Exercises?

[LongShot]

I've bin riding for about 4 months and my instructor said I'm catching on fast, but i came to a hault in my improvement. She said unless i can fix it my riding WON'T get any better. It's a pretty basic begginer thing, the problem is I ride leaning over )=. I've bin working on my back and got a bit better on a horse named Lenny, but now i'm on a new horse. The new horse is a real speed devil, I knowticed how weak i really was getting on this horse. He goes so fast at the canter my arms were aching after the first lesson on him. I pride myself in riding suck an expirienced horse at my level of riding but i can't get better at riding till I get stronger, even my jump possition seems weak on him. Any exercises i could do to strengthen my back? it's really my back that needs the strengthening and I can' think of any exercises to do on my spare time to becomse stronger, any sugestions at all?

[Cheeky]

Hey there,

Leaning forwards is a common problem .. and most of us go through it :) And luckily you have caught yourself doing this and you sound willing to fix this - most beginners will ignoor it :) So congrats on that!!

Okay .. so are you saying that your back is weak, or you find yourself tipping forwards due to some other reason?? Is your back sore?

I personally have a mild case of scoliosis, and sitting up straight for me was one of the most painful experiences of my life, but now I have trained myself I am fine and pain free :)

To help you keep your back straight and strengthen yourself, just in everyday life always sit straight, dont slouch. Try keeping your shoulders back - you'll also look more elegant, especially in a dress (I dont wear them so I'm all good hehe). To do this, stand up, roll your shoulders forwards, then up, then back, and release ... thats where they should be. Also, when riding, sit up straight and with your left hand put it by your side, and your right hand hold out straight infront of you - and that's the perfect position for riding.

So .. as I was saying before. In everyday life keep your back straight, shoulders back, head held high but natural ...

You said your arms ached?? Are you pulling constantly on the reins?? If so, try a pull-release :) Ask the horse for three seconds, then as soon as you feel a tiny bit in slowing down, release. Obviously for a while each time you release the horse will speed up again .. so keep asking and releasing ... he'll learn :)

Good luck

[LongShot]

Thank, I'll try that. I knowticed that i do slouch alot in school so That should help! I guess just really bad posture, Thanks for the tips I'll start right away!

[kedwards]

From your description, you are probably correct in your assessment that the problem lies in your back and abdominal muscles (in most cases, it is actually more the latter than the former).

pilates and yoga exercises can be great for core strength, especially since they also focus on the type of balance and body-awareness that is so important for riding.

In the gym, workouts on a big fitness ball, crunches, back extensions, etc., can all be helpful.

[jumpinintherai]

This may not be the answer your looking for but if you are not advancing of the horse you are currently riding maybe you should suggest another horse? I've had to do this a time or too when I found on some new horses I became very nervous just asking the horse for a trot or canter, and if the horse is too advanced for you it really is hard to learn.