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Experiencing nature from horseback is truly something special. Some riders dedicate themselves to outdoor riding on a daily basis, while others use it as a supplement to other forms of equestrian training. Fortunately, many top riders have also recognized the importance of allowing their horses to move beyond the four corners of the riding arena. The importance of letting their horse be a horse in the natural environment it was made to move in. Here, you’ll find even more reasons why riding in nature is beneficial.
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But perhaps you're still a bit skeptical? How can a dressage horse benefit as much from a ride in the forest as from practicing its exercises at home in the arena? How can a jumping horse improve its ability to clear large obstacles simply by strolling through nature now and then? The answer lies in a completely natural explanation - quite literally.
As mentioned, horses are designed to live in nature. They are built to move across varying types of terrain, endure changing weather conditions, and constantly experience and sense new things. Since the majority of horses today are no longer wild but used as sport or hobby animals, they naturally aren't exposed to the same conditions as they once were.
This means that even if a horse is trained daily on, for example, a riding arena or oval track and is in good shape, certain parts of its body never become stronger. In other words, the same muscles are repeatedly used when a horse trains on the same surface day after day, leaving other muscle groups neglected. This imbalance can quickly lead to injuries if the horse makes an awkward movement in the paddock or suddenly has to navigate snow or mud—common challenges in the Danish climate.
A horse may have a strong topline or well-developed muscles in specific areas, but there will always be weaker spots—and injuries often appear in those areas. Taking your horse out into the terrain helps strengthen the muscle groups, tendons, and bones that aren’t sufficiently activated during regular training.
In addition, it’s healthy for the horse to vary how it moves. As a showjumper, you might lower the fences, and as a dressage rider, you might focus on mixing up the exercises—but that’s not enough. The horse will still primarily rely on the muscles it’s accustomed to using and put strain on the same parts of its body as usual. Over time, this can lead to injuries caused by overexertion.
However, this doesn’t mean you should give your horse complete rest to relieve it. On the contrary. Just as most horses benefit from moving freely in a paddock when they’re not being ridden, a “rest day” can also consist of a ride out in the terrain. It’s all about doing something entirely different from the horse’s usual routine. This gives the muscles, joints, and bones that are typically under strain a chance to rest.
When it comes to preventing injuries, there are therefore two significant benefits to regularly taking your horse out into nature: it strengthens the weaker areas of the horse’s body and relieves the stronger ones—helping ensure they stay strong.
Because nature is filled with small physical challenges, a ride in the great outdoors also helps improve your horse’s coordination. Suddenly, it needs to keep its eyes and ears open and pay attention to where it steps, all while remaining attuned to its rider. That’s no small task.
So, don’t be afraid to ride in areas with branches, leaves, or even a few cut tree stumps—as long as you approach it with care and common sense. Walking or trotting slowly through uneven terrain is both a physical and mental workout for your horse and can significantly enhance its ability to judge distances and coordinate its movements. How should it step to avoid that hole? How high must it lift its legs to clear that tree stump?
As long as you allow the horse to tackle nature’s small obstacles at its own pace and give it plenty of rein, things should go smoothly. This type of activity can even improve its balance and flexibility. As a rider, you shouldn’t be afraid to trust your horse and let it figure things out on its own—because that’s how it gets stronger.
Last but certainly not least, riding in nature provides your horse with a powerful and highly beneficial boost of motivation. Imagine spending several days confined to your own property and then finally getting the chance to go out and see more of the world. Imagine someone telling you that you’ve worked really hard and done a great job over the past few days, so now it’s time to have some fun, experience something different, and feel something new. That’s exactly what your horse experiences.
Riding in nature doesn’t just benefit your horse physically—it’s also an incredible mental gift. Most riders will immediately notice how their horse takes a bit more contact on the reins and picks up the pace—not to mention the ears, which almost always stay perked forward the entire ride. It’s a wonderful feeling to sense how your best friend gains renewed energy. That feeling alone can also boost the rider’s motivation.
Moreover, allowing yourself to break away from routine and try something different can have a profoundly positive effect on your mindset. A trail ride isn’t about cutting corners or taking the easy way out. It’s not “just a ride” but a natural and essential part of your training that few can afford to skip. Riding in nature can reignite your enthusiasm for training and give you the satisfaction of doing something different—something fun.
A regular adventure in the great outdoors can simultaneously strengthen and rejuvenate both horse and rider, physically and mentally. Still skeptical? There’s only one thing to do: give it a try. Start riding in nature.
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