Scandia Riders Saddle Club - Elbie Marketing

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF HORSEBACK RIDING
Submitted by Laura Kemmis
What you may not realize is that there are many health benefits associated with horseback riding. Not only is it a very
enjoyable activity, but it also keeps you incredibly fit. In fact, horseback riding is one of the best types of exercise that you
can take part in. It exercises every muscle in the body and the best part is – you don’t even realize that you are exercising!
How many hours do you have to spend in the gym to look and feel good? It takes just a few hours of horseback riding a
week to make a difference to your health. It is thought that just half an hour of riding can burn the same amount of calories
as a 30 minute jogging session. It is the way that the horse actually moves that gives you a workout. Most people assume
that the rider doesn’t actually do anything but sit on top of the horse. This couldn’t be further from the truth. After your first
horseback riding session you will certainly feel the work that your muscles have had to do!
Still thinking about the exercise benefits of horseback riding, you will find that it is quite gentle on the joints. When you take
part in running, cycling or swimming the joints of the knees can suffer quite a lot. Horseback riding on the other hand is
better for the joints and therefore you will be exercising in a healthier way.
The benefits aren’t just physical however. You will also feel better mentally too. Being out in the fresh air is a definite
advantage. Benefitting from regular fresh country air is a great way to beat depression and lower your stress levels. If you
have had a particularly stressful day, there is no greater way to get rid of it by going out on a ride. You can literally gallop the
stress away!
The bond that you develop with the horse can also be important. Having trust between a horse and rider can be a great
feeling. As you are riding there is also a great sense of freedom too. You can take in the sights and go wherever you want to
go. No other sport is as free and relaxing as horseback riding.
Overall physically horseback riding is one of the best forms of exercise available. It also helps to boost your cardiovascular
system and it burns a high number of calories. The best thing about it is that you do not see the sport as a form of exercise.
It is highly enjoyable and that is why many women do take up horseback riding.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR THRUSH
- Submitted by Stephanie Schuster –
If your horse has thrush or stinky hooves, here's a remedy you may want to try as an alternative to conventional treatments
like Thrush Buster or Nitrofurazone Ointment.
Try U.S. Vet Go-Dry brand of Dry Cow Mastitis treatment found in the cattle aisle at Fleet Farm. It comes in a tube like
dewormer and is applied to the frog area. I was given this secret from a farrier, who also recommends working a horse with
Thrush in sand while trying to keep the frog area as clean as possible. He said sand itself flushes out the frog. I wasn’t able
to buy just one application of the product. It comes in a box of 18.
When I used this product it didn’t irritate the feet and actually worked. In the past I tried conventional products as
recommended by my veterinarian, and they didn't cure the problem. I just wanted to share.
Now....if someone would recommend a great fly/mosquito spray I’d be good.
Thrush is the stinky black gooey material one might see when cleaning out the hoof. Use this advice at your own risk. It
should not be construed as veterinarian advice.
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