The rider’s muscles require specific training to be their best.

While sitting on a horse, there is little movement in the body and therefore in the joints. The rider’s muscles shorten and lengthen over a very small range; this is isometric work, as opposed to playing a racket sport or running.

Asa Physiotherapist I know about the muscles of horsemanship.

Let’s list the function of some of the muscles of horsemanship

The explanation of these muscles is described in detail in the Applied Posture Riding program.

hamstrings

0 bend the knee.

This is the muscle used to gain more momentum and a deeper independent seat.

quads

0 straightens the knee

used to jump

used in the uphill trot

calf muscle

It is not used in Horsemanship

It should be on the stretched side so that the heel is down.

Anterior calf muscle Tibialsis anterior

Keep foot up (heel down)

Lower back

Tilt your pelvis forward and backward.

Helps control the stability of the pelvis.

Must be strong to extend lower back at canter and sit

Abdominal

Tilt your pelvis forward and back.

Must be strong for strength and stability

Essential in all gaits, especially in the seated trot.

For full details on anatomy and biomechanics, take a look at Horse Riding with Applied Posture

Horseback riding requires a strong stance, and the riding muscles must have the stamina to cope with the long time they are expected to work.

The rider’s muscles must be equally strong and capable, both on the left and on the right. Horse riding muscles require specific training like most sports. Our work and home activities, as well as our jobs, are all repetitive and dominating. This is not ideal for developing riding posture. Riders need to develop and train their riding muscles alike.

How are the muscles of horsemanship trained?

The rider’s muscles can be individually tested and trained. The first step is to observe your own posture and lifestyle. Then learn how to individually test and train your own muscles. Once you know your own problems, you can fix them. If you have upper back weakness, you can target these exercises to strengthen this area. If you have a stiff lower back, you can stretch this area to increase flexibility. All this will improve your driving skills. There are many muscle tests to look at and many stretches to examine. Learning movement patterns and repeating them will also work to improve your driving.

Deep core muscles are essential. Teaching cyclists how to perform and train specific muscle movement patterns and how to practice them in their daily lives will enhance any exercise program.

Exercising your riding muscles on the gym ball is the best way to achieve results efficiently.

The ball becomes the saddle in a way and the riding position and aids can be practiced as movement patterns. The rider’s muscles are the target of the exercise session. The cyclist can roll the ball using the pelvis and hamstrings.

Mat exercises are perfect for stretching your riding muscles after a ride.

We tend to spend many hours in the saddle in a static posture, this will strain all the muscles of the rider. The muscles must be stretched or they tend to shorten and cause pain and malfunction, when remounted. Athletes from all sports are now training outside of their field. Riders are not following the trend and are doing the same for better skills and use of the body.

For more information on this program, please follow the links below. This program has become extremely popular with riders of all levels and all over the world.