Total body workout, especially as you get into cross country, jumping, and generally more advanced. Good cardio, too.
Not bad for the horse, either, lol.

it take a strong core and legs/arms to ride so it is a full body workout.

it is also very expensive to compete in shows and as lessons get more frequent.

Call Rock Creek Park's nature center.

Enormous value. Abs of steel, her legs will be muscular. Her arms will be muscular too. It is an expensive sport but it is a very physical sport. You should not worry at all about it not being an exercise! I had my best abs when I was riding.

I rode growing up, starting at 9. I thought it was a physically demanding activity, especially once I learned to jump. Balancing, use of core muscles & leg strength to hold on. You have to be responsible, confident, and learn how to interact with a large animal. During college summers I taught riding at a camp. I usually made friends with others who liked horses, these were generally high quality peers. So if you can afford the expense, there are a lot of benefits.

Anonymous wrote: This is the most expensive activity.

+1 But many people find it soothing/ therapeutic.

This is the most expensive activity.

PP here, in my youth I volunteered at a therapeutic riding center. We did horse care and sometimes rode, but mostly jogged alongside the horse during therapy sessions. That was good exercise.

You need to be fit to be a good rider. Riding itself is not a strenuous fitness activity but it does build muscle, and there's usually manual labor associated with horse care. It's more of a physical workout than, say, golf.

Ideally she will work in the stables (mucking out, hauling hay, cleaning tack, walking horses) and/or be motivated to exercise and stretch in order to become a better rider.

- Former rider who was not sporty

I have a 9 year old beginner rider, and do not ride myself. She does not like gym, biking, ballet, martial arts, competitive swimming, running, team sports. She does enjoy rock-climbing - but she loves animals, and much prefers riding horses. It makes her truly happy.
I'm wondering what value horse-riding brings, in terms of physical exercise? Financially, this is a real stretch.