IdahoSpud
2007-01-06 20:43:25 UTC
Exercising on Horseback
Many people go to the gym to stretch their muscles and get a little
exercise. The gym can be boring, not to mention sweaty and crowded.
There are ways to get some exercise without going to the gym. Me, I go
to the arena. Horseback riding is one of the best forms of exercise for
humans in the world. Besides that, riding a horse is more fun than
sweating for an hour on a stationary bike. You can also use the back of
your horse as your own 'yoga mat'. There are a few exercises you
can do to actually help with your balance while riding that will also
help you on your own two feet. All you will need is a horse, a lunge
line and a friend.
Having a friend hold the lunge line in the center of a circle, get on
your horse, but do not use any reins. Have the lunge line clipped to
the horse's halter. You can control the horse with your legs, but
your friend is there to ensure nothing goes wrong. While the horse is
standing still, hold your arms hold your arms out straight from your
body, horizontal to the ground. Take your right hand and reach up to
touch the poll on the top of your horse's head. Move back to the
starting position. Now reach over and touch your right hand to your
left knee then move back to the starting position. Then reach over and
touch your right hand to your left boot, then back to the starting
position. If you can't reach your left boot, just reach as far as you
can. Now reach back and touch the top of your horse's tail with your
right hand. Repeat these steps with your left hand, always returning to
the starting position before the next stretch. After doing this
exercise with each hand, try all of the steps while your horse is
walking. If you are feeling brave and are sure of your balance, try
these exercises trotting and then cantering each way.
Another great exercise is to ride without stirrups. This will help with
your balance in the saddle while strengthening your abs, upper leg and
back muscles. Start out at a walk until you get comfortable and move
into a trot and then canter. Keep your hands low and still, don't
hold on to anything unless you feel you will lose your balance. This
can come in handy when you lose your stirrups while riding during
competition or trail riding. A different version of this exercise that
is more difficult is to ride bareback. Riding bareback can strengthen
many muscles in your body while also bringing you closer to your
horse's movements.
An exercise that will help you feel every movement made by your horse
is to ride with your eyes closed and without holding on with your
hands. Start out walking, but try to guess where each hoof of your
horse is. Try to feel as each hoof is put down and move your hands in
motion with it. For example, when your horse starts trotting, move your
hands in the same motion you feel that your horse is making with his
front legs. The person in the center of the circle can let you know if
you are correct. Also do this exercise while cantering. This exercise
will help you recognize where your horse's legs are and what that
movement feels like. It can help you with lead changes also because you
will understand how and where your horse's legs are falling during
each stride and gait.
All of these exercises can help improve your balance and rhythm in and
out of the saddle while keeping you active and moving. Practicing these
exercises weekly can help you strengthen muscles, add rhythm and
balance to your riding and become closer and more comfortable with your
horse.
http://www.horsechitchat.com/equinearticles
Many people go to the gym to stretch their muscles and get a little
exercise. The gym can be boring, not to mention sweaty and crowded.
There are ways to get some exercise without going to the gym. Me, I go
to the arena. Horseback riding is one of the best forms of exercise for
humans in the world. Besides that, riding a horse is more fun than
sweating for an hour on a stationary bike. You can also use the back of
your horse as your own 'yoga mat'. There are a few exercises you
can do to actually help with your balance while riding that will also
help you on your own two feet. All you will need is a horse, a lunge
line and a friend.
Having a friend hold the lunge line in the center of a circle, get on
your horse, but do not use any reins. Have the lunge line clipped to
the horse's halter. You can control the horse with your legs, but
your friend is there to ensure nothing goes wrong. While the horse is
standing still, hold your arms hold your arms out straight from your
body, horizontal to the ground. Take your right hand and reach up to
touch the poll on the top of your horse's head. Move back to the
starting position. Now reach over and touch your right hand to your
left knee then move back to the starting position. Then reach over and
touch your right hand to your left boot, then back to the starting
position. If you can't reach your left boot, just reach as far as you
can. Now reach back and touch the top of your horse's tail with your
right hand. Repeat these steps with your left hand, always returning to
the starting position before the next stretch. After doing this
exercise with each hand, try all of the steps while your horse is
walking. If you are feeling brave and are sure of your balance, try
these exercises trotting and then cantering each way.
Another great exercise is to ride without stirrups. This will help with
your balance in the saddle while strengthening your abs, upper leg and
back muscles. Start out at a walk until you get comfortable and move
into a trot and then canter. Keep your hands low and still, don't
hold on to anything unless you feel you will lose your balance. This
can come in handy when you lose your stirrups while riding during
competition or trail riding. A different version of this exercise that
is more difficult is to ride bareback. Riding bareback can strengthen
many muscles in your body while also bringing you closer to your
horse's movements.
An exercise that will help you feel every movement made by your horse
is to ride with your eyes closed and without holding on with your
hands. Start out walking, but try to guess where each hoof of your
horse is. Try to feel as each hoof is put down and move your hands in
motion with it. For example, when your horse starts trotting, move your
hands in the same motion you feel that your horse is making with his
front legs. The person in the center of the circle can let you know if
you are correct. Also do this exercise while cantering. This exercise
will help you recognize where your horse's legs are and what that
movement feels like. It can help you with lead changes also because you
will understand how and where your horse's legs are falling during
each stride and gait.
All of these exercises can help improve your balance and rhythm in and
out of the saddle while keeping you active and moving. Practicing these
exercises weekly can help you strengthen muscles, add rhythm and
balance to your riding and become closer and more comfortable with your
horse.
http://www.horsechitchat.com/equinearticles