Horseback riding can refer to the competitive aspect of riding on a horse either for equestrian events or horse racing, or the casual hobby of riding a horse for enjoyment or transportation purposes.

There are many uses for horseback riding, including for parades, hunting, policing assistance, historical reenactments, and even for therapeutic reasons.

In the early days of the U.S. Postal Service, mail carriers would deliver the mail on horseback, and even today, there are practical uses for horseback riding such as transportation. There are also numerous examples of horseback riding in sporting events, such as rodeo, show jumping, polo, and of course horse racing. Horseback riding can also be used by tour guides in areas where modern transportation such as cars cannot gain access, such as at the Grand Canyon or other remote locations.