How many people stretch before and after riding?

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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Haven't posted here in yonks, have been off horses for a year and competing even longer. Pony is coming back in January after being turned away for a year so very excited!

Recently broke myself pole dancing, physio thinks it's something that has been niggling for years because I have extremely tight hamstrings, quads and hips from years of horse riding without stretching. Since u started working towards front and middle splits I had no idea how tight my entire lower body is.

It just got me thinking do any of you stretch before or after you ride, for me it's just never been a part of my routine with horses.
When I get the all clear to ride again it's under strict instructions I stretch and foam roll everytime.
 
I've started having lessons again recently and I try and stretch before getting on - makes such a difference, especially as for the past ten years I've merely ridden for fun. Hadn't realised how tight I am in my hips until I got manipulated last week...
 
teapot said:
I've started having lessons again recently and I try and stretch before getting on - makes such a difference, especially as for the past ten years I've merely ridden for fun. Hadn't realised how tight I am in my hips until I got manipulated last week...
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I'm hoping it'll make a big difference too :) Can't recommend foam rolling enough if you still find you're quite tight. Tennis ball/ cricket ball works well for the hips.
 
Nope but it's probably a good idea. I tend to get achy after harder work and stretch in the evening but this has made me think I should do more!
 
I don't stretch before I ride but try to do 2x 30mins of yoga a day which has massively improved my position on a horse! I usually do 1x flexibility session in the morning and 1x strength session in the evening.
 
Up until about three months ago, no. I then had a lesson with an instructor who is primarily a physio and we went thru all my achy bits, tight bits and crooked bits. She gave me some great stretches for all of them and I have so noticed the difference, not only for myself but my poor long suffering horse must be so relieved.
 
I have incredibly tight hips which has become glaringly obvious now I'm getting more serious about dressage.

I try to stretch before every lesson/schooling session and use my foam roller pretty much every day to try to release the tension in my hips/IT area.
 
When I read the title I thought you meant the horse haha!

I have never stretched before or after riding, I don't think there are many other physical sports where you wouldn't do... naughty really!
 
As a fellow poler with hamstrings about 2cm long, I feel your pain. Until I started working on splits/poling, I had no idea how awful my hips/legs were.

My OH is very sporty and very into proper warm-ups and cool-downs. After every ride he asks whether I've stretched... And agree with above - there are so few sports where you wouldn't stretch before or after! And when I had a horse, it was even worse. He'd get stretched, I wouldn't :o
 
Nope, never. I always stretch the horse though! I also never stretch before or after running, then wander around complaining about my tight hamstrings. I've recently started seeing a personal trainer twice a week and he stretches my legs out for me - the difference has been remarkable (but I still don't do it under my own steam!).
 
pixie27 said:
As a fellow poler with hamstrings about 2cm long, I feel your pain. Until I started working on splits/poling, I had no idea how awful my hips/legs were.

My OH is very sporty and very into proper warm-ups and cool-downs. After every ride he asks whether I've stretched... And agree with above - there are so few sports where you wouldn't stretch before or after! And when I had a horse, it was even worse. He'd get stretched, I wouldn't :o
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It's very eye opening isn't it! I've met a few poling horse riders, seems the two interlink :)



I'm going to try and do a few hip opening exercises and a couple or squats whilst grooming pony once he's back to see if it helps. Then will do a foam roll and proper stretch when I get home.
 
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