Categories / Outdoor & adventure
Horse Riding
Riding for leisure or sport.
How to start
Book a beginner lesson at a riding school, with a helmet and a calm horse and an instructor.
How to progress
Ride weekly, then learn to trot and canter.
What the evidence says
Evidence: limited
We found no trials of this particular activity. A 2025 review of equestrian activity looked at rider biomechanics and horse welfare rather than health outcomes.
Take care: Falls from horses can cause serious injury. Wear a hard hat and boots and ride with an instructor.
Sources
12-week starter plan
A weekly lesson.
Tick each week as you finish it; your ticks are saved on this device only. Repeat a week if it felt hard. Weeks 4, 8 and 12 hold steady so you can settle. This is a general plan, not medical advice.
Add reminders to your calendar
Pick your days and time. You will download a calendar file that adds 12 weeks of reminders to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar.
Calories and weekly minutes
Enter your details for a rough estimate. Based on about 5.5 METs (Typical effort for this activity (estimated)). Real figures vary by 20% or more between people.
Tips and common mistakes
Tips
- Wear a hard hat.
- Learn to mount safely.
- Stay relaxed.
Common mistakes
- Riding without a helmet.
- Gripping with hands.
- Skipping lessons.
Kit and cost
High Approximate UK prices.
- A riding hat (about £30 to £100)
- Boots with a heel
- Lessons (about £30 to £60)
Frequently asked questions
Is riding exercise?
It uses your legs and core, but intensity depends on the pace.
Is it safe?
There is a falling risk. Wear protection.
Is it expensive?
Lessons can be costly.
Good for: Balance Skill Mood & stress
Compare with similar options
| Horse Riding | Slacklining | Orienteering | Disc Golf | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical session | 60 min × 1/wk | 20 min × 2/wk | 90 min × 1/wk | 90 min × 1/wk |
| Effort | ●●○○○ | ●●○○○ | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ |
| Cost | High cost | Low cost | Low cost | Free |
| Equipment | Specialist kit | Basic kit | Basic kit | Basic kit |
| Impact | Low impact | Low impact | Medium impact | Low impact |
| Fitness needed | Any level | Any level | Some fitness | Any level |
| Evidence | limited | limited | limited | limited |