Calories Burned While Horseback Riding - The Ultimate Workout

Saddle Up for a Calorie-Torching Workout: Calories Burned While Horseback Riding

Horseback riding offers a fun, rewarding way to burn major calories while building a powerful bond with your equine partner. Unlike stationary gym workouts, activities in the saddle challenge your muscles dynamically while introducing vital cardiovascular exercise.

The Many Benefits of Riding

From arena lessons to trail adventures, time spent on horseback provides both physical and mental health perks:

• Builds core, leg, glute and upper body strength
• Bolsters balance, coordination and reaction times
• Enhances aerobic endurance and cardiovascular fitness
• Relieves stress through outdoor nature immersion
• Fosters confidence, leadership and responsibility

Calorie Expenditure Variations While Riding

The intensity level of your ride will determine exactly how many calories get torched during your equestrian workout. In general:

• Light intensity (walking): Burns about 100 calories in 30 minutes
• Moderate intensity (trotting): Burns around 150-200 calories in 30 minutes
• Vigorous intensity (cantering): Burns roughly 250-300 calories in 30 minutes

Factors That Increase Calories Burned

Several variables impact rate of calorie expenditure during your rides:

Pace of the Ride

Faster gaits like trotting and cantering burn more calories per minute than walking.

Terrain and Trail Conditions

Challenging trails with varied terrain recruit more muscles and energy.

Lessons vs Trail Rides

Frequent transitions between gaits and focused training in lessons maximize caloric burn.

Rider Weight and Effort

More rider mass and exertion required to post and move with the horse torches extra calories.

Calories Burned with Different Riding Styles

Type of riding makes a major impact on energy expended:

English Horseback Riding Calories Burned

• Trotting: Burns about 224 calories per hour
• Cantering: Burns around 298 calories per hour
• Jumping: Burns approximately 372 calories per hour

Western Horseback Riding Calories Burned

• Light riding: Burns roughly 140 calories per hour
• Faster riding: Burns about 210 calories per hour
• Fast trotting/loping: Burns around 280 calories per hour

Dressage Riding Calories Burned

• Training at walk: Burns around 150 calories per hour
• Training at trot: Burns approximately 200 calories per hour
• Advanced transitions: Burns roughly 300 calories per hour

Equipment Choices That Boost Calories Burned

Certain riding equipment and aids leverage extra energy:

• Saddles: Lighter saddles require more rider effort and balance.
• Stirrups: Riding without stirrups engages core and glutes more actively.
• Reins: Riding one-handed improves coordination and torso control.
• Terrain: Varied outdoor terrain like hills and mud challenges muscles.

Recovery After an Intense Ride

Fuel and refuel your body around riding sessions to maximize calorie burn after:

• Hydrate before, during and post-ride to replenish fluids.
• Consume protein pre-ride to maintain muscle stamina.
• Have carbs pre/post for energy and to help muscles refuel.
• Allow muscles adequate rest between intense rides.

Saddle Up and Feel Your Best

Beyond torching calories, nothing rivals the magical connection built between horse and human while riding. Find your perfect equine partner and explore all the rewards of this empowering sport.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.