Rider stretches with This Esme

Posted 28th May 2021

Check out This Esme’s exercises to help you become a more flexible rider

This Esme rider stretches

We’re quick to help our ponies become supple and loose through schooling exercises, but it’s easy to forget that we riders need to be flexible, too! I like to do a series of stretches each day to help me loosen up, improve my balance and strengthen my core. Here are some of my fave rider pilates exercises that you can easily try at home or at the yard.

Top tip

When you’re doing your pilates sesh, make sure you wear comfy clothes that allow you to move. Plus, it’s surprising how warm you get when you’re working your legs and core!

Stretching exercise: Reach up

This exercise will challenge your balance and help stretch out your sides. It’s a good way to check if you’re evenly balanced on both sides of your body which is important for changes of rein.

Set it up

If you need to cushion your knee, you can pop a pillow underneath.

How do it

  1. Stand with your arms by your sides and position one leg in front of you and one leg behind you, with your feet pointing forwards.
  2. Get into position by lowering yourself down until the leg that’s behind you is kneeling and your front leg is bent at a 90o angle.
  3. Next, place one hand on your hip and reach the other arm straight up in the air.
  4. Carefully lean your torso to one side around your bent arm. Make sure you engage your core so that your hips stay square.
  5. Repeat the stretch three more times, then carefully stand up, reposition, and have a go the opposite way.

This Esme rider stretches

For more limbering exercises, grab a copy of July PONY, on sale 2 June 2021.

 

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