Exercises for riders while on horseback...?

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!

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.

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.

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 =)

Try riding without stirrups it's a good work out. And you could have them ride in jump possition.

Try doing around the world.

There is also an exercise that you have to use your legs. You move one leg forward and one leg back. It stretches and strengthens your legs.

my trainer used to make us do this... while in a two-point, bring your chest down almost to the withers then back up to your two point frame. sort of like doing back extensions on horseback, really strengthens your back and, hamstrings, and quads.

riding without stirups is great for building muscle on your legs! also riding in two point position works well as well!

Touch your toes.

Circle your arms to the side.

will try and think of more