Equicise Fuses Excercise and Horses

You've likely never heard of equicise, but you're probably not alone.

The unique activity blends exercise and horses, and Melissa Boyd of Equine Sports of Linden has dedicated part of her life to it.

Equicise requires no knowledge of or experience with horses. Riders sit securely on saddled horses with the goal of improving their flexibility, core strength, balance and coordination through a series of no-impact isometrics, stretching and balance exercises. The combination of goals and movements is somewhat based on the tradition of vaulting and gymnastics.

Boyd said the relationship between the person and animal is one of the draws of the activity, saying the “bonding with an animal” is an immediate benefit.

People of all ages and stages of physical fitness come to spend some time bonding with a horse.

“You’re having so much fun you don’t even know you’re working,” said Boyd. "Horseback riding is a sport that transcends generations, it's ageless. If you are 4 or 70, you can do this."

 Boyd has 24 years of experience teaching and training riders and drivers.

The staff seeks to be constantly aware of the client’s comfort level. Riders who have never been on a horse and are timid with the new experience are gently encouraged. Each step, each progression is celebrated. The horses are patient, calm and forgiving, Boyd said. In fact, if the rider becomes off balance in the saddle, the horse may stop or alert the rider by other subtle movements.

“If you can get on a horse, we can accommodate you,” said trainer assistant Sue Owen. “We do our best to let people enjoy the experience. This is something you can do all your life.”

Boyd said a variety of special-needs riders benefit from equicise, as Equine Sports specializes in matching the needs of the rider with the temperament and personalities of the horses. 

Boyd counts as a success story the progress made by a child experiencing partial paralysis.

“The movement of the horse simulates the walking movement,” she said. “It’s fun to watch them achieve here and have it affect the rest of their life—including their self-esteem."

Riders with arthritis would benefit from the warmth of the horse warming their muscles, Boyd said. A rider might not be nimble at the start of this workout, but the process and the litany of exercise Boyd takes her students through will help them gain flexibility.

There are 23 horses on-site. Some are boarders, and others are there for training, including ones from Kentucky.

Equine Sports in located at 15135 Pinewood Trail in Linden. It can be contacted at 810-516-0232 or www.equinesports.com.

The facility will hold a summer camp June 21-24. 

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