| Pilates focuses on core postural muscles helping to | | | | any horse and look good doing it. Teach yourself to |
| keep the body balanced. When we ride horses, | | | | understand how to use those core postural muscles |
| posture is so important to give a deep stable seat and | | | | precisely for riding |
| the ability to apply aids. | | | | Riding a horse is a workout in itself and the fitness of |
| Being able to learn new skills in the form of exercise | | | | the rider is often overlooked. Like any athlete, they are |
| for yourself as the rider instead of focusing on training | | | | unique to their sport. Physical strength is needed as |
| of your horse is new and revolutionary. | | | | well as flexibility. Combining pilates and physiotherapy |
| As a rider, it is up to you to train your horse but it is | | | | ensures both of these results are achieved. |
| also up to you to be fit and healthy. Why not focus on | | | | As a nervous rider for many years, I overcame that |
| those muscles which you use specifically for riding. | | | | and developed my skills to relax and gain the |
| Learn about muscles you did not know you had. Train | | | | confidence so that both my horse and I would have an |
| yourself to find those muscles, test them and then | | | | enjoyable ride. No matter if you are just riding for |
| apply them to improve flexibility of your pelvis and | | | | pleasure, both English and Western, jumping or doing |
| lower back. Even if you have a weak back, those | | | | competitive riding to the highest level, these exercises |
| supporting muscles can be developed to protect your | | | | have been developed for all riders. |
| back. | | | | Pilate exercises are practiced off the horses until |
| Teach yourself to stay upright in a correct position. | | | | those targeted muscles have developed and |
| Teach yourself to have full control of deep core | | | | strengthened, then advance and try the new skills |
| muscles. Teach yourself to have a deep, independent | | | | while riding. I did not realize how much my muscles |
| stable seat. Teach yourself to apply subtle aide with | | | | were undeveloped until I set targets and achieved |
| effective skills. Teach yourself to be highly effective on | | | | levels of fitness. |