Pilates For the Equestrian Rider
I have been using pilates for a number of years in my daily life and certainly in the saddle. The absolute best exercises for equestrian riders is applied posture riding. Pilates for horse riders has become very popular over the past few years. Horse riders are realizing that they need to get out of the saddle and exercise in the gym.
A gym program is not enough. A gym routine will give you more strength and fitness but it will not teach you how to use your deep core muscles or how to train movement patterns used in the saddle.
Exercises For Equestrian Riders must include a teaching program about Pilates
Very few personal trainers actually learn the mechanics and full function of the core muscles. I believe this must be taught by a Physiotherapist. The anatomy and bio mechanics are quite complex. The Transverse Abdominal Muscle (TVA) is the key muscle to be trained, when thinking about Pilates. The equestrian rider must have a strong TVA muscle and must know how to use this muscle. The TVA when strong will stabilize the lower back and allow it to move in rhythm with the horse through all paces.
Exercises For Equestrian Riders To be able to Sit Trot
The sit trot is so difficult because the beat is two beat and the foot fall causes a jarring through the saddle. This jarring has an impact through the seat up to the lower back. The movement of the horses hind legs rolls the pelvis around and the body bounces out of the saddle as the horses feet hit the ground. The only way to ride the sit trot is to absorb the impact through your seat and back. This can be done quite easily if the deep core muscles are strong and able to coordinate the movement of the horse with the rider.
Exercises For Equestrian Riders Learn a Movement Pattern for the Sit Trot
Try this simple little exercise for your self
- sit on a gym ball high enough to have yours legs similar to the dressage position.
- bounce up and down gently controlling the ball through your lower legs and knees.
- push up through your heels
- as you come back down into the ball blow out and draw your belly button in towards your spine.
- keep doing this slowly and feel the muscles working in your lower back, thighs and belly
- Practice this movement pattern many times and then try it on your horse
- on your horse, let your legs dangle be safe and jig for 4-5 steps blow as you jig pull up and try again
Exercises For Equestrian Riders Learn Pilates from an Expert Rider
Learning and applying pilates go together. Learning and applying pilates in the saddle requires knowledge of riding and the muscle of horse riding. Teaching equestrian riders about their own posture problems needs to come form an expert. Many Instructors can tell a pupil they have round shoulders or weak through the legs or collapsing through the per body. Very few can teach or instruct a rider how to fix this problem. Many riders would ride so much better if they could keep their seat in the saddle.
