ways. In many ways that 15 minute ride helped-it helped me get out of my head, relax, enjoy nature, and to work on a story in a creative way.
It also made me realize that I need to get my season pass because I know how I might be spending some of my free time during this summer.
Thank you to Kristin Barr and Dave Johnson for your time this past weekend. It was a great conversation, and I know I'll be seeing you at Doby Stables again soon.
