There have been so many times that I have wanted to ride and for one reason or another have not been able too! Have you ever had that experience? Lame horse? Weather?
Did you know there are some fun ways to improve your riding when you don't have a horse to practice on? The one I really want is the cute one the jockeys ride to warm up in the jockey room but they are way out of my price range and I would probably get bucked off!!!!
The first one I like to call Bouncing Ball! For this, you need a BIG exercise ball, a little over inflated, preferably that your feet don't touch the ground when you are sitting on top of it in your riding position. (Hang on to Something!) Ride the ball. Picture the ball moving like a horse moves. The rhythm, the cadence, the feel of a moving horse. Just like any horse, start at the walk and see if you can "WALK" the ball.
Then you can move up to the trot. The hard part here is using the inside of your calf and not your knee to hang on to the ball. If you have someone that can help you, put a quarter under your leg in the correct position that you want your leg in and see if you can two point and hold the quarter. Then ride the Posting Trot! This is a LOT harder when you don't have the momentum of the horse helping you but it is still doable. You will thank me later for this one but your calves will want me to take a hike!
Cantering a BALL isn't for the faint of heart. Make sure you do both left lead and right lead on the BALL….yes, it does have two leads. The really cool thing about cantering on the ball, you will KNOW without a doubt which side is your weaker side. When you get that figured out, do 60% of the time on the HARD lead.
The second one is to use the bottom stair on a stair case. Get into riding position and go through the gates trying not to hold onto anything! Put your weight onto the ball of your foot through the bottom of your heel.
The third one is to get (Or make) a sturdy saddle stand and ride in your saddle! This one for me is the hardest because there is not "horse" there. If you can put pillows or something to feel like your leg is on a horse, it is much better and then ride like you are on a horse practicing all the things like above.
If you have enjoyed riding (minus the horse), here is a link to my small FB support/Cheerleading group for those of us that need a little extra encouragement: Happy, Courageous, Horse and Rider
Did you know there are some fun ways to improve your riding when you don't have a horse to practice on? The one I really want is the cute one the jockeys ride to warm up in the jockey room but they are way out of my price range and I would probably get bucked off!!!!
The first one I like to call Bouncing Ball! For this, you need a BIG exercise ball, a little over inflated, preferably that your feet don't touch the ground when you are sitting on top of it in your riding position. (Hang on to Something!) Ride the ball. Picture the ball moving like a horse moves. The rhythm, the cadence, the feel of a moving horse. Just like any horse, start at the walk and see if you can "WALK" the ball.
Then you can move up to the trot. The hard part here is using the inside of your calf and not your knee to hang on to the ball. If you have someone that can help you, put a quarter under your leg in the correct position that you want your leg in and see if you can two point and hold the quarter. Then ride the Posting Trot! This is a LOT harder when you don't have the momentum of the horse helping you but it is still doable. You will thank me later for this one but your calves will want me to take a hike!
Cantering a BALL isn't for the faint of heart. Make sure you do both left lead and right lead on the BALL….yes, it does have two leads. The really cool thing about cantering on the ball, you will KNOW without a doubt which side is your weaker side. When you get that figured out, do 60% of the time on the HARD lead.
The second one is to use the bottom stair on a stair case. Get into riding position and go through the gates trying not to hold onto anything! Put your weight onto the ball of your foot through the bottom of your heel.
The third one is to get (Or make) a sturdy saddle stand and ride in your saddle! This one for me is the hardest because there is not "horse" there. If you can put pillows or something to feel like your leg is on a horse, it is much better and then ride like you are on a horse practicing all the things like above.
If you have enjoyed riding (minus the horse), here is a link to my small FB support/Cheerleading group for those of us that need a little extra encouragement: Happy, Courageous, Horse and Rider
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