The cultural hub of South Africa’s Western Province, Cape Town offers the visitor an increasingly broad variety of sensational accommodation and activity choices. Sightseeing, safaris, ethnic experiences and much, much more await the keen traveller in the Mother City.

Those who enjoy outdoor activities are in for a treat – Cape Town is situated in the midst of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a habitat so rare that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to better protect it. A beautifully fragile ecosystem consisting mainly of Fynbos, a type of vegetation peculiar to this region, it has been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots.

A variety of Cape Town tours and outdoor activity providers operate from this breathtaking setting and in recent years, horse riding has become an especially favoured pastime of both locals and visitors alike. There is nothing like a relaxing stroll along the beach or a bracing cross-country outride to do away with the stress and cobwebs of daily life. Horse riding has been proven to have a multitude of health benefits that range from cardiovascular fitness to muscle conditioning and improved balance. Add to this the simple pleasure of having the wind in your hair and the majestic feeling of establishing a connection with an animal much larger than yourself and you get an outdoor pursuit that is as good for you as it is fun.

Horse riding is also recognised as having outstanding therapeutic qualities. There are references to the benefits of therapeutic riding as far back as 600 BC, when Socrates wrote of the "riding's healing rhythm" for both mental and physical improvement. Horses were also used in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers after World War II. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Hippotherapy are two branches of psycho-physical treatment that make use of horse riding as part of rehabilitation regimens. Both are guided by a medical model but differ slightly in the way they are implemented.

In Equine Assisted Psychotherapy a certified medical professional utilizes the singular qualities of horseback riding in various ways for therapeutic benefit; whereas Hippotherapy (a name derived from the Greek word for horse, ‘hippo’) involves a certified therapist using the horse itself, as well as the relationship between the patient and the animal, as a therapeutic tool. In both instances patients afflicted by conditions as diverse as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis stand to benefit from riding therapy in a number of ways.

The most easily recognizable benefits are physical. A very physical activity, horse riding can improve balance, joint movement and muscle tones in children and adults with physical disabilities and special needs. Furthermore, the complex nature of the sport and the multi-sensory tasks it involves provide cognitive and mental stimulation. On an emotional level, bonding with an animal is beneficial for people with social and psychological disabilities. Riding indicates a direct connection between action and reaction and can go a long way in explaining the concept of cause and effect. Effective communication, trust and loyalty are further positive lessons to be learnt in the process of riding.

No matter which way you choose to look at it, horse riding is a very healthy leisure pursuit. So next time you visit Cape Town and are looking for things to do, why not arrange for a nice outing with an establishment that facilitates riding lessons and activities? You only stand to benefit and you’ll get to experience the Mother City from a whole different angle.

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