HORSE RIDING CLUB AT AIMT
Ambalika Institute of Management and Technology recently established a groundbreaking initiative in the form of a horse riding club on its sprawling campus. This was done keeping in mind the rigors of academics that engineering and management students face. Horse riding is a holistic activity which adds to the repertoire of the existing indoor and outdoor extra-curricular activities that the college offers to provide both recreation and enrichment of personality, and fits perfectly into the vision of the college to nurture well-rounded individuals who are proficient in both their professional and personal lives.
Why horse riding excels as an extra-curricular activity:
- Horse riding promotes physical fitness and health
Horse riding is a demanding physical activity which ensures that the students remain very fit and healthy. It offers a full-body workout, engaging various muscles and improving core strength, balance, and coordination. As riders maintain their posture and control the horse, they strengthen their abdominal, back, and leg muscles, which helps with posture and flexibility.
Additionally, horse riding is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. The rhythmic motion of trotting or cantering helps to enhance heart health, while the exercise involved also promotes endurance and stamina.
2. It promotes mental well-being
Grooming or riding horses offers students an opportunity to disconnect from the stress of academic and daily life. Horse riding takes place in natural outdoor environments. This connection with nature can offer a sense of balance and perspective, helping students disconnect from the digital world and the pressures of technology-heavy fields.Moreover, bonding with animals and taking care of them is also therapeutic and aids in the development of emotional intelligence.
3. It helps foster team working skills
Club activities are collaborative and contributive in nature. Riding or even spending time in the stables with the horses fosters co-operation and synergy among the students. Teamwork is a highly prized soft skill and it is easily transferable to a student’s professional life.
4. It develops discipline, a sense of responsibility and leadership qualities
Horse riding scores over other extra-curricular activities in inculcating a strong sense of responsibility, patience and leadership skills. These skills are valuable and also transferable, which help students to excel in their chosen careers. Horse riding also requires intense focus and concentration, particularly when performing complex maneuvers or participating in competitive events. These skills also carry over to the academic environment, where students can apply the same focus to their technical studies and problem-solving tasks.
5. It sparks creativity and problem solving abilities
Being in nature sparks creativity and innovation, which is important in technical disciplines. Working with horses often requires on-the-spot decision making and handling difficult situations, which leads to out-of-the-box thinking.
In summary, while horse riding and grooming may not be directly linked to the technical aspects of a student’s studies, they offer valuable life skills that can enhance personal development and success in a professional career. These activities can nurture well-rounded individuals with strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and physical and mental resilience, which are essential qualities in any field, including technical professions.
