horseback riding

The New York Times affirms that riding can be moderate to even strenuous exercise, depending on how you ride. The report cites a study comparing the energy expended in various form of exercise. The energy expended is expressed in METs. A MET is the ratio of the work metabolic rate to the resting metabolic rate, or the amount of energy used as a multiple of just sitting still. To set some parameters for comparison, a 1-MET activity would be the equivalent of sitting still. A basketball game or a football game ranks as an 8-MET activity. Activities such as recreational badminton or golf (walking the course and pulling your own clubs) generally requires 5.5 METs. Riding a horse varies according to the gait, but in general, it requires about the same as badminton or golf. At a full gallop, 7.3 METs are required; a trot requires 5.8 METs; and walking the horse requires only 3.8 METs—about the same as bowling. Oh, and mucking a stall is a 4.3 MET activity! Posted September 30, 2014

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owns more than 200,000 acres of land on 39 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Commonwealth. Most of the land was purchased and has been maintained with proceeds from hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. For years, bird watchers, nature enthusiasts, and horseback riders have accessed and enjoyed the land at no cost, but that has changed. As of January 1, 2012, visitors to DGIF lands will need an Access Permit unless they possess a Virginia hunting, fishing, or trapping license or a Virginia boat registration. Of course, foxhunters in Virginia are supposed to carry hunting licences, so they should not be affected if they wish to hack out on these lands. However, enforcement of that requirement is lax, and many foxhunters are probably not in compliance. Daily and Annual Access Permits are priced at $4.00 and $23 respectively. More information, how to purchase online, and a list of statewide agents may be found here. Posted January 10, 2012