[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/horse.jpg” caption=”Horseback riding offers many emotional and physical benefits. “]The Mac Outdoor Club is taking advantage of the sunny season by expanding its horseback-riding program, and giving people a taste of the emotional, physical, and even social benefits that can be derived from riding.

Focusing on trail riding and comfortable outdoor adventures, the August to December 2006 program offerings will include: riding lessons, monthly trail rides, local hayloft 'overnights', and a Thanksgiving Fall Colours trip to an Algonquin Park lodge. For those interested in a social event with a healthy setting full of adventurous activity, the first overnight horseback riding trip this August long weekend may be the 'ticket'.

The movements required to keep a horse steady require good body awareness, and improve body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility and coordination. Riding can also help relax and strengthen the muscles in your legs, back, shoulders and abs. It also helps stimulate the body's internal organs, which is why horseback riding is often used as therapeutic exercise.

“This overnight horseback riding trip provides a great social environment for people to get to know others with similar interests and to get outside and connect with a lovely animal like the horse,” says Wayne Terryberry, outdoor recreation coordinator. “A riding trip is a great stress reliever and a good way to take a little 'time out' from the day to day hectic pace so many of us experience in our lives. And sometimes a trip like this, for beginners, is a great introduction to what may become a life-long passion for horses and outdoor adventure.”

On his way out the door to a 10-day canoe trip, Bob Henderson, associate professor in kinesiology, took a few minutes to share his thoughts on Mac Outdoor and, in particular, the horseback riding program.

“The Mac Outdoor club organizes fantastic activities,” says Henderson. “I've heard lots of great comments from my students. In my opinion they've developed a great model for other universities to follow.”

Henderson, whose book Every Trail Has A Story reflects his love of sharing heritage stories about the outdoors, believes that people need nature in a very primal way.

“There is a theory in research called 'eco-psychology' that infers we don't just 'like' nature, we need it,” says Henderson. “It's more than 'wouldn't it be nice to have some exposure to nature' but in that realm it's a psychological imperative in the human psyche. We, as a culture are learning that we don't just like nature; we need it. It's our life-support system. People really need to take part in things like the horseback riding. We need the 'more than human' world, because we are not fully human without it.”

So if you're ready to become “more fully human” by communing with nature, sharing laughter with others and enjoying the fresh air on horseback, the Mac Outdoor horseback riding trip to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and Jerseyville Stables should satisfy.

An evening sunset trail ride will be guided by the stable owner, who will offer two one-hour riding lessons in the English Style. Folks will have an opportunity to groom, brush and feed a horse, take part in a late evening bonfire and fall asleep with the clean smell of the peaceful country air, in a spacious hayloft above the stables.

The trip's guide, who has more than 15 years experience in outdoor trip cooking, will provide lunch, dinner, snack breaks and a delicious brunch on the holiday Monday. The cost of the overnight trip includes all food, helmets, tack (saddles, bridles, etc.), sleeping bags if necessary, and accommodations.

“For 11 years the outdoor recreation program at Mac has provided training activities, events and trips as a service to students and other members of the University and surrounding community,” says Terryberry. “The Mac Outdoor club, as a part of that program, offers opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and experience the local beauty we have in Ontario and especially around the Hamilton area.”

Register before July 26 to receive an early-bird rate of $178, which will increase by $10 after that date. Click here to find out how to register online.

You may also email outdoor@mcmaster.ca or call (905) 525-9140 ext. 23879 for more information. (Please provide an email address for contact information.)

Check out the Mac Outdoor Summer 2006 schedule here [PDF file]. Watch the Mac Outdoor Club website for the Fall 2006 schedule, to be posted by mid-August.