When I got back into horseback riding, my family use to laugh at me when I said riding was a form of exercise. They visualized that a rider passively sits on the horse like they were sitting in a chair and that the horse does all the work. Once during a physical, my doctor asked what type of exercise I did. I told the doctor, I walked and rode my horse. He looked at me and said, “Is that really exercise?”

Yes it is! Riding when done correctly requires balance, strength, and flexibility. It is also an aerobic activity, which can involve a moderate intensity of exercise for a long period of time. Getting back into riding when we are older can be particular tough. It took me a while to gain strength in my legs and also to become a more balanced rider. I found stretching and performing Pilate’s exercises helped me become better at riding. Stretching my legs and hip flexors helped me to position my legs correctly and Pilate’s exercises strengthened my stomach and back so that I sat with better posture.

Pilates can help equesterians build strength in their body’s core muscles. The core are the deep muscles, that provide a “girdle of support” for your abdomen and low back. This core strength allows you to use more than one muscle group at a time, which means you can use your legs to cue your horse while maintaining a deep balanced sit. 

In addition, Pilates helps improve your balance by building your interior muscles. There are many Pilate’s exercises you must do while staying in a balanced position that strengthens your interior stomach and back muscles.

Lastly, Pilates increases your flexibility which is not only needed for riding but also for doing daily horse chores like grooming or saddling.

There are other types of exercise programs that are good for riders. Yoga and Tai Chi are both beneficial to riders. 

For Pilate’s exercises for equesterians, go to a site called Equestrian Balance . This site gives a series of exercises with photos that riders can do on a Pilate’s ball. The unstableness of the ball tests your balance while strengthening your core using your powerhouse and stabilizer muscles. If you want to find out more about Pilates, go to www.pilates.com.

So what type of exercises do you do to stay in shape for riding? Let me know!

Photo by jo-h