winter rider fitness

[arabian_lover]

I am writing to find out how you can stay in shape in the winter. On rides I stretch, etc. I still help around the stables, but I cannot stay down there as long as I do in the summer. But I basically have to figure out a way to stay in shape for when spring comes and we can work with the horses more. (It's winter here and there's snow on the ground so all we can basically do is trail ride at walk with some trot). I don't think it is fair for the horse to carry everything and the rider not care about her/his fitness. If you expect your horse to be a healthy athelete, then you hae to treat him like one, and likewise yourself, as riding is a partnership between rider and horse. Anyway, that was a little off topic. Any replies will be gratefully taken!:)

[Maci]

It snowy here too, in Canada! There are many ways to improve your fitness indoors, even without a horse! You could go to the gym, join indoor activities (soccer, hockey, etc.) or you can do some at home exercises I've listed! Here some are:

*To improve your calf muscles, do calf lifts on the stairs. What you do is get a light weight, maybe 5lbs, then go to any stairs, and stand on one step with one foot, and do calf raises; about 10 times each leg, with 2 sets. Hold the weight in the hand that your working your calf. Make sure you do them slow, and hold it a bit.

*To do something cardio to get your heart rate up, skip rope in your basement (if you have one) or garage. You can go for brisk power walks early morning, or down your street at night, which is always nice to see the Christmas lights up!

*If you want to tone your muscles, do lots of stretches! That also helps with your riding! Take them easy, and don't bounce whatever body part your stretching around, that damages the muscle.

*Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator at large buildings, helps you work up a little sweat, and improve you muscles!

Most of all when you are exersizing, make sure you have water! Don't dehydrate yourself, or your muscles! And eat right and healthy! I couldn't enforce that more!

Good Luck!
Maci :)

[arabian_lover]

Thanks for all those great exercizes! If everyone follows those tips, all us riders will be nice and toned for summer/spring! Any more things just keep them coming! Thanks again.

[peachy lover]

Speaking of fitnes, i find wherei ride the horses get WAY out of shape in the winter. All we can do is hack seing there is no indoor arena. what can i do to prevent this?
thanks

[sally]

get yourself some cross country skiis. it is a great
workout, wonderfully aerobic and balanced. plus, if
you can ski near the horses, you can wave hello!!
our snowiest winter here in midwest. sally