Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing.

Gabriele Schwarzmüller-Erber,Michael Kundi,Harald Stummer,Manfred Maier

doi:10.3390/ijerph17114136

Abstract

Connectedness to nature and nature contact can provide many benefits to humans, like stress reduction, recovery from illness, and increased positive emotions. Likewise, recreational horseback riding is a widespread sports activity with the potential to enhance physical and psychological health. Yet, the influence of connectedness to nature on the wellbeing of older aged recreational horseback riders has not been investigated so far. The aim of the present study therefore was to explore the relationship between nature relatedness and physical, psychological and social wellbeing and happiness. The study sample was composed of Austrian recreational horseback riders aged 45 years and older, who were compared with dog owners and people without pets (n = 178). We found significantly higher nature relatedness, significantly higher overall wellbeing and a significantly better mood rating in recreational horseback riders compared to people without pets and similar scores compared to dog owners. Physical wellbeing is correlated with overall nature relatedness in horseback riders and dog owners, but no correlation was found in people without pets. A structural equation model shows a direct relationship between nature relatedness and mood in horseback riders and an indirect relationship through pet attachment in dog owners. The results suggest the activity with horses and dogs in nature environments is a source of wellbeing, enjoyment, self-confidence and social contacts.

Highlights

Horse riding and dog ownership seem to be associated with both nature relatedness and physical activity
We found significantly higher nature relatedness, significantly higher overall wellbeing and a significantly better mood rating in recreational horseback riders compared to people without pets and similar scores compared to dog owners
Our study showed that horse ownership was related to overall pet attachment, but riders had significantly lower scores and sub-scores compared to dog owners [63]

Summary

Introduction

Horse riding and dog ownership seem to be associated with both nature relatedness and physical activity. There is a lack of evidence on the association of nature relatedness, pet attachment, physical activity and physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Physical Activity and its Association with Wellbeing. Health promotion by means of increased physical activity is maybe the most promising strategy to counteract age-related decreased quality of life. Cardiorespiratory fitness [1,2], physical functioning [1,3], bone health [4] and balance [5], and wellbeing in general [6] can be affected by regular activities or resistance training even at an older age. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4136; doi:10.3390/ijerph17114136 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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