Improving Mobility, Control, Load in Horses
In my last two blog posts HERE and HERE, I’ve been talking about mobility, control, and load with riders. These are important elements to have in equestrian fitness programs to get your body ready to perform at its best. These same principles apply to horses. We need...
The Role of Hip Flexors when Riding
I feel like hip flexors are often demonized as a rider’s worst enemy. There are so many articles/blogs/social media posts that blame tight hip flexors as the reason riders have hip restrictions which lead to stiffness and tension on a horse. I’d like to dive into this...
Three Parts of an Effective Exercise Program for Equestrians
As an equestrian, you know how important it is to be fit to ride your horse, but designing an effective fitness program is challenging. Do you just lift weights? Do some cardio? Take up yoga or Pilates? Of course the answer is “it depends” because it’s based on the...
Embrace the Messiness
I took a riding lesson this week that challenged me to figure things out and get comfortable being uncomfortable. There was an angled line that went vertical – 5 strides – oxer – 5 strides – vertical. I haven't ridden an angled line like this for several years. I've...
Core Strength in the Equine Athlete: An Essential Ingredient
Core strength is a term riders often refer to when talking about their fitness program. It’s critical for being strong, having good posture on a horse, and transferring forces through your body. Core strength is just as important in horses. Like in humans, core...
How to Improve Ankle Dorsiflexion to Keep Your Heels Down When You Ride
Ankle dorsiflexion, or how much you can bend your ankle, is an important motion for riders. If you ride with shorter stirrups, such as in a jump saddle, you need to have ankle dorsiflexion to keep your heels down and stay aligned in the saddle. Your ankle also acts as...
5 Ways to Step Into Your Potential with Your Horse
A couple of weeks ago I was at a goal setting meeting with my riding coach, Stephanie Goodman. It was a group meeting for the barn to talk about 2020 plans and longer term vision. During that meeting, people were voicing their 2020 goals and plans with their horse. At...
Always & Never Exercises for Riders, Part 2
In part 1, I talked about specificity of training and working parts of the whole. I listed some "always" and "never" exercises for riders. Now onto Part 2! Take a listen to this video to dive deeper and learn why exercises made the list! The Core Challenge for...
Always and Never Exercises for Riders, Part I
There’s a principle in sports performance called specificity of practice. Basically, research shows that to be good at something you have to practice THAT thing. For riders that means . . . To be a good dressage rider, you have to ride dressage. To show jump well, you...
California Dreamin’ at Twin River Horse Trials
I’ve spent the last few weeks in California (grateful!!). I went with some friends and we created a “training camp” at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA for a week. Then we headed north to Paso Robles, CA to Twin River Horse Trials. I had some mixed results on this trip...
To Be a Better Rider, Move Your Feet. Your Mind Will Follow
At Intrepid Wellness, I help equestrians work off the horse so they can be better on the horse. I help you get physically and mentally fit so you can perform well when you ride. One question I’m always trying to answer is what’s the most effective way to help my...
Six Areas of Focus to Become a Better Athlete: The Equestrian Athlete’s Toolkit
At Intrepid Wellness, I help riders work off the horse so they can be better on the horse. This means working on body alignment, physical fitness, nutrition, and mindset training so you can be an equestrian athlete and good partner with your horse. I am passionate...