Exercise for Horseback Riding

Added: (Tue Oct 27 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Horseback riding in itself can be a great form of exercise. However, supplementing this activity can be an additional benefit to your health and easier on the horse.
You may ask how being fitter will be easier on the horse, but simply, if you are more toned and stronger you are capable of making yourself feel lighter to the horse with the positions you take on its back. However, if you are not as fit, toned and your positions are not rigid, the horse will feel the extra weight and it will have more pressure on it.
Having a general lack of fitness including a poor posture and general muscle imbalances can lead to horse riding less enjoyable for both yourself and the horse. Not being able to use certain muscles in our body can mean it can become more difficult to control the horse. This can also mean that it can cause stress to the horse.
If you only ride occasionally it can be vital that you keep up your fitness for the short times you get to be on horseback.
The main core fitness you will need is cardiovascular. By taking part in all aspects of horse riding such as, cleaning your barn out, on trial or show jumping, this can help strengthen your heart muscle, therefore your stamina will increase. Taking part in a physical activity for 13 minutes at least 3 times a week can help increase your cardio fitness.
It is sometimes good to keep a track of how hard your heart is working. Some trainers and riders do this with their horses to make sure they are not overworking the horse. This can be transferred to yourself.
If you are unable to get to a gym to increase your cardio, then simply using a skipping/jumping rope can help.
Stretching is a major part in any type of physical activity. It helps by warming up the muscles to prepare them for the activity itself. However, over stretching is not good for the body and only some types of stretches are useful.
Having a supple back is a key attribute in staying in motion with the horse.
Strength is the next main component of what you need to be fit to ride a horse. It is important in all factors of horse riding, from lifting up your saddle, cleaning hooves, and staying in control of the horse.
Using an exercise ball can be useful in aiding strength training (with press-ups etc) and with the stretching element.
So it shows that gaining an overall level of fitness can improve the riding experience for both rider and horse.