Rider Biomechanics.... Why?? What is it?? Who is it for??

❓ How do you become a better rider... by NOT RIDING?

🤸‍♀️ Well, the answer is as simple as this...

🏋️‍♀️ Targeted training for YOU and YOUR body, that's how!

🤔 We think we can become a better rider by simply riding more, but the reality is, the muscles we recruit for riding need support from other muscle groups too, and unless we are training them too, we end up with aches, pain, imbalances, tightness and restrictions. This can be enough to cause the horse to become a reflection of this, maybe you are calling the chiro/physio or saddle fitter regularly to address muscles tightness, saddle slips, shortening strides on one rein, even lameness!

**Caveat: ALWAYS ensure your horse is number 1 for soundness at ALL times!

Things to look out for which suggest you might need “off horse support” might be all/any of the following:

• Losing stirrups
• Slipping to the left/right (especially in canter)
• Feeling like one stirrup is always shorter than the other, even when you have removed both leathers and counted/measured them against each other
• Lower leg swinging
• Gripping with the knee/calf
• Feeling upright but when you watch a video of yourself you are tipping forward
• Unable to sit to the canter
• Unable to sit to the trot
• Relying on the reins to balance (even if you think you don’t – try a lung lesson and ride without your reins, you will soon see)
• Lower leg insecure when jumping
• “Rubs” on the horse’s side, do you find a balding patch where your leg hangs?

I could go on for a while here, but these tend to be the main issues I see daily.

Simply being “aware” of the issue won’t solve it – sadly – as your muscle memory is programmed to ride the way you do and will simply revert to its memory as soon as you think about something else.

The way to correct any “on horse, rider” issue is to address the underlying issues off the horse which allows the body to learn new programmes and then apply them to the ridden work again.

Ah, but what about all the rider aids there are on the market? Hand straps, leg straps, stirrup straps, oh lord the list is endless, well, in the short term these may be seen to help, however the reality is that simply tying your stirrup to the girth, or strapping your hands together is only addressing that issue, your entire body works as a whole, so bouncing hands for example, this is usually an insecure seat/hip issue, not a hand issue, but the brain says “yep, that’s stopped my hands moving” however you have merely addressed what is perceived as the problem, not the ACTUAL problem.

Working OFF the horse is more important than the vast majority of riders give it credit for, they see it like “going to the gym” which some riders do, but do you use the correct machines for YOUR ridden issues? Simply working on machines which you enjoy might help, but genuinely you require guided help, riding is not like any other sport when it comes to fitness!

So, what do you do to improve? Well put simply, there are component parts to focus on, cardio, muscles, (no, not like the world’s strongest man!), suppleness, resistance work, balance, agility, symmetry and breathing! (YES - BREATHING!) Amongst other bits, all tailored to the individual’s specific needs.

How often do you do these tailored exercises? In the perfect world you would do them daily, but even if you only managed 3 times a week, that’s 3 times more than you did previously.

We spend an extortionate amount of time and money on our horses, we invest in them, physios, farrier, tack check, etc… everything to ensure our horses can do the job we ask of them, so surely it makes sense to invest in YOURSELF and therefore put further investment into your horse by being the very best you can?

If any of this resonantes with you, get in touch and join the army of riders who have discovered how to enhance their riding, by not riding!