Tag: exercises

This month’s unmounted exercise is focused on your Iliotibial Band (ITB) – a fibrous band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee. The band can become tight or inflamed with use and is most commonly noticed by runners however as riders, we can feel it too sometimes! Tightness or discomfort in this area (hips and knees usually) may arise due to the rotated, toes-pointed-forwards, knees bent position we try to maintain while riding, and combined with knee instability or weak muscles, this band can be strained.

As with most of these exercises, doing them three to four times a week is ideal.

Continue reading “Rider Exercise of the Month – The ITB Stretch” →

This month’s unmounted exercise can be helpful for those with Sciatica (something I suffer with myself!) or with tension in their piriformis muscle – both of which can occur in riders due to our position in the saddle, especially for those riding wider horses. As with most of these exercises, doing them three to four times a week is ideal.

Continue reading “Rider Exercise of the Month – The Keyhole Stretch” →

This month’s unmounted exercise improves mobility in your back and hips, helps relieve tightness, and is very effective for opening the hips. Having a mobile back and hips is essential for maintaining an independent seat when you ride, and for allowing your horse to move more freely underneath you. As with most of these exercises, doing them three to four times a week is ideal.

Continue reading “Rider Exercise of the Month – The Couch Stretch” →

This month’s unmounted exercise can not only improve your riding posture, but help alleviate tightness and open up the muscles that we subconsciously tighten during the day, leading to slouching, and general poor posture. As with most of these exercises, doing them three to four times a week is ideal.

Continue reading “Rider Exercise of the Month – The Doorway Stretch” →