Recreational Horseback Riding and Its Association with Physical, Mental, and Social Wellbeing and Perceived Health

ABSTRACT

Physical activity and its influence on wellbeing are evident. It is an open question if the recommended activity levels can be reached by middle-aged and older (45+ years) horseback riders. Therefore the aim of the study was to assess physical activity (horseback riding) in horseback riders in comparison with dog owners (dog walking) and people without pets (non-animal-related activities) and its relation to physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The FAHW12- (self-assessment for habitual wellbeing of Wydra) and a self-designed questionnaire were used to determine overall wellbeing and its component dimensions. The study was carried out in Austria. Overall 178 people aged 45+ years answered a questionnaire about physical activity and wellbeing within the physical, mental, and social wellbeing domains. Comparisons were made using a general linear model, with activity group (riders, dog owners, controls) as the main variable of interest. Physical activity levels were not significantly different between riders (107.4±62.0 metabolic equivalent-hours per week; MET-h/week) and dog owners (137.4±116.7 MET-h/week), but were significantly higher compared with controls (without pets) (21.6±19.9 MET-h/week). Overall wellbeing scores of riders were not significantly higher compared with dog owners (15.5±0.8 vs. 13.3±0.9; p = 0.071), but statistically significantly higher compared with controls (11.6±0.9; p = 0.002). The physical wellbeing of riders was significantly higher (1.5 times, p = 0.024) compared with dog owners, and 1.7 times higher compared with controls (p = 0.006). Mental wellbeing scores of riders were significantly higher compared with controls but not compared with dog owners. Horseback riding is a means to reach recommended physical activity levels. This activity is associated with greater physical and mental wellbeing, when compared with non-pet owning people, and is similar to that seen in dog owners.

KEYWORDS:

• Adults
• horseback riding
• human–animal interaction
• mental wellbeing
• older people
• physical activity

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.