Many people go to the gym to stretch their muscles and get a little exercise. The gym can be boring, not to mention sweaty and crowded. There are ways to get some exercise without going to the gym. Me, I go to the arena. Horseback riding is one of the best forms of exercise for humans in the world. Besides that, riding a horse is more fun than sweating for an hour on a stationary bike. You can also use the back of your horse as your own ‘yoga mat’. There are a few exercises you can do to actually help with your balance while riding that will also help you on your own two feet. All you will need is a horse, a lunge line and a friend.

Having a friend hold the lunge line in the center of a circle, get on your horse, but do not use any reins. Have the lunge line clipped to the horse’s halter. You can control the horse with your legs, but your friend is there to ensure nothing goes wrong. While the horse is standing still, hold your arms hold your arms out straight from your body, horizontal to the ground. Take your right hand and reach up to touch the poll on the top of your horse’s head. Move back to the starting position. Now reach over and touch your right hand to your left knee then move back to the starting position. Then reach over and touch your right hand to your left boot, then back to the starting position. If you can’t reach your left boot, just reach as far as you can. Now reach back and touch the top of your horse’s tail with your right hand. Repeat these steps with your left hand, always returning to the starting position before the next stretch. After doing this exercise with each hand, try all of the steps while your horse is walking. If you are feeling brave and are sure of your balance, try these exercises trotting and then cantering each way.

Another great exercise is to ride without stirrups. This will help with your balance in the saddle while strengthening your abs, upper leg and back muscles. Start out at a walk until you get comfortable and move into a trot and then canter. Keep your hands low and still, don’t hold on to anything unless you feel you will lose your balance. This can come in handy when you lose your stirrups while riding during competition or trail riding. A different version of this exercise that is more difficult is to ride bareback. Riding bareback can strengthen many muscles in your body while also bringing you closer to your horse’s movements.

An exercise that will help you feel every movement made by your horse is to ride with your eyes closed and without holding on with your hands. Start out walking, but try to guess where each hoof of your horse is. Try to feel as each hoof is put down and move your hands in motion with it. For example, when your horse starts trotting, move your hands in the same motion you feel that your horse is making with his front legs. The person in the center of the circle can let you know if you are correct. Also do this exercise while cantering. This exercise will help you recognize where your horse’s legs are and what that movement feels like. It can help you with lead changes also because you will understand how and where your horse’s legs are falling during each stride and gait.

All of these exercises can help improve your balance and rhythm in and out of the saddle while keeping you active and moving. Practicing these exercises weekly can help you strengthen muscles, add rhythm and balance to your riding and become closer and more comfortable with your horse.