Learning about Calories Burned During Horseback Riding

Learning about Calories Burned During Horseback Riding
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How Many Calories Are Burned During Horseback Riding? The Answer May Surprise You!

Did you know that you can burn substantial calories by horseback riding? Well, it’s true! Horseback riding is a leisurely and fun way to burn calories, and it may surprise you just how many calories you can burn horseback riding. Calories burned vary depending on how fast and how long you are riding. Although it may appear to be a rather sedentary activity, horseback riding is actually a calorie burning activity that engages large muscle groups. So, if you think that if when you go horseback riding you are “just sitting”, know that your body is doing much more work than you may think. Also, you’ll find out that a seemingly easy act such as horseback riding can be demanding on the muscles, thus, burning some serious calories!

Burning Calories: You Can Decide How Hard You Want to Work

Calories burned during horseback riding can be broken down into three main groups, which are indicative of the type of movement made by the horse. Whether you are riding the horse at a walk, a trot, or a gallop will give you a better idea of just how many calories you are burning. Keep in mind that the amount of calories burned are based on a one-hour riding session. It goes without saying that the longer you ride, the more calories you will continue to burn.

Walking the Walk

The first group or calorie burning zone of horseback riding is based on a walk. What this means, is that you are riding the horse at a steady pace. Perhaps you are going on a trail ride or for a ride around a large farm. Either way, the horse remains at a fixed walking speed throughout the majority of the ride. Based on the walk, a person weighing between 140-160 pounds can expect to burn upwards of 180 calories per hour. For a person weighing between 180 -200 pounds, expect to burn anywhere from 200-220 calories per hour.

Speed Up, Please!

The second group is based on the trot. The horse may alternate between walking and trotting, a brisk run. If you’re wondering why you might burn more calories when the horse is doing all the work, think very carefully about what your body requires you to do in order to maintain balance whilst upon a running horse. Just sitting in the saddle requires effort from your abdominal muscles and from the biggest muscles in your body, which are found in your legs! You use your quadrilaterals and gluteus muscles (your butt) in conjunction with your powerhouse (your core) in order to keep yourself balanced upon a constantly moving and unstable position. Your body naturally wants to remain balanced, however, it’s important to keep a balanced posture when riding because you are in control of the horse and can bestow that control easier if you are sitting properly. During the trot, a person weighing between 140-160 pounds can expect to burn 450-460 calories per hour. A person weighing 180-200 pounds can burn anywhere between 550-565 calories per hour. What a difference!

Gallop Into Some Serious Weight Loss

Lastly, we look at amount of calories burned during horseback riding when engaged in a gallop. The horse’s speed progresses into what we would consider a fast run. Basically, the effects of the same muscle actions and groups apply here, but with more intensity. Your hamstrings might see a little more action if you slightly lift yourself off of the saddle in order to avoid bouncing around in a rising trot and gallop. Your muscles are constantly contracting and relaxing in order to keep you coordinated. Here’s the big numbers: A person weighing between 140-160 pounds can expect to burn upwards of 565 calories per hour. For a person weighing between 180 -200 pounds, expect to burn anywhere from 680-695 calories per hour. Who would’ve thought so many calories were burned during horseback riding?

After The Ride and Going the Extra Mile

The amount of calories burned during horseback riding varies slightly from person to person, but use the the ranges as a guideline to try to determine how many calories you worked off. If you’re feeling a little sore after your ride, it’s because you worked your largest muscle groups pretty hard. Stretch your legs after a ride to help alleviate any soreness later. If you’re feeling over ambitious or really want to show your horse how much you appreciated the workout, consider grooming and/or bathing the horse. Spend an hour brushing and cleaning, and you can burn an additional 400-500 calories!

Horse Rides offers information on how to get fit to ride a horse, including abdominal exercises as well as tips on how to stay comfortable while riding.

https://www.horserides.org/get-fit-horse-riding.html

Overview of the muscles engaged during horseback riding, accompanied by pictures and descriptions.

https://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/muscle_use_in_riding.html