Cross Breeds

What Exercises can I do to prepare myself for Track Riding Race horses?

March next year, i am doing a traineeship in Track riding/ Exercise riding. I have read and from my own knowledge no that its hard work and you have to be strong and physcally fit. I have horses at home and have been riding for 10/11 years. Is there anything else i can do to improve myself for the new style of riding and ways to build up my fitness and strength?

Public Comments

1. A basic program for horse rider exercises will teach riders how to engage their deep abdominal muscles. The use of specific braces for horse riders is also recommended. I recommend training the upper body and arms with a length of physio band on a big physio ball. This will build up the strength and endurance of the trunk and arm muscles. The position the horse rider adapts in the saddle needs to be practiced and the position of sitting on a ball simulates this. Sitting on the ball with yours legs wide apart and sitting up straight is equivalent to the riding position. By rolling the ball around in circles and forwards and backwards simulates he movement of the pelvis in the saddle. A horse rider needs good lower back movement and this exercise will free the joints up safely and with control. This horse rider exercise will also build the abdominal muscle strength. The ball exercise can be done while working on the computer or at the dinner table or in front of the TV. If this position is practiced often the endurance of the muscles is improved. If a rider is going to spend many hours at a time in the saddle then endurance is an important factor. To train the leg muscles for trotting simple wrap your legs around the ball and push up into stand, then control lowering yourself back onto the ball. This exercise simulates the rise trot. It will strengthen the quads and the inner thigh muscles.
2. squats, ab crunches, pull ups, strengthen both hands by squeezing a rubber ball, really advanced exercise is to squat like a jockey with a medicine ball held off the floor and between your knees while whipping another medicine ball behind you (Hey it worked for Tommy Smith and he won the Grand National).
3. Stay Active when possible, and incorporate these exercises designed especially for leg & upper body- ~ Squats using 5lb-10lb dumbbell weights ( I use 10lbs) is great for the legs and the lower body for strength and building. For upper body, push up and pull ups are great, also incorporate weights in your upper body routine...upper body strength is very important for the ladies, for this is what most us females lack. My routine consist of the above mostly..those along with the following I do as well, but not religiously. Squats incorporated with weights start out with 5lb weights in each hand, I use 10 are great.. This exercise targets the buttocks, quads and hamstrings. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms down at the sides. Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, keep eyes straight ahead. Bend knees until thighs are parallel to the floor as possible. Push through the heels and raise to starting position. Do not allow knees to move in front of toes. 3 sets, count of 15. ~ Push Ups..(putting your knees on floor is ok) This exercise works the chest muscles as well as the triceps and front of shoulders. .Palms on floor about a little less that shoulder width wide, starting away from the body, press up and go slowly back down. Do 3 sets, count of 15. ~ Triceps Press-Up... This exercise targets the muscles in back of the arm.. Grasp weights in each hand with overhand grip, palms facing inward. Bend arms so that weight is alongside the ear and elbow is pointing up. Extend arm upwards. Repeat. 3 sets, count of 15 ~ Biceps Curl: This exercise works the muscles in front of the arm. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with underhand grip, arms at sides. Bend arm, rotating hand and lifting weight to shoulder. Repeat. 3 sets, count of 15. ~ Abdominal Crunch: This exercise targets the abs. Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor. Place a thumb at each ear with fingers at the sides of head. Pull abs towards spine. Exhale and curl neck, head and shoulder blades off of floor. Lower back to start. 3 sets, count15. Exercises should be done every other day..one day in between is necessary for muscles to recover. Be sure to warm up a bit first, and eat nutritious foods and plenty of water. Make sure the nutritional content of your food is high. Make sure you get enough protein, plenty of vegetables and fruits, and whole grains for energy. This will encourage your body to shed fat, so that your new toned muscles will show. If you incorporate all the above, you will be stronger and will look fabulous in a month..good luck, stay healthy, be safe. :)