Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness -- Book Review

Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness
by Rallie McAllister, M.D.
Eclipse Press, 2007, $28.95
ISBN-13 9781581501704
Available through Amazon and Chapters/Indigo

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton – www.dreamsaloud.ca
First published in Horses All Magazine – www.horsesall.com

"If you’re like most horsewomen, you probably can’t imagine a life without horses. How long and to what extent you’re able to ride and remain actively involved with horses depends not only on your desire but also on your health." ~ Rallie McAllister, M.D.

Many of us have difficulty fitting good health habits into an already rushed schedule. We have careers and raise families; some of us tend farms, ranches and riding centers, over and above our personal equestrian pursuits. Enter physician Rallie McAllister, also an avid horsewoman, syndicated columnist and author of Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health & Fitness.

This unique book can help all riders maintain optimal fitness and health while keeping up regular daily priorities. It includes two simple Riding for Life Programs, one focused on wholesome eating / nutritional supplements and one on physical fitness. Both serve as launching pads to help women improve their strength and stamina as equestrians, no matter what their current levels. We may understand the importance of good nutrition for our horse and yet neglect our own. McAllister details simple solutions to help us eat smart and ride well. No extra time for gym or exercise class? McAllister’s exercises require little equipment and can be done at home, at the barn or in your office. Her logic is clear. The more toned specific muscle groups are, the more quickly and comfortably your skills as an equestrian can advance.

There are two chapters devoted to overcoming obstacles that can stand in the way of your horse passions. As women, we often spend much time taking care of others and shortchanging our own needs. Finances and individual circumstances can also impede what we would like to achieve. These chapters contain worksheets to help define your dreams and priorities, identify barriers and create solutions, both in the saddle and on the ground.

McAllister combines excellent medical information with her deep love of horses. She writes in an encouraging, yet no-nonsense voice, designed for reader inspiration. This book can help anyone continue to ride regularly throughout the seasons of life.

About the Author:

Rallie McAllister, the mother of three boys, lives on a farm in Kentucky and enjoys riding her four horses. She designs corporate wellness programs, is the author of several other health books and writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column, Your Health. Visit Rallie at: http://www.rallieonhealth.com