Riding Just as Good For the Over-Forty Crowd as for Youth

From http://www.horseplaytherapeuticriding.org/

Good Things

• Strengthens weak, atrophied or unused muscles
• Relaxes tight, spastic and rigid muscles
• Normalizes muscle tone
• Increases flexibility
• Assists in acquiring balance and normal "righting" patterns
• Moves pelvis, hips and torso in a "normal" walking pattern
• Improves posture
• Increases blood/oxygen flow to all areas, including heart and brain
• Increases lung capacity, thereby improving speech
• Increases neural and proprioceptive input
• Improves fine and gross motor coordination
• Increases endorphin and seratonin levels in the brain

Cognitive Impact

• Improves body awareness and spatial relationships
• Improves hand/eye coordination
• Improves sensory integration skills
• Improves fine and gross motor planning and skills
• Improves decision making through natural consequences

Psychological Impact

• Improves self worth and self-esteem
• Improves relationships
• Improves independence
• Improves social awareness
• Reinforces proper social skills
• Improves "team" playing
• Provides empowerment