Effect of equine activities on the physical and mental performance of the rider

Abstract

Equestrian riding requires continuous physical and cognitive adaptation to the horse’s movement. Variations in horse gait may affect cardiovascular demand, metabolic effort, stress, and concentration. Previous research identified the need for additional validation, more experimental trials, and further evaluation of cognitive performance. This study expands that work by comparing rider physiologic and mental responses during different equine gaits and experience levels of two cases o riders. Results tend to show that physiological demands rise with intensity of the equine activity, diagonal horses require more physical but less mental demands than lateral horses and that the greater the rider's experience, the less physical and mental effort they exert. An increase in subjects and horses is needed for further studies.