You can also do this stretching exercise using a jump pole lying on the ground, something all my clients see me do if there happen to be poles in the arena
C OAC H I N G W I T H C H R I S T I N E
Get off your horse
while I’m teaching - I just can’t pass up the opportunity for a good heels down boost. Another favourite place of mine to do this is when going up the travelator ramp at the mall, and I'm not even kidding! When out of the blue a friend asked me how on earth I managed to
Four off-horse exercises to improve core strength, flexibility, and body symmetry from our resident coach CHRISTINE ARMISHAW.
I
efforts had paid off.
Shoulder and chest opener Riding a lot can sometimes cause rounding of the shoulders and closing up
’m always on the hunt for easy
Heels down stretch
little ways I can work on my riding
Because I used to struggle so much with
technique and position, even when
keeping my own heels down, this is my
I’m not on a horse. Here are a few
get my heels down so far, I knew my
favourite, and all you need is a low step. Stand on the edge of the step on the
of the chest. I realised I had this problem when, at one of my sporadic sports massage sessions, I simply could not pull my shoulders back to what the practitioner assured me was a ‘normal’ position.
handy tips and tricks I personally use
balls of your feet and let your heels drop
The exercise to combat shoulder
to improve core strength, flexibility and
below your toes. Hold the stretch for
rounding is simple, but effective if done
body symmetry. I even prescribe these
at least 25 to 30 seconds to give your
regularly. Stand in a doorway and hold
muscles time to stop resisting and relax
on to the frame with one hand, just
exercises for my clients as post-lesson
into the stretch. Holding on to a rail or
above shoulder height. Lean forward
homework, because rider training
leaning a hand against the wall can help
slightly, while looking back over the
doesn’t have to be limited to the saddle.
with balance.
same shoulder. Once you feel the
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