What are some ways to improve your riding OFF the horse?

Question

Maybe some balance/posture execises, or core strength improvement ideas. And also suggestions would be appreciated on how to keep my lower leg still would be great.
I tried this question in the pets section but didnt get enough responses.
Thanks!

Answer 1

LadyKnight
I really like Sally Swift's "Centered Riding" book for this question. She gives great illistrations,ideas on home fitness to improve riding,and concepts that solidify that leg and lower the heel.Those exorsize balls are good for balance I hear,but don't forget the basics:tai chi,yoga,even ballet! I loathe long answers when a link would be better: here's yours (and yes I voted for a horse sports section for YA)
Seeing your skills improve feels wonderful...luck!

Answer 2

Riding without stirrups is an excellent idea for improving balance and security in the saddle, but I take serious issue with the notion that a beginner rider should wear spurs and then wait for the horse to react violently to them when he/she is riding and tries to use his/her legs to stay on. This is a good way to get a beginner hurt, scared, or possibly even KILLED, and I can't for the life of me imagine why anyone with any amount of sense would even suggest such a crazy, dangerous thing. Many horses react violently to ANY use of spurs, regardless of the rider's ability level. Mine does, and I have ridden several more who do as well. If you want to improve your riding, try having someone hold the longe line for you while you are riding and remind you when your legs move too much. You should be spending a lot of time on the longe line at this stage anyway, until you develop an independent seat. Longing is also great for improving your posture in the saddle and becoming aware of what your horse is doing and how you are responding in terms of your body mechanics. Off the longe line and off the horse, I would say that your best bet is to work on your fitness and upper body strength, as well as your posture when walking, sitting, and standing. Try walking around with a book on your head. For fitness and strength, almost any activity will work- I swim laps for 30+ minutes a day, and I have noticed a huge difference in my upper body strength in the 6 months or so since I started doing this. Make a concious effort to stand and walk with good posture, whether you are going across the street or across a room at home. Some people I know do yoga and lift weights to build strength. I don't have an interest in that, but I DO like to walk a mile or more when I can find the time to do it. Walking is great exercise too. Hope that this helps you.

Answer 3

Try plenty of riding without stirrups to develop your balance and lower leg position. These days the 'correct' leg position is by gripping with the calf which automatically makes your feet move and often leaves a gap between your knees and the saddle which looks pretty awful! If you grip with your knees then your lower leg and feet should remain still. Try not to tense up and stiffen, that just makes it worse. Sorry I can't think of any exercises to do out of the saddle.
I have been trying to get an Equestrian category introduced on here, so if you could go to the Suggestions Forum, top right hand corner of the page, you could add to the others, please.

Answer 4

This is a good question. As always the best way to perfect, and develop your balance and posture is to ride, however as most riders don't have the privilege of living close to a ranch, or owning their own horse, this is not always ideal, or possible.

In the years that i have ridden, i have always tried to perfect my posture whilst not on a horse, and i found, 20 years ago, that my pianos tool was great tool for this, i would straddle the chair from the chair from the length rather than the width, and check my posture accordingly by using a long mirror I even took pictures and showed these to my horse trainer, instructor for comment. When working on your computer, practice relaxing your shoulders, arching your back, and loosening your elbows.

With regard to keeping your feet loose whilst riding, the best practice is to ride without stirrups, and if this does not work, then use spurs, light ones, as every time you touch the horse with the spurs, he will react, harshly, if he needs to to teach you, and you will learn quickly to think about this factor of your trainer, but try the stirrup free riding first...:)

Good luck,
Roy W

Answer 5

the best way every and you feel it work to. croach down like your in a riding position then bounce up and down very lightly dont let your butt pass your knees and at the same time move your arm in front of you then behind you like your riding a horse to the finish line. Its a great workout and it will make your legs much much stronger. All the jockeys at the race track practice this.

Answer 6

I do yoga to help with flexability and balance
I do pliates to help with core muscle strength.
One of those large exercise balls would be good for balance.
Most of all spend time in the saddle with out stirrups.
Lots of trot in an english saddle with out stirrups.
Makes for good balance oand teaches your legs to be still.

Answer 7

This is an excellent question. I had the same problem until I learned how to straddle donkeys. Whatever ails you, will be a thing of the past witht this meathod.

Answer 8

you get what is called an equiziser there what jockeys use to stay fit if you need one let me know have one for 3k

Answer 9

well i do barrelracing, and some ways u can do it, i know it sounds dumb, but try yoga, there are different positions that help strenghthen your legs, and keep them steady.