I am a rider and have competed up to International level. I am a Physiotherapist and a Pilates Educator. I have had numerous injuries from falls and working with horses and I practice what I preach and teach and have been able to continue riding at a high level with success. I teach equestrian exercises which are pilates based exercises specific for the horse rider.
Pilates Specific for Horse Riders
This is what I use as my equestrian exercises. Any body can attend and follow a pilates class and most likely improve their posture and fitness. This will not improve your riding.There are so many available these days and at a great cost. If you want to follow pilates to improve your riding you need to look at a specific program designed just for horse riders.
You Need to Learn Pilates
When I am working I ask my patients do they do Pilates. I have heard so many say they tried, it but it did not do them any good. These are the classes that are not teaching their pupils about Pilates they are only giving follow the leader classes. Horse Riders are in this category, you need to learn Pilates and apply it to your riding not just follow a leader doing exercises.
I ask my riding pupils if they have heard of Pilates....some are getting interested, they have heard it is good for posture.
In many of my riding pupils I see poor posture, round shoulders, stiff lower back, weak upper back, poor lower leg stability and certainly poor sit trot and loose in the seat at the canter.
How Can Equestrian Exercises Help?
Look at yourself before you blame the horse!
When I give a riding lesson I look at the riders posture first. The horse will always go better with a better rider. The horse will only be as good as the rider will allow, not ask. I teach riders about their own posture problems first. We look at upper body strength and the ability to hold the shoulders square not round. We asses the strength of the back muscles and how these work in dressage riding. I test the abdominals and the strength of the core muscles. This is the single most important muscle to have strong and functioning in the horse rider. These are specific equestrian exercises for the rider
I Teach Pilates For Horse Riders as the main Equestrian Exercises To Follow
A rider must learn how to initiate and engage the deep transverse Abdominal muscle to apply core stability in the saddle. This is an equestrian exercise.
The lower back also must be flexible and have the ability to tilt forwards and backwards as it rolls in rhythm with the horses hind leg movement. Specific stretches to gain this is an equestrian exercise. A stiff lower back will stop this movement the horse will tighten and resist. A rider following certain equestrian exercises such has Applied Posture Riding will be able to fix these problems.
Many instructors are able to see the rider problems but not tell how to fix them.
As A Physiotherapist I can assess the problems I see riders have with their posture. As a rider I know how to ride and I know how to instruct. As a Pilates teacher I teach core stability strength and function. I have been able to teach riders specific Pilates based movement patterns and apply pilates concepts in the saddle. This program is Called Applied Posture Riding. For more very unique equestrian exercise follow the links below and improve your riding.
Annette Willson
1. Physiotherapist
2. Pilates Teacher
3. Elite Horse Rider
Pilates For Horse Riders
