Can horseback riding affect my sex life?

Horse riding is a physical sport that engages the body in unique ways, so it’s natural for riders to wonder how it might affect intimacy or sexual wellbeing.

This question often comes from body awareness rather than fear. Riders notice sensations, pressure, or temporary discomfort and start connecting the dots — even if they’ve never had a reason to question it before.

This article looks at the topic calmly and honestly, from a rider’s perspective, without exaggeration or assumptions. Riding affects every body differently, and understanding those differences is often more helpful than worrying about extremes.

Let's think about the sitting position for a second. When you sit on a chair, your weight is distributed across both buttocks. This takes the pressure off the perineum, a region of the body that runs from the anus to the sex organs. It contains the nerves and arteries that supply the penis in men and the clitoris and labia in women. Sitting on a horse riding saddle puts pressure on the perineum, compressing those crucial nerves and blood vessels in the genital area. This can lead to loss of sensation among other problems and it turns out this can happen whether you are a man or woman. After a ride, numbness in the genital area can happen and therefore sexual dysfunction during the next few days. One of the possible consequences of this numbness prolonged in time is a chronic loss of sensitivity in the intimate area. Those who suffer from such sexual dysfunction, although able to physically perform, may not be able to feel sexual stimulation.

It is proven that horseback riding can cause microtrauma due to increased perineal pressure. More than 50% of horse riders admitted suffering from numbness in the genital area, a condition that increases the risk of sexual dysfunction in the medium and long term.


In women, genital numbness is a loss of sensitivity that occurs in the vulva area and manifests itself by pressing on the perineal nerve. This condition can occur when the posture required to ride is combined with an uncomfortable or hard saddle. It is often accompanied by a tingling sensation in the area which can lead to problems reaching orgasm in a sexual-affective relationship.

As a possible solution in this regard, we point to the use of padded underwear which protects against trauma and guarantees greater comfort. No matter whether you are a professional or an amateur rider. Our padded underwear does not only protect you from physical trauma but, due to its bacteriostatic properties, rapid transpiration, and high elasticity, can also prevent riding-related health conditions such as UTIs and saddle sores. What's more, increasing your general riding comfort greatly impacts your riding technique. There is no need to shift your position to make your time in a saddle more comfortable.

Sit back and relax, MRU is here to help.

Frequently asked questions riders have

Can horse riding negatively affect sex?

Horse riding itself doesn’t negatively affect sex. Discomfort or irritation from riding can influence how someone feels temporarily, but this is usually related to equipment, duration, or recovery rather than riding as a sport.

Is it normal to feel sensitive after riding?

Yes. Temporary sensitivity can happen, especially after long or intense rides. This usually improves with rest and adjustments.

Can riding improve body awareness?

Many riders feel more connected to their body through riding, which can be a positive experience overall.

Should riders be worried about long-term effects?

For most riders, there are no long-term negative effects. Paying attention to comfort, fit, and recovery helps prevent ongoing issues.

Horse riding is a physical activity that engages the body in unique ways. For most riders, its effect on sexual wellbeing is indirect and influenced by comfort, awareness, and individual experience rather than riding itself.

As with many intimate questions, the most important factor is listening to your own body — without fear, shame, or assumptions.

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Last updated: 2026