A "Two-species" Duathlon

Maximizing walking or riding sessions

Whether you're running, trotting, jogging, or ambling along at an easy lope, why not add a companion to the activity? Though more of us have dogs than horses, the exercise potential from owning one or both animals can be far-reaching. The benefits are almost endless: stronger cardiovascular systems and endurance (human, equine, canine), tighter core muscles (human, equine), mental stimulation, and good, old-fashioned fresh air activity are all just waiting to be enjoyed.

Both dogs and horses are wired to live in group settings. Interaction within the group (especially with the leader of the group) is not only beneficial, it is vital. Time spent at least a few days per week doing activities such as walking, riding, obstacles, or obedience can work wonders on the animal's state of mind. Barking, cribbing, digging, pawing, weaving, pacing, or other undesirable behaviors usually stem from the lack of time spent on more constructive activities. It can also be an antidote for the human's daily stress level. It's been proven that the simple act of petting or grooming an animal can lower blood pressure. Add some cardiovascular exercise, and you have a winning fitness combination for both mind and body!

If one walks a dog, then rides a horse on the same day, the whole body gets both cardiovascular and strength-training benefits. Walking or running with a dog obviously fits in the aerobic category -- this is heightened by the fact that a reasonably fit dog won't tire at the same rate as a human, so the dog can encourage the human to work at a slightly higher level than if that human were to walk or run alone. Add a ride on a horse, and you have the best core-strengthening exercise available. To balance the entire upper body on a moving animal takes every back, abdominal, seat, and leg muscle available. Keep the horse moving, and the legs get even more work when directing the way of travel. Anyone who has never ridden, or has not ridden a horse recently will tell you where every muscle is -- the day after the ride. Ride more, the soreness improves. Ride even more, strength builds.

Make your human, canine, and equine world a better place -- each day, if you can. Do yourself, and your dog and/or horse a favor -- walk or ride! It's a win-win-win situation for all species involved!