The arms are constantly working when you are riding. The biceps especially tend to carry the horse’s imbalances, which is why it’s so important that a rider’s biceps are strong enough to endure the corrections they make to maintain the connection between the horse and rider. For…
Develop your upper back with this great posterior engagement exercise. You can do the cobra by lying on the ground or on a BOSU ball. Start with your hands by your hips, thumbs up, palms out. Focus on contracting your glutes, flex the muscles in your back, and squeeze your…
One of the easiest and best squats for equestrians to do on a regular basis, as it recruits the thighs and glutes, is the Plié Squat. These are the same muscles riders activates when they’re using their “seat.” Plus, the angles at which the feet, knees,…
By Bridget Braden Riders need their core to develop a solid neutral position between the shoulders and the hips. The prayer crunch is a great exercise to teach just that. The same muscle recruitment you use to do this exercise will stabilize you in the saddle.…
Rowing is a basic mechanic causing the arm to move backward. Elbows can and will move behind the stomach at the fullest range of motion in the pulling/rowing mechanic. To a horse, rowing or pulling is intended to bend and flex the body. A row should…
People and horses are usually stronger on one side of their body than the other, that’s why most of us are right or left handed. It’s OK, unevenness is natural and no one is perfect. But it’s important for all athletes, especially riders to be aware…
This article is part two of our spotlight on strengthening the hamstrings. Once you’ve conquered donkey kicks (see last month’s article), try a bridge on the stability ball. After one minute, you’ll wonder how you have the strength to keep your hamstrings engaged during your whole…
Riding naturally overworks a rider’s quadricep and causes the hip flexors to tighten. This can make it hard to keep your leg lengthened in the tack and even result in your knees creeping up. To combat these imbalances all equestrians should focus on strengthening their hamstrings off…
The Lat Pull Down Exercise: Lat Pull Down, Wide Grip Primary Muscle Group: Latissimus Dorsi Secondary Muscle Groups: Tricep & Pectoral muscles The amount of strength and stabilization needed in the latissimus dorsi is highly underestimated by equestrian athletes. The lats connect the back of the shoulder, under…
By Bridget Braden All humans and horses are asymmetrical; these imbalances limit a horse from doing everything perfectly symmetrical, such as bending equally left and right and yielding off both left and right legs the same. Similarly when riders are…
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