| Horse riding is sport for both genders and all ages. | | | | Some are just plain horse lovers at heart. |
| Horse riding is the only sport in the Olympics where | | | | I have been a rider all my life and adult riding is a sport I |
| both male and females compete in the same event. | | | | endorse. I have been lucky enough to live on my |
| There is no age advantage either. Adult Riding lessons | | | | results as a successful competitor and trainer. I have |
| are a must though. Young up and coming riders | | | | trained many new adult riders into the sport and love |
| compete against the older experienced riders. Adults | | | | seeing the success. |
| taking up riding do have the opportunity to aim for this | | | | My tips for adult riding are to get a good start with |
| high standard. Adults taking up riding at an older age do | | | | excellent basics. It is important to follow an expert. |
| suffer some disadvantages. It is a great sport for fun, | | | | As a Physiotherapist I am a strong believer in good |
| for fitness, for posture, and for socializing. It does cost | | | | posture and core strength. Strong abdominals is the |
| a lot of time and money but it is a sport so worth it. | | | | most important training for adult riding and a rider can |
| Adult Riders tend to have a number of problems, | | | | start to get the best grounding for riding. A strong core |
| mostly due to their age. Adult riding can have its | | | | and riding posture will give the adult riding position |
| problems. These need to be addressed. | | | | strength, and hence the confidence to learn the |
| Fear of falling and having an injury can inhibit a person | | | | movement patterns required for riding. Riding requires |
| from achieving better skills. | | | | symmetry, flexibility and posture control. These |
| Posture problems for example round shoulders and | | | | features can be trained on the floor and the physio ball. |
| tight hips will interfere with the feel of the horse. | | | | I strongly recommend the Applied Posture Riding |
| Pain in body parts, due to injury or degenerative | | | | program for a new adult rider to follow, in conjunction |
| disease inhibits the postural muscle from becoming | | | | with a good on the ground riding instructor. |
| strong. Pain in particular stops the deep core muscles | | | | If and adult rider is able to learn riding from the start |
| from functioning. | | | | rather than just get on and feel the insecurity then they |
| Old or current injuries play havoc on concentration | | | | will not be deterred with fear. Pain in the back will stop |
| Stiffness in their spine will stop the pelvis from moving | | | | a rider being in tune with the horse. The horse then |
| in tune with the horse | | | | resists and stiffens up. The end result is a battle. This |
| Habitual movement patterns for example a head tilt | | | | can be prevented if riders learn riding and the |
| cause the posture to alter in the saddle. | | | | movement patterns on the ground. |
| Adult riders are very one sided, we have had more | | | | By understanding your own weakness in your body |
| time to become like this. We have less time to put into | | | | and being able to train these individual problems the |
| training, because we work. Adult Riders have more | | | | adult rider will succeed quicker and with more fun. |
| money though to spend on lessons. | | | | By following a simple exercise program designed by a |
| These problems are only problems if not addressed. | | | | physiotherapist and elite rider the horse rider is far |
| Many adult riders have had a passion to learn to ride | | | | more likely to achieve their goals. I strongly recommend |
| since they where small. Some have developed the | | | | the Applied Posture Riding Program. Good luck to you |
| passion watching the popularity of the sport grow. | | | | all. |