As equestrians, our love for our horses goes beyond just riding. We cherish the bond we share with them and want to ensure the comfort, health, and performance of our teammates. We spend hours grooming until they shine, practicing new riding exercises to expand our skills, researching cool new products, and investing in their health, so we can do the absolute best we can for them.

One crucial aspect of horse care that can be easy to overlook, is the impact that our own physical fitness can have on their well-being. Strength training, in particular, can be a game-changer for both riders and their horses. Let’s explore the positive impact that strength training for equestrians can have on our horses, beyond our own personal gains.

1. A BALANCED AND EFFECTIVE RIDER

When we are crooked in the saddle, our horses have to compensate for that as they carry us. Think about the comfort of carrying a balanced load vs. an imbalanced load the next time you carry groceries in - would you rather carry everything with one arm or evenly distribute the weight across both? Over time, the imbalances we have in the saddle can become our horses’ imbalances and this can cause discomfort or pain, and impact performance and well-being.

When riders have a strong core, stable hips, and balanced posture, it allows us to maintain a more secure and centered seat in the saddle, maintain proper alignment, and apply consistent aids. By improving our own balance and stability through strength training, we can contribute to a happier and healthier horse.

2. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH CLEAR AIDS

Effective communication between horse and rider is crucial in every discipline. A rider with good strength and coordination can provide clear aids to their horse, allowing for precise and consistent cues. Strength training can improve a rider’s coordination by enhancing proprioception, which is the ability to sense and control our body movements. This translates into clearer, more accurate aids, helping our horses to understand what is being asked of them. This can lead to improved responsiveness and performance and a more harmonious partnership with our horses.

3. INCREASED ENDURANCE AND STAMINA

Riding is physically demanding, requiring us to use a variety of muscle groups to maintain our position and execute aids effectively. Strength training helps to build muscle endurance which allows us to sustain our position in the saddle for longer periods without getting tired. This is especially important for competitions when we have to maintain a high level of performance for an extended period of time. If you’ve gotten the chance to compete in a horse show recently, you know that “Sunday energy” is very different from “Thursday energy”. When riders are physically fit and have good muscle endurance, we are less likely to become tired and lose effectiveness in the saddle so less likely to cause discomfort or confusion in our horses.

4. IMPROVED CONFIDENCE AND MENTAL FOCUS

Strength training not only benefits our physical abilities but also our mental well-being. A physically fit rider tends to have improved confidence, focus, and mental resilience which are crucial for effective riding. These skills allow us to make quick decisions, stay calm in challenging situations, and provide clear communication to our horses. Since horses are so in tune with our emotions and energy, our own positive outlook and confidence positively influences their behavior and performance as well.

As an equestrian, including strength training into your routine can have a profound impact on your riding performance and your horse’s well-being. By investing time and effort into your physical fitness, you can become a stronger, more balanced rider which can positively impact your horse’s comfort, performance, confidence, and overall happiness. So hit the gym to become strong in the saddle.

Your horse will thank you!

Court