How Pilates Can Benefit Equestrians

Equestrian sports are unique in the fact that the horse rider’s ‘equipment’ is another living being, and many riders are prone to spend so much time taking care of their horse that they can neglect their health and well-being. It can easily slip the mind of a rider that it is the efficiency of their movements that directly impact the performance of the horse.

With constant shifting from one gait to another and a more forward riding position during speed work, it requires increased postural control and core and upper body strength to maintain balance.

This can also be an issue if you’ve recently suffered an injury that’s impacted your riding - whether the injury was through equestrian activities or not - and if you’re feeling stiff, weak, or limited in your riding, then Pilates classes in Delamere, Knutsford, and Nantwich could be the answer.

Pilates is a total-body approach to movement that is beneficial for equestrians of all disciplines and can help you regain your riding confidence following an injury sooner.

Nobody is more aware of this than I, after a serious horse riding accident that dislocated, twisted, and snapped my femur left me unable to walk, in pain, and suffering devastating mental effects from the discomfort I suffered and being unable to continue with my passion for horse riding.

However, Pilates-based physiotherapy helped to rebuild the strength in my leg, eventually leading, both figuratively and literally, to me getting back in the saddle, as well as starting my journey as a qualified Pilates instructor.

It is this impact that Pilates had on my recovery that helps me understand the desire in others to recover from injury and pain to be physically and mentally stronger and feel better about themselves.

Pilates for Injury and Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

PiIates is well-known for helping athletes gain toned abs and creating strong, lean muscles, and many sportsmen and women swear by its ability to improve their sports performance, from tennis superstars Andy Murray and Venus Williams to Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton and many more.

But Pilates has another very important application, the ability to aid injury rehabilitation. Andy Murray, mentioned above, used Pilates to help recover from back surgery, helping him regain his balance and strengthen his core.

Evidence has shown that Pilates can help with everything from back pain to recovery after a stroke, but you don’t have to be suffering from a serious injury to benefit from Pilates. Even if it’s just a persistent ‘niggle’ - and regardless of your level of equestrian activity, what horse rider hasn’t had an annoying niggle? - regular Pilates sessions can offer massive benefits.

The Importance of Good Riding Skills and Fitness

Horse riding and rider fitness have a direct impact on the performance of the horse. A fit rider will experience less fatigue, is less likely to suffer from injuries, and will enhance the horse’s performance.

Pilates can improve the capabilities of the rider and improve the perforce of both the rider and the horse, boosting the partnership, and potentially reducing the need for veterinary/equine osteopathy intervention.

If a rider is unbalanced in the saddle, it is not only uncomfortable for the horse, it can make the leg and rein aids more difficult to use correctly and lead to confusion. The horse will be unable to determine which aid is being applied and the incorrect balance and shifting of body weight will lead the horse to misunderstand the commands the rider is giving.

Pilates is a total-body approach to movement that can give a rider balance, strength, and flexibility. The emphasis on breathing and the deep postural muscles of the abdomen and back in the exercises help to create a fluid and graceful movement and help with coordinating the entire body.

These skills provide a solid foundation for good riding and practising Pilates in the calm and quiet of the studio will help develop tools that will be available when in the saddle. Let’s have a look at ways that Pilates can help your horse riding.

9 Ways Pilates Can Help Your Horse Riding

1. Improved Mobility

With improved mobility, particularly hip and shoulder mobility, you will gain greater control of your horse. Improved hip and pelvis mobility will allow for a greater ability to move your horse in three dimensions.

2. Improved Posture

Maintaining good posture is a major part of practising Pilates. When tired, or the horse is moving at speed, it can become difficult to maintain proper posture, but Pilates uses a combination of slow controlled movements and breathing that will show you how to maintain good posture when under duress.

3. Symmetry

Riding asymmetrically, with one dominant or tight side, can impact your riding in several ways, depending on how severe. It can put off your horse, leading to fences being knocked off while jumping or making it difficult for your horse to do a half pass. Pilates can help identify any asymmetries and help provide a program that will correct them.

4. Improved Awareness

Pilates will teach you about how we use our bodies in everyday life. We can all be prone to developing bad habits, to which we can be alerted by Pilates. For instance, being shown that you have high shoulders and a sticking-out stomach can help with making the small changes necessary to be more efficient in movement.

5. Improved Strength

Horse riders need to be physically strong to be able to control a sometimes unpredictable moving horse. This strength lies in the core, legs, and arms, which can be significantly improved by Pilates, and provide a much-improved ability to control a horse.

6. Ability to Relax

If you are unable to relax, it can be likely that the horse will not perform for you as desired, as the horse can sense your anxiety. Learning how to relax, even when exercising, is a major part of Pilates, and the mindful aspect of the exercises can help to reduce your levels of stress.

7. Increased Lung Capacity

Horse riding can be exhausting, and if you’re short of breath, your decision-making ability will be impacted, which can lead to mistakes. If you find that you’re often out of breath, then Pilates can help with working on increasing your lung capacity.

8. Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries

As mentioned, Pilates is used all around the world for the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, but it is also used to help prevent the occurrence or recurrence of an injury. Pilates can help strengthen different parts of the body and help reduce the risk of injury, which means more time in the saddle. Those annoying niggles such as a stiff back or neck can prevent you from riding, but Pilates can help these from becoming major issues.

9. Improved Fitness

Aside from injury prevention and rehabilitation, Pilates can give you a great workout, significantly improving your overall fitness. As you improve you can build up your repetitions, weight, and intensity so you can achieve a great burn. Improved fitness leads to feeling in much better shape when you're in the saddle, and be a major benefit to your riding.

Ready to Make A Change To Your Riding?

Whether you’re wanting to get back in the saddle after suffering from an injury, take care of some annoying niggles, or gain improved fitness to improve your riding, Pilates in Delamere, Nantwich and Knutsford can be very beneficial.

At CG Pilates we have first-hand experience with how Pilates can help Cheshire equestrians, so get in touch today to find out more!