Horseback riding may boost muscle strength and sleep quality, study finds

NCT ID NCT07286864

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether regular outdoor horseback riding can improve leg strength, core stability, balance, sleep, and overall function in healthy adults. Researchers compared 64 people who rode horses outdoors at least once a week for six months with non-riders. They measured muscle strength, balance, movement quality, sleep quality, anxiety, and quality of life to see if riders had better physical and mental health.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

outdoor horseback riding

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that regular horseback riding is a fun way to improve physical fitness and sleep quality in healthy people.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed observational study comparing riders to non-riders, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to people with health conditions.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

insomnia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Istinye University

    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

  • Istınye Unıversıtesı

    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

  • İstinye University

    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)