AHC WASHINGTON UPDATE AHC Seeks Information on Health Benefits of Riding.
There is a growing concern with childhood obesity in America. In the Spring President Obama established a Taskforce on Childhood Obesity to address the mounting problem of overweight 
children.
The AHC is looking for any documents, studies, articles, etc. that highlight the physical benefits of equestrian sports and recreational riding. Being able to document that riding is good exercise for children would be very helpful in making the case to the Task Force. If you have such information, please email them to the AHC.
The AHC has already submitted some comments to the Task Force proposing that riding be included in the scope of expanded opportunities for physical activities that the Task Force focuses on to increase physical activity among the young. (Copy attached.) In its comments, the AHC noted that:
Competing on horseback is a complex and demanding physical sport. Riders must develop muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance, and fine motor skills. Riding can also improve posture and cardiovascular health. Though there is often the perception that the horse is doing all the work, riding certainly requires athletic skills and activity from the rider that develops muscle and burns calories. Additionally, the daily care of a horse such as mucking out stalls, stacking hay, grooming, etc promotes physical fitness also. Riding for pleasure on a regular basis has many of the same benefits as competitive riding.
Today a great many individuals who are involved in equestrian activities are young people. In fact there are many equestrian organizations specifically geared toward youth like the United States Pony Club and the National High School Rodeo Association. Additionally, most equestrian organizations have youth programs like the United States Equestrian Federation’s “High School Equestrian Athlete” program or the American Quarter Horse Youth Association.
A Pennsylvania State 2006 study (Impact of Equine Activities on Youth Development) found that once children became involved in a youth horse program that 90.8% stayed involved for more than four years and 58% stayed involved for more than 8 years.
The AHC needs as much information as possible to continue making its case for the health benefits of riding. Please email bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org with any information regarding this issue.
