·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ

Skip to main content
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Volunteer
·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ heart and torch logo
·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ
  • Close Menu

    Trending Search

    • find my cpr card
    • bls
    • ecard
    • acls
    • pals
  • ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ
  • Health Topics
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Ways to Give
  • About Us
  • Learn CPR
  • In Your Community
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Volunteer
  1. Home
  2. ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ
  3. Healthy Bond for Life - Pets
  4. Pet Owners
  5. Horses Have Heart
  6. Horseback Riding for Cardiovascular Health and Well-being

Horseback Riding for Cardiovascular Health and Well-being

Horseback riding for cardiovascular health and well-being

Harness the health benefits

Horse riding for cardiovascular health and well-being.

Spending time around animals forms a Healthy Bond for LifeTM. And horseback riding may promote your health and well-being. Check out all these reasons to get in the saddle!

Horse riding is a form of physical activity and may help with:

  • Cardiovascular health ‒ Horseback riding can be good aerobic exercise.

  • Core strength ‒ Maintaining good posture in the saddle may ignite your core muscles.

  • Muscle strength ‒ Riding requires strength, as does saddling a horse and carrying buckets of hay and water.

  • Burning calories ‒ Riding requires strength, as does saddling a horse and carrying buckets of hay and water.

  • Lowering blood pressure ‒ Exercise (such as horse riding) may lower your blood pressure — and so does spending time with animals.

  • Relaxing and well-being ‒ Riding and being out in nature may help melt away stress and find calm.

Horse sense: Recreational horseback riders can feel a sense of physical and emotional well-being and happiness from riding horses.

Rein in stress: More than 80% of riders claim that horseback riding created feelings of relaxation and happiness.

“Nothing is so good for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” This quote has been variously attributed to Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill, but it traces back further than that. Whoever said it was onto something!

Horses have heart: Animals bring out the best in us. And that’s especially true for horses. That’s why the ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ has launched Horses Have Heart, a nationwide community celebrating the love of horses for good health and well-being.

Learn more about Horses Have Heart and healthy bonds with other animals at heart.org/Pets.

 
Horse riding for cardiovascular health and well-being infographic

Harness the Health Benefits Infographic

View or print infographic (PDF)

Last Reviewed: Mar 12, 2025

Email Print

Healthy Bond for Life - Pets

Healthy Bond for Life - Pets
  • 16 Science-Backed Reasons Adopting a Dog Could Be Good for Your Heart
  • Best Friend Fridays Infographic
  • Horses Have Heart
    • 6 Health Benefits of Horses
    • Horse Have Heart Healthy Resource Center
    • Horseback Riding for Cardiovascular Health and Well-being
    • Horses Helped Her Get Healthier
  • Keeping Weight Off Your Pet Is Important
  • Move More with Your Pet

Related Articles

man running with pet dog on beach

Move More with Your Pet

Three woman workingout

Healthy For Good logo

Join Healthy for Goodâ„¢ and get tips, recipes, and inspiration to build healthy habits.

*All health/medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved by the ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ, based on scientific research and ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ guidelines. Find more information on our content editorial process.

·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ

National Center
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231

Customer Service
1-800-AHA-USA-1
1-800-242-8721

Contact Us

Hours
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT 
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
Closed on Sundays

Tax Identification Number
13-5613797

About Us

  • About the AHA/ASA
  • Our Impact
  • Annual Report
  • AHA Financial Information
  • International Programs
  • Latest Heart and Stroke News

Get Involved

  • Ways to Give
  • Advocate
  • Volunteer

Our Sites

  • ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ
  • More Sites
  • Privacy Policy
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Copyright Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Linking Policy
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Content Editorial Guidelines
  • Suppliers & Providers
  • State Fundraising Notices


©2025 ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
The ·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
*Red Dress ™ DHHS, Go Red ™ AHA ; National Wear Red Day® is a registered trademark.

×
·¬ÇÑÊÓÆµ logo

This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service.

Proceed