Does anyone do exercises/stretches before they ride?

[aimeejay]

Just wondering, does anyone here do exercises before they ride? If so what do you do. And also, do you warm up like you would with another sport? Only asking as we were having this discussion between a few of us, and everyones answer was different.
Personally I do some stretches, mainly my neck muscles and back, because I always pull them, whether I'm riding or doing anything else.

Anyway enough ranting..

 

[Kaylum]

No because I muck out before I ride to warm up and then never think about stretching,.

 

[aimeejay]

Good point. Whenever I'm mucking out or whatever I don't either, think the girls on the yard would think I was a bit weird if I stood there in the stable stretching

 

[ChocolateEgg]

We do basic (mounted) stretches before playing polo - to warm ourselves up, but also the horse's backs.

Never done it before eventing or hunting but I imagine it could only help performance! I may try it now it's been pointed out .

 

[Stacey6897]

When I ride out I've always spent the first 5 - 10 mins in walk anyway, does that count?

 

[Syrah]

Must admit, no. I've never thought about it but you're quite right, every other sport they do.

Will have a go later

 

[misterjinglejay]

I always try to do 10 mins of stretching before mounting - after all, we expect our horses to carry us, it's the least we can do.
Lunges, squats, arm circles, heel raises, leg up on a fence stretches, holding foot in hand thigh stretches etc
I honestly think I ride better when I've done a warm up first.

 

[TarantuLove]

probably should, but general yard work keeps me pretty warmed up!

 

[Amaranta]

I spend 5-10 mins stretching, I damaged the ligament in my hip and every now and then I trap the nerve, so I find it helps.