Riding Exercises (for the Rider)
By Lydia Bagley
These activities are designed to help the rider achieve balance and stability in the saddle, they are great for lessons and at home realignment of the seat and legs. These activities are great for lessons and getting students to stretch down into their stirrups, typically I would do these activities in the middle of the lesson after the horse has warmed up and help the rider realign the seat and legs.
Airplane – This is a great exercise to determine if you are balancing on your horses mouth or if your using your seat and legs. To begin start at a walk. Drop the reins to the horses neck and lift your arms straight out to the sides of the body (like airplane wings) this promotes balance from the seat and legs. As a rider try to feel if you are leaning forward, or left or right. Tip The arms must be straight out fingers together. If your horse responds well to leg aids trying guiding the horse without the reins, if you horse has not mastered leg aids have someone lounge you or use the round pen to prevent the horse from going back to the barn. The airplane activity can be done at walk, trot, and canter. (NOTE: if doing this exercise at trot or canter secure your reins to prevent them from getting tangled in your horses legs or ending up over his ears.)
Hands on Head – Another exercise to promote proper seat and leg, the rider places both hands on top of their head and rides at walk and trot. This is a great lesson activity, to help kids learn to balance without the reins.
Hands on Hips – Another exercise to promote control of seat and legs. The rider places both hands on their hips and rides at walk and trot.
Toe Touch – The rider reaches down and touches one toe and then the other. To increase difficulty touch the right toe with the left hand and the left toe with the right hand. To be done at halt only with someone holding your horse.
This stretch is great for stretching muscles prior to dismounting at the end of the lesson as it stretches back, arms and legs.
Tail Touch – This stretch is done only at the halt with someone holding your horse. Sit straight in the saddle place one hand on the pomel, and turn slightly in the direction of your free arm and reach back toward the horses tail. This exercise stretches the your sides and arms. Repeat with both arms. Tip: Remember to keep your legs in the correct position and not to stick them out toward the horses shoulders.
If you have not previously done these exercises with your horse, have someone hold the bridle initially to make sure your horse is ok with each activity.
Always remember to wear a helmet, and heeled shoes while riding.
About Lydia Bagley
Lydia Bagley has been riding and showing horses for 22 years and has been an instructor for the last 6 years. Today she focuses on using proven Classical Dressage methods and Natural Horsemanship to create partnerships between horse and rider. Lydia enjoys teaching children & adult beginners up to intermediate level riders. The original article can be found here: http://lydiabagley.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/riding-exercises-for-the-rider-part-1/