Yoga, cardio and nutrition improves rider fitness

We ask a lot of our horses. They must carry us and a saddle and balance our weight with their own while they do anything from walk on a rocky trail to complex dressage movements to jumping fences.

Their fitness is important and we design many fitness plans to increase our horses’ ability to carry out these tasks.

But what about rider fitness? How can we ask our horses to perform movements that require stamina, strength and flexibility when our own fitness does not mirror theirs? We are working as a team, after all, and teams train together. But how do you design a fitness plan with riding in mind?

Start with your core. Our core muscles are directly related to our balance, which is one of the biggest requirements when riding a horse. They also protect our spine in the event of a fall. Yoga, balancing exercises and old-fashioned sit-ups and crunches can be very beneficial to improving your riding.

Cardio. I have been teased that the horse does all the work and I just sit atop, basically sipping tea and eating crumpets. Hardly. Try riding an upper level dressage test or galloping cross-country without getting winded. The rider is working as much as the horse is if they are giving their aids correctly. And because we must give our aids at precisely the right moment, it is crucial that we be able to breathe simultaneously. Spend 30 minutes a day on your cardio either in the gym or while hiking, walking your horse or dog, or cycling. You’ll notice a difference immediately.

Flexibility. In simple changes of direction, we ask our horses to contract one side of their body and stretch the other. We ask them to move laterally to stretch their hips and strengthen their backs. As a rider, we must mirror that flexibility. My favorite exercise to increase flexibility is yoga, but even simple stretches can improve your riding.

Nutrition and overall health. Before our horses’ start any exercise regimen, we make sure they are current with their shots, in good health, and that their feet are healthy and balanced to support their weight and ours. Be sure to give yourself the same ‘once-over’ to rule out any problems. Especially if you have had injuries in the past, be sure to consult a physician before you begin anything new. And make those meals count! Healthy eating can correct many problems in our bodies, just like our horses!