Most people who try horse riding say the same thing after their first ride. It was more tiring than they expected, and more fun than they expected. In this guide we want to describe the benefits of horse riding without exaggeration. We will not promise miracles. We will write about what a rider really gains, based on what we see and on what riders tell us themselves.
A note before we start. What follows is general experience. If you have a health question or a particular condition, make the decision together with a doctor or a specialist.
Balance and posture
When a horse moves, its back moves too. To stay upright on top, you use your core, your legs and your arms together. On the first rides this feels a little strange, and you may feel yourself sliding from side to side in the saddle. After a few rides your body gets used to the rhythm and you start to sit more comfortably.
Riders often say that horse riding makes them aware of their posture. When you slouch, following the horse’s movement gets harder. When you sit up straight, it gets easier. This is also what instructors correct most in the first lessons.
Balance and coordination
On horseback your hands hold the reins, your legs talk to the horse and your core keeps you balanced. Doing all of this at once feels hard at first. Most riders say the pieces come together more easily after a few rides. That is what we mean by the coordination side of horse riding.
The next day you may feel a light tiredness in your legs and lower back. It is a sign that you worked some muscles you rarely use during the day. Building up slowly and not starting with a long ride on day one is the most comfortable approach.
Does horse riding help you lose weight
We hear this question a lot. You do burn calories while riding, that is true. But horse riding is not a weight loss programme, and we do not give numbers or comment on it. Come to enjoy an active day, not to lose weight.
Time in nature
Perhaps the easiest benefit of horse riding to feel is that it takes you outdoors. An hour among the trees or by the sea, away from screens, traffic and notifications, does many people good.
The view looks different from horseback. You sit a little higher, you move slowly and you have time to listen. Birdsong, the smell of the earth and the sound of hooves pull you into the moment. A trail you would pass through quickly on foot can feel like a different place on horseback.
The north of Sarıyer is lucky in this respect. The horse riding route in Belgrade Forest (Belgrad Ormanı) runs among the trees, and the beach route goes down to the Black Sea coast. There is also a separate route for anyone who loves the lakeshore.
The seasons change the experience too. In spring the forest turns green, in autumn the leaves turn yellow and the trails fill with colour. In summer the early morning hours are cool and quiet, and in winter the air is clean and clear. Riders who take the same route in different seasons say they see something new each time. Being this close to nature is a gain in itself for anyone who lives in the city.
Responsibility and a bond with the horse
A horse is not a tool like a bicycle. It is a living animal with its own character, fears and habits. How you approach it, how you talk to it and how calm you are all change the way the horse responds to you.
This teaches riders patience. You learn not to make sudden movements, not to raise your voice, and to read the horse’s ears and body to understand how it feels. Many riders say this small conversation is the best part of horse riding.
People who ride regularly often become interested in caring for the horse as well. Grooming, feeding and rest are like the other half of riding. Paying attention to the wellbeing of another animal is a habit that does people good too.
Confidence in children
Climbing onto an animal many times bigger than you is a small test of courage for a child. We often see children who are shy the first time calling the horse by its name after a few laps, and reaching out to stroke it.
Confidence that comes in small steps
This change is what families talk about most. The child feels they have achieved something, waits for their turn, listens to the instructor and follows the rules. These are small but valuable things horse riding brings to children.
The starting point for children is the arena, a fenced practice area. For beginners we offer 4 laps in the arena for 500 TL, always with an instructor. For more detail, see our guide to horse riding for kids.
A break from stress
On horseback it is hard for your mind to wander. You focus on the horse’s rhythm, the trail and your balance. That is why many riders say their head feels clear after a ride, and that they put down the weight of the day for a while.
Being realistic about stress
Let us stay measured here too. Horse riding is not a treatment. It is simply an hour you enjoy, spend in nature and give to a hobby. For most people even that is valuable enough.
Therapeutic riding is a separate field
Work known as hippotherapy or therapeutic riding is a separate field run by specialists. What we do at our farm is trail rides and riding lessons. If you are looking for therapy, we suggest you contact people and organisations who specialise in it.
How to start horse riding at the farm
If you have never ridden, or have not ridden for a long time, you can choose one of three ways.
Start in the arena. 4 laps with an instructor for 500 TL. It is the calmest way to get used to the horse and feel your balance. It is also the first step for children.
Go on a short ride. Our beginner routes are guided. The forest ride is 30 minutes for 1,500 TL, horse riding by the lake is 45 minutes for 2,000 TL and the beach ride is 45-60 minutes for 3,500 TL. All the options are on our horse riding tours in Sarıyer page.
Learn properly. If you really want to learn to ride, you can take one-to-one riding lessons in the arena. A single lesson is 30-40 minutes for 3,000 TL, and a 10-lesson package is 23,000 TL. Riding is a sport with its own national federation in Türkiye, and if you are curious about the competition disciplines you can visit the Turkish Equestrian Federation website.
The current price list is on our horse riding prices page. If you are wondering what to wear, our clothing guide for your first ride will help. To see routes, durations and prices together, read our guide to horse riding in Istanbul. After your ride you can also sit down to a Turkish village breakfast at the farm restaurant.
To book, write to us on WhatsApp or through the form on the site, or call +90 546 414 00 89. If you are coming with a child, we suggest you ask about conditions such as age and weight when you book.