horseback riding vs riding

horseback riding and riding both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
horseback riding	Yes	No	No	No
riding	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, horseback riding and riding are synonyms defined as:

As nouns, horseback riding and riding are synonyms defined as:

horseback riding and riding: the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

Other synonyms of horseback riding include equitation.

horseback riding (noun)	riding (noun)
travel by being carried on horseback	travel by being carried on horseback
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements	the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements