We are starting a riding fitness program, and I am trying to gather exercise & stretching ideas that you can do while on horses (most exercises I find for riders are performed off the horse). These would be beginner riders, so jumping is not an option. Looking forward to suggestions!!!
Also should mention that we ride western...so a lot of the 2-point exercises are out b/c of the saddle-horn.
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
well you already have some good answers but i thought i'd add mine in. i know about a simple exercise called "poll and tail". basically, get the riders to knot their reins in front of them and preferably get someone to hold the horse's head. then have them reach forward with one hand and touch the horse's poll, before reaching back and touching the horse's tail. get them to do this with both arms - it's a nice stretch!
skydiveup
you can post,get into a half seat, and jump without your irons and while in a round pen of something have someone put your horse on lounge line with you on. While doing that go without your irons and rains with your eyes closed and try to find your balance on your horse. Ride like that for a while and eventually try putting a pole in front of your horse and have the trainer tell you how many strides you are away from it and jump it like that over and over.
Riz-a
okay, so this is a stretching routine that my riding instructor had me do once:
pull one leg back, up to your butt while the horse is stationary, and hold. then do with the other leg.
bring knee as high up as possible, and repeat with other leg.
put one leg forward, and the other back aka "Scissor kicks"
bring both legs back
bring both knees up
Repeat at the walk
hopefully you know what im saying, its hard to write out something that you need to see to do. but these worked for getting my legs in the right position and i was a lot less sore after my lesson.
M¤n¡k€
This is what i learned in camp last year! okay when u r on the horse u grab ur leg and hold it there for a min! it helps and it feels really good to ur legs! lol =)
Anonymous
Try riding without stirrups it's a good work out. And you could have them ride in jump possition.