Just the other day I was day dreaming and thinking back to when I first started in Parelli. I made a list of all the things I did that first few years and I even amazed myself as to how disciplined I was in my journey to level 3.
One thing I did then that I am attempting to bring back into my life is that I focused on my own physical fitness.
I searched and researched exercises that were good for riding. When I heard a term like Feldenkrais and Rolfing or myofascial release I looked it up to see how it might apply to my riding. I started my own little workout routine consisting of stretches and strength building exercises. I focused a lot on the hips and lower back.
At the time I just threw some things together, it was pretty hap hazard but it got results. I now realize that I was working on my core and know how important strength in the core is to riding and almost any other physical activity.
I came across this 9 minute video that gives some simple exercises for strengthening your back and core. I’ve been doing them for several days and I can already feel a difference in my posture.
Like I said they are real simple and can be done in less than 10 minutes. Although this is not specifically about riding, strengthening your core and correcting your posture will make a big difference in your riding.
I hope this gives you a starting point and that you will do your own research and discover a path for you to become more fit and enjoy your life to a greater degree.
Please leave a comment and share how your fitness level has affected your riding.
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Tags: Core strength
Leave A Reply (13 comments So Far)
Yvonne Knight
574 days ago
This is so important to do “as we get older” to stay limber and strong. I have been doing these for 2 years since I broke my hip (got bucked off!) I never would have been able to get back to riding without it. I am riding my 2 horses again with comfort!
Marcia Armstrong
576 days ago
Jerry, Thanks for sharing. I can already tell the shoulder exercises are going to help me a lot.
Melinda Schroeder
577 days ago
Jerry, thanks so much! My horse did a swivel when his dame spooked back in Sept. Once my boot came off I was a gonner. My ribs still pop out of place. My back is what I landed on, and it still swells in places. Laying on the floor is something I have been able to do for awhile now. This exercise is helping me. It has loosened things up. I hope it will help my posture too. Time will tell, I believe it will though.
Ingrid henigar
577 days ago
Hello Jerry,
Isolating my lower back, as in the Pelvic tilt excerise, is allowing me to follow my horse’s HQ movement in the canter. It’s just the release my horse and I needed.
Thank you.
Ingrid
Bryony Anderson
578 days ago
Thanks so much for making this available to us, Jerry! What perfect timing… I teach Yoga for Equestrians, and this month the class theme is “Neutral Pelvis and Core Strength.” It is great to learn some more exercises I can share with my students, and help us all to become better partners for our horses.
Leslie
578 days ago
Good morning everyone,
Jerry, Any more to add in to the mix? that elbow one is a killer. just finished todays routine added them in and I can feel my muscles still warm and stimulated in the shoulder area, its great.
Nancy Ness
579 days ago
Morning Jerry!
Thanks so much for sending the email, and then posting this video on your BLOG. I’ve been looking for something that would help me with core muscles. This is a great place to start.
I’ll let you know how it goes, but from the way I feel after following this video the first time, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be effective.
Nancy, smiling and out the door for chores
christine
579 days ago
thanks for the info..I am going to include these in my routine..it is a nice mix with our tai chi for riders exercises!
Heidi
579 days ago
I’m always looking for new back exercises, these are different from the ones I have been doing, so look forward to using them thanks!
Leslie
579 days ago
Short and sweet is a big draw. I love my Palates but time to get to class is not readily avail. These are great. I love the ground time for ‘static back” but my favorite is the shoulder/elbow touch. yicks.
I hold a lot of stress in my shoulder neck area…. this is great.
Core work is crucial to riding to keep you steady and in tune with your horse. I know im working to get my guys to build up with core work, why not me too. Mirror them , if they have to lift up in middle we need to also.
Thanks Jerry
Elisabeth
579 days ago
Thank you very much!! I will try this. It´s 14 days until a clinic with David Lichman and what a chanse to get more prepared .
Jerry
579 days ago
I have been doing them for a little over a week now and I can feel a difference. When my back is tired I like the one where you just lie on your back with your feet on a stool. So simple but very effective.
Colleen S.
579 days ago
These exercises were so simple, yet, so effective. I felt the effects 5 or 10 minutes after doing them. I do yoga and lots of leg lifts to build and maintain strength and flexibility and jog 3 or 4 miles 4 to 5 days a week—but because of “older” joints there are days when I can’t jog. It is important for Senior riders to adopt an exercise program that addresses strength, balance, and flexibility. This 9 minute exercise routine appears to address strength of core, flexibility of back, and strength of shoulders. I’ll try them for 2 weeks and then get back to you.