Horsing around is good for you!

New research from Japan shows that riding improves children’s ability to learn, writes CAROLYN HENDERSON. This reinforces something Feedmark customers will take for granted – that horses are good for us. Scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture have found that riding activates the sympathetic nervous system, so improving learning. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean an hour’s schooling will help us acquire new skills, but it does prove that the time, money and love we devote to our horses is worthwhile. It’s also the perfect comeback to the comments every horse owner will be familiar with. You know, the disbelief that we spend £65-plus every six weeks on shoes for a horse but wear our own until they fall to bits.   Then there’s the really annoying one; “You must be rich, because you’ve got a horse.” The best answer to that one is meant to be a joke: Q What’s the best way to make a small fortune in the horse world? A Start with a bigger one… Most of us make sacrifices to keep our horses, even if we don’t begrudge them. However, the fact that horses pay back everything we give them – whatever our age, way of life or experience – is recognised by researchers and therapists. A British Horse Society research project showed that recreational horse riding benefits physical and mental health. More than 80 per cent of those surveyed reported that riding boosted their happiness. Chartered psychologist and horse owner Dr Dorothy Heffernan isn’t surprised. She points to two ways in which bonding with horses may help. One is that it may stimulate production of the hormone oxytocin, sometimes known as the ‘cuddle hormone.’ The other is that it can help get us into the flow state, when we focus on interacting with our horse. When oxytocin is released in our brains, we feel comforted, which is why stroking a dog or cat lowers blood pressure and pulse rate. Little research has been done looking at horses, but it’s logical to assume that the same benefits apply. Ever had a bad day, felt too tired to ride, then got on your horse and felt much better for it?  That’s because exercise boosts levels of serotonin, a ‘feel good’ chemical in the brain that helps ward off depression. It can also improve fitness, stamina and flexibility and help in a weight loss programme. There are also those magical moments when you feel that you’re on the same wavelength as your horse and that nothing else matters. This is what scientists mean when they talk about being in a “state of flow.” It might happen during a riding session, or it could be that you’re watching him graze or grooming him and it seems as if nothing else matters. It’s good to know that science can prove what every horse lover knows. Time spent horsing around is precious, so make the most of it.