PART THREE
Flexible to ride
Personal trainer Jo Collins shares her favourite workout that’ll get you feeling more flexible in no time
Photos: Equipassion UK, Jon Stroud
While we’re in the saddle, our bodies are expected to absorb every movement our horses make and, as we progress through the paces and then into jumping, the impact intensifies quickly. In order for us, and our horses, to enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride, we need to have flexible, supple and free joints and plenty of elasticity in our muscles.
This month, I’ve shaped the perfect workout for riders that focuses on flexibility and mobility. Here’s all you need to know.
Positive impact
Being flexible as a rider isn’t just about being able to move more freely with your horse. There are a whole host of other benefits to improving your flexibility. You’ll find it easier to…
• swing your leg clear of the back of your saddle when mounting and dismounting
• sit deeper and more evenly in the saddle
• keep your heels down
• stretch and hold your legs down and around your horse’s tummy, particularly important for flatwork
• push your hips back and stretch your arms forward when folding over a jump
• lift your leg over the saddle flap and bend down to tighten your girth
Putting it into perspective