Horse jumping is a lot of fun!
If you’re like me, you may have tried other horse sports in the past, only to get discouraged and give up. Maybe you’ve been told that your horse just isn’t good enough at one thing or another to compete. Maybe you’ve been injured too many times. Maybe your horse is getting older, and becoming less enthusiastic about working hard all day.
Whatever the reason for your giving up on a sport, take heart: no matter what kind of horse you have and what your level of skill is, there’s a way for everyone to enjoy jumping! You can make it as competitive as you want it to be, or take a laid-back approach that’s more about building trust with your horse than anything else.
No matter how much competitiveness or laid-backness you bring to the ring, there are few better ways to spend time with your favorite equine partner than by going over some jumps together! And because this sport is so enjoyable for both the human rider and their four-legged companion alike, it makes sense that people who enjoy riding their horses will stick at it no matter how skilled they are.
It’s a great way to spend the day at the ranch or farm.
There are many great reasons to spend the day horseback riding, whether you’re at a ranch or on the farm. It’s one of the most fun ways to exercise and get outdoors! The fresh air is invigorating, and being out in the country gives you a chance to unplug from all your devices (which we know is good for you). In addition, it’s an opportunity for bonding with your pet—your horse will be happy to be out of its stall and running around. If you have some time in between jumps—or if your instructor says you can take your horse on a trail ride—what better way to relax than by taking a quiet stroll through nature?
It’s a great workout for you and your horse.
Beyond the stress-relief and cultural benefits of horse jumping, this sport is also a fantastic way to stay in shape. The constant motion required of both horse and rider turns what might look like a leisurely trip through the park into an intense workout. The rider needs to be agile enough to keep their balance while controlling the horse, while the horse needs to work hard to control its own movements. As you may have guessed, this means that both you and your mount have to be strong enough to exert proper control over one another’s movements.
While it doesn’t seem like it from an outside perspective, competing in a jumping contest is great for your cardiovascular health as well as your muscle tone. As you prepare for competitions (or even just train) with your horse, you improve more than just riding skills: both of you are working up a sweat!
You get to explore new paths on trails and courses.
Horse jumping is a wonderful way to explore new and exciting paths. You can learn new skills as you progress through each course, or even try out different horses. For those who prefer to stay home, your horse can be taught the same course you ride everyday, but if you want to travel and see the country with your horse, there are many opportunities for adventure in new places and meeting other people with similar interests.
You can make friends in classes or riding groups.
Another satisfying benefit of becoming a member at a local stable is that you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other riders. Whether it’s through group classes or not, you’ll be able to share ideas, tips, and tricks. You can discover ways to better take care of your horse and learn more about the sport in general. You may even make new friends! However, if you’re looking for some solid advice on how to approach your riding goals, it’s best to be open-minded—remember that everyone has their own style and preferences.
It’s good for the horse, too.
While horse jumping is an incredibly rewarding hobby for you, it’s also great for your horse as well. If you want to maximize the benefits for both of you, there are a few things to keep in mind on both your parts—that’s right, being a responsible, thoughtful horse owner is just as important as being a good trainer!
For starters, remember that training isn’t just about learning new tricks and honing skills; it’s also about staying healthy and building strength. Regular exercise keeps your horse fit, agile, and has all sorts of other health benefits. Running through obstacle courses can help prevent weight gain (and in some cases actually help your horse lose weight). It also helps decrease the odds of arthritis building up over time. With stronger muscles and tendons comes less chance of injury while out on the course as well!
Keeping these things in mind will make sure that you’re getting maximum enjoyment from participating in this fun activity with your animal friend.
You get to ride!
It’s not a coincidence that horse jumping is one of the most popular activities in the world—it offers many benefits, including allowing you to spend time with horses. “Horses are amazing creatures,” said horse-jumping enthusiast Tracy Bainsworth. “Riding them is fun and [they’re] as smart as many dogs.” Since riding your own horse isn’t always possible, beginning to learn the sport of horse jumping can help you get time in the saddle. “I joined my local club about a year ago and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned,” she said.
Even if you don’t have dreams of becoming an Olympian, learning how to ride a horse will allow you to bond with your animal and give him or her exercise at the same time. With all that exercise, both rider and horse will feel relaxed after each session!
Even though it sounds dangerous, horse jumping is really more about teamwork than skill.
It might seem like all the horse has to do is jump, but this is more a team effort than anything. The horse plays a part, but it’s the rider who’s in charge here. It’s their job to get the horse to the right jump and give them the right cues to avoid disaster. If they want to make it through with a clean ride, they have to know how to control their animal. In short: It’s all about teamwork!