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How many calories do we burn horse riding?
Everything you need to know about horse riding
Do you know how many calories you can burn when horse riding for 30 minutes or 1 hour? By entering your overall activity time and your weight in kilos, you can get an idea of how many calories you burn horse riding.
Horse riding: A few examples of energy expenditure depending on weight and activity time.
The table below shows how many calories you can burn riding a horse!
Horse riding
(general)
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 42 | 84 | 168 |
| 50 kg | 53 | 105 | 210 |
| 60 kg | 63 | 126 | 252 |
| 70 kg | 74 | 147 | 294 |
| 80 kg | 84 | 168 | 336 |
| 90 kg | 95 | 189 | 378 |
Horse riding
(trot and canter)
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 63 | 126 | 252 |
| 50 kg | 79 | 158 | 315 |
| 60 kg | 95 | 189 | 378 |
| 70 kg | 110 | 221 | 441 |
| 80 kg | 126 | 252 | 504 |
| 90 kg | 142 | 284 | 567 |
See detailed calculations and metabolic equivalent for horse riding
Everything you need to know about horse riding
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORSE RIDING
Riding is more than just a sport. For those who practice it, it’s above all a true passion, and often an incredible bond between rider and mount. It’s not for nothing that horse-riding is widely used by people with disabilities, enabling them to develop balance, communication and fusion with the horse.
Although a walk at walking pace has little impact in terms of energy expenditure, the intensity of the activity performed will have a major influence on the equation. It’s obvious that a rider doing a cross-country course in a competition will see his or her calorie expenditure counter rise more rapidly than a simple walk in the forest.
Horse-riding is an ancient and fascinating practice that offers numerous physical and mental benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, horseback riding can be a great way to keep fit and develop a unique relationship with horses.
Some benefits of horse riding:
- Muscle strengthening: Horseback riding involves many muscle groups, including leg, glutes, abdominal and back muscles. Maintaining balance on the horse and mastering movements help strengthen muscles and tone the body.
- Improving posture and balance: Riding a horse requires good posture and balance. This activity can help improve core stability, coordination and proprioception, which are essential in everyday life.
- Cardio and endurance: Riding can be an intense physical activity, especially when training or riding at a fast pace. Riding, trotting or galloping can stimulate the cardiovascular system, increase endurance and improve respiratory capacity.
- Stress management: Riding can be a soothing and relaxing activity. The connection with the horse, nature and the outdoor environment can help reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve emotional well-being.
- Self-confidence and discipline: Riding requires self-confidence, discipline and patience. Progress in this activity can boost self-esteem, develop self-discipline and promote self-control.
- Improving coordination and communication: Riding requires precise coordination of aids (hands, legs, voice) to communicate with the horse. This activity can help develop fine motor coordination, precision of movement and the ability to communicate subtly.
Whether you’re riding for leisure, competition or simply for the pleasure of riding, this activity offers many physical, mental and emotional benefits. It’s important to take lessons from qualified professionals to learn proper riding techniques and ensure the safety of both rider and horse. Don’t forget to wear the appropriate protective equipment, such as a helmet and riding boots, to ensure your safety during riding sessions.
How to calculate the number of calories burned horse riding
The result displayed is expressed in Kcal and is calculated from the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). The MET for each activity is the result of statistical data and cannot therefore be interpreted as an exact calculation, but rather as an estimate taking into account the MET value and the ratio between the time spent on an activity and the individual’s weight.
For example: the MET value for horse riding is 4. This means that a rider consumes 4 times more energy than at rest during a walk, while for trotting and cantering the MET value rises to 6.
Discover the detailed formula to calculate your daily energy expenditure while horse riding
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (MET*3.5*Weight in kilos)/200
This means that for a 60-kilo person riding for 50 minutes:
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (4*3.5*60)/200 = 4.2 Kcal/mn
So for 50 minutes = 4.2*50 = 210 kcal for 50 minutes
