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August 6 ,
2010
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, pleas 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 bpende...@horsecouncil.org
with any information regarding this issue.
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Update
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