DeAnna Lyke, a horsewoman from Stoughton, has started a fun new activity for people and their horses this winter that she is calling 'Equi-cise'
Lyke has been involved with horses her entire life; she runs her own business called On Board Equine Services. She is also a farrier and a horse trainer. Lyke is involved in many horse clubs and enjoys introducing people to the world of horses.
鈥淓qui-cise was inspired as a way to help people stay active and still offer support from others. It has the added benefit of allowing people to spend time with their horses鈥� Lyke explains.
Equi-cise consists of four people and their four horses who are spaced around the arena, which is used like an exercise track at a gym. Each person leads their horse around the outside of the track. Some people choose to ride their horses due to health conditions that make walking painful.
The sand in the arena makes the exercise much more of a workout for both horse and human. Participants choose their speed and when they catch up to the person in front of them they shout 鈥淧ineapple鈥� and the group changes directions.
The 45-minute session is broken down into 10-minute intervals with breaks in between. Each week has some added challenges to keep it fresh.
鈥淭he goal for Equi-cise is to allow people to exercise in a way that does not feel like exercise. So far I think it really hits its mark.鈥� Lyke explains. She goes on to say that classes so far have shown participants having a lot of fun whether they are really active and competitive or just spend the entire session walking.
鈥淲hat is great to see is the way the horses connect with their people during the breaks. The horses are a great support as they are happy to go whatever speed their leader goes. There is a lot of laughing during the class and that is what is most important right now. I think people are needing something to look forward to that allows them to have fun and laugh at each other.
It鈥檚 entertaining to see competitive natures come out in people who you wouldn't expect to be competitive鈥� Lyke says.
If you are wanting to join this fun winter event you still can. There are a few weeks left in the December session and in January Lyke will be starting an eight-week session.
聽鈥淲e always try to accommodate new participants and encourage people to sign up with a friend or family member 鈥� it is only 10 dollars each that way!鈥� Lyke explains.
You can contact Lyke via Facebook or by calling (306) 698-7170.
