Horse riding is the ultimate summer holiday activity as it’s the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. From breathtaking sunset strolls to hidden forest paths, it’s time to swap the pool for the paddock and try your hand at horse riding this summer.
6 Reasons to Go Horse Riding in Summer
Here are six reasons why the summer months are the ideal time to saddle up:
1. Immersive Experiences in Nature
Horses can take you where cars and bikes cannot go. From scenic bridle paths to hidden woodland paths, horse riding is the ultimate all-terrain adventure, enabling you to take in the sights from an impressive vantage point.
2. The Perfect Weather
The warm days and dry skies of summer make horse riding the ideal seasonal match, with plenty of sunshine, fresh air and vitamin D.
During the peak midday heat, you can head to the cool, dappled shade of the woodland, tree canopies providing a welcome respite for you and your horse. And when you pick up the pace, trotting or galloping through the open air generates a refreshing breeze.
Even better, the longer days are the perfect opportunity for a sunset trek, an unforgettable excursion that’s sure to be a summer highlight.
3. Fun and Effective Exercise
Horse riding is a powerful full-body workout. As your body is constantly adapting to the movement of the animal, it requires a significant amount of strength, stamina and coordination.
Here is how horse riding works your body:
- Core Strength: Balancing on a moving horse requires your body to make micro-adjustments every second. This engages your deep core, strengthening your abdominal muscles and lower back.
- Leg Toning: Controlling a horse relies heavily on your lower body. Hugging the saddle and guiding your mount’s movement gives your inner thighs, glutes and calves an intense toning workout.
- Cardio: Beyond muscle strength, trotting and cantering elevate your heart rate for bonus cardio benefits, naturally opening up your chest.
- Coordination: For children, pony riding requires them to use their whole body at once. This can help to accelerate improvements in their motor skills development, spatial awareness and balance.
4. Mental and Digital Detox
Horse riding requires complete focus, encouraging people to step away from screens and digital distractions. This mindfulness keeps you entirely present in the moment, helping to silence everything else that’s happening and provide breathing space from mobile devices.
5. Accessible to Every Skill Level
One of the things about horse riding that makes it such a good summer holiday activity is its universal accessibility. Effortlessly bridging generational gaps, children, parents and grandparents are all able to do a trail together, sharing the same unforgettable adventure.
Horse-riding also caters to every background, with beginners matched up to gentle, calm, cooperative horses and seasoned equestrians provided the opportunity to develop their existing skills with more complex trail terrain.
6. Forms Social Connections
Horse riding is a very social activity. Whether bonding with your horse or talking to fellow riders, it naturally fosters meaningful relationships and community.
For younger people, interacting with other riders and professional instructors could help them to build confidence, a sense of belonging, and develop their social skills. Even caring for the horse through grooming and treats helps them to build a mutual sense of trust and forms a rewarding emotional connection with the animal.
PGL Pony Camps: A Summer of Fun
At PGL, we have horse riding summer camps available to children of all levels:
- Beginner Pony Camp (8-13 years): Created to build foundational skills, confidence and a love for riding in a gentle, supportive environment.
- Pony Improver Camp (11-16 years): Perfect for older, more experienced children to develop their technique and take on new challenges.
With professional instructors always on hand, our horse riding camps are designed to support the development of young riders, transforming them into confident, capable, well-rounded equestrians.
Don’t let this summer adventure gallop away! Get in touch with our adventure team and secure your child’s place on a PGL pony camp to give them memories that last a lifetime.
