How to Apply Pilates in Horse Riding

The Use of Pilates in Horse Riding.saddle. Horse riding requires specific training of
It seems everyone has heard of Pilates and very fewmovement patterns to gain the maximum functional of
people actually know what Pilates is.the deep core muscles.
So what is Pilates?This cannot be taught by a gym trainer or aerobics
Pilates was the name of the man who discovered theteacher.
function of the deep Transverse Abdominal musclePilates is essential in learning all of the movement
with respect to spinal stability. The exercising of thispatterns required for riding. But learning Pilates and just
muscle has been labeled Pilates. The exercisingdoing core stability exercises will not improve your
fraternity has picked this up and marketed it as theriding unless you learn how to use core stability and
new wave exercise regime. Gym trainers, personalpractice the specific movement patterns.
trainer's aerobics teachers are all giving Pilates classes.The walk is a four beat pace; the weight of the rider
Unfortunately the true function of this muscle and itsshould be in the seat with some in the stirrups. The
biomechanics is not well understood by many of thesebody should be upright and the hands forward of the
people and the teaching of it is not complete. Manysaddle. The pelvis should move up and forward in
people think they are doing Pilates and in fact they arerhythm with the horses hind legs. Therefore as the left
not.hip of the horse moves forward the riders left hip
Pilates is the function of the deep core abdominalshould roll up and forward the right hip will drop and
muscles and simply drawing your tummy in to do anstay in rhythm with the right hind leg. This is a rolling tilt
exercise is NOT Pilates.movement of the pelvis. In order to stay upright and
So how can Pilates be of use to the Horse Rider?basically appear still the upper body will move in a
Horse riding is unlike many other sports. The ridingcounter opposite movement. The hands should move
posture is a very static posture. Most ball or athleticforward and backwards in time with the horses head
sports are what we call dynamic, which is, fast movingnod. The appearance of all this is the rider is STILL.
in many directions. Horse riding requires symmetry andThis can be taught to every rider.
strength from both sides of the body. It requires all theThe walk is the easiest movement pattern to learn
limbs to contribute together and separately. It requiresand really all that is happening is the rider is in tune with
coordination, feel and precision from all body parts.their horse. Why do some find even the walk so
Most sports a one sided using one dominate sidedifficult? If a rider has a stiff lower back that can not tilt
repetitively e.g. tennis.Humans are not natural at feelingor rotate then the movement will be blocked. If a rider
movement and rhythm through their seat. We mostlyhas weak upper back strength the body will wobble or
feel with our hands. We find it difficult to coordinate leftremain stiff. The horse will find a free walk difficult; all
and right together let alone feet and hands and seatsorts of resistance actions come in. The horse will not
together.relax and hold his head high; there may be NO head
When we analyze what is required to ride well wenod. The hind wont step through, the horse may 2
actually understand riding isn't that easy. The goodtrack or jig or rush ect ect ect. This is only the walk.
riders make it appear easy. Why?If a rider has been taught how to engage test and train
What does a good rider have that the other riderthe deep core muscles (Pilates) and also learn the
doesn't have?walking movement patterns on a big ball then this can
Well in most cases they have a natural feel for abe practiced and then applied in the saddle. Once a
horse, an inbuilt talent and skill. This can be taught tomovement pattern has been established it will come
every rider.naturally. The trot, both sitting and rising can be trained
A good rider has a strong upright posture out of theon the ball, if the trainer knows the correct movement
saddle and good deep core stability with flexibilitypattern. The sit trot can be taught by learning how to
through the lower back and pelvis. This can be taughtengage the deep core muscles and coordinate the
to every rider.breathing pattern with the two beat foot fall pattern,
A good rider will have a stable strong spine whichonce learned the breathing pattern can be dropped
enables them to achieve good coordination of thebecause the sit trot is established. The canter can be
limbs and body movements for precise accurate aids.simulated with certain exercises just as easily. Postural
This can be taught to every rider.strength is a must to improve with the correct advice
A good rider has endurance and strength in all theirfor riding. This can be taught to every rider.
posture muscle. This can be taught to every rider.Pilates is simply the learning of HOW to initiate, test,
A good rider has the ability to use their hands, arms,train and function with core stability. The use of core
legs and lower back independently in specificstability in horse riding is more complicated than just
movement patterns, with sitting upright on a movingdoing Pilates based exercises.
horse. This can be taught to every rider.Being a Physiotherapist and Pilates Teacher and a
How can a Horse Rider Learn to Ride Better?past elite event competitor I have the skills and
There are many skills a rider can learn off the horse.knowledge to teach every rider about heir own
To establish and practice movement patterns that areposture and train them in Pilates Specific for Horse
similar to the riding movement will teach a rider to rideriders My Applied Posture Riding program has been
better.designed to teach riders how to do their own self
The absolute most important muscle to train and learnassessments and then fix them.
how to engage is the deep core abdominal muscles. AThis can be taught to every rider.
rider can then be taught how to use this power in the