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Publisher Access Publishing Group Executive Editor Nancy Norton Managing Editor Julie Kidrowski
Julie Kidrowski is a graduate of William Woods University, with nearly a decade of experience teaching beginner through advanced lessons. This month she discusses balance. To submit your question, please email her at Julie@horseandacademy.com
work on your balance. Give it a try; just be sure you don’t rely on your handlebars to get up off of the bike when posting. The more “traditional” way to improve balance is through oldfashioned exercise. You might practice squats and lunges, standing on one leg, different Pilates movements, climbing up steps, and even using an exercise ball to do crunches and inner thigh squeezes. Get a DVD, take a class, or
A. Riding is more about a good sense of balance than it is muscles! Keep in mind; most riders develop a solid sense of balance over time. Lunge line lessons are a great way to force your balance. If you have a safe horse for lunge lessons and a good horseman on the ground, you’ll be balanced in no time.
Sit tipped towards your zipper Ribs up Shoulders down I also ask riders to find their weakest point. Some of the common faults are: leaning too far back, slouching in the saddle, feet too far forward, and hey, put your heels down! Do any of those ring a bell? Really listen to what your instructor tells you repetitively. She is most likely pointing out your weakest area. If you
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… most riders develop a solid sense of balance over time.
Even when lunge line lessons aren’t an option, practicing balance is still an important part of your training. Just for fun, I have asked some of my equitation riders to practice patterns using their bikes. The rules were they had to post as the pattern directed, change diagonals as intended, and of course hit their points precisely! This is an entertaining way to learn patterns while you 4
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Ask The Instructor
Can you tell me the best way to help me find my balance on a horse?
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ask someone to walk you through the proper form for the exercises you want to try. Good form is the key to your progress and safety. When you’re riding, think about breaking your body into a “balance checklist.” Here is the one we use: Toes up Heels down Weight in the arch of your foot Knees down and bent
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don’t have an instructor, figure out what part of your body “wiggles” the most. If it’s your legs, start at your foot and work through the checklist. The general rule of thumb for a good solid seat is “lower body back and upper body forward.” Good balance doesn’t come overnight, but it will come. Keep practicing, and have fun! n
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