How to improve your riding without access to a horse?

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HammieHamlet

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So I'm stuck in a foreign country at the moment without regular access to horses, perhaps the odd hack here and there, but certainly no eventing, decent training..and it's driving me mad :(

I'm really concerned that my riding will suffer so am looking for good books / video links that can help keep my eye in, or is that even possible?

I even resorted to paying to go on one of those rodeo things at a fair ground just in a desperate bid to feel like i was on a horse!

any tips would be gratefully welcome :o)


thanks x
 
Er, all I could suggest would be keeping your core muscles strong - maybe take up pilates, even from a book or DVD. That way, when you are back riding, you shouldn't have lost too much tone.
 
CrazyMare said:
Er, all I could suggest would be keeping your core muscles strong - maybe take up pilates, even from a book or DVD. That way, when you are back riding, you shouldn't have lost too much tone.
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thanks - I am trying to go to the gym as much as possible to keep fit, plus doing some pilates classes... that's all i could think of doing that was positive!

Thinking about it, I really need online tuition as buying english books out here could be a nightmare as the postal system is a bit hit and miss to say the least
 
Online advice/help - the best I can think of is read HHO!! The stuff you pick up on here is incredible!

Also on your ocassional hacks while the horses probably won't respond you could practice doing things like - at the tree stump I'm going to give the perfect canter/half-halt aid (abit quietly). Practice riding with out stirrups (if you feel safe) do lots of PC stretches to try and get and/or keep your seat as independent as possible. Work on you position etc

Out of curiosity (noseyness) where are you? :)
 
Felicity_09 said:
Online advice/help - the best I can think of is read HHO!! The stuff you pick up on here is incredible!

Also on your ocassional hacks while the horses probably won't respond you could practice doing things like - at the tree stump I'm going to give the perfect canter/half-halt aid (abit quietly). Practice riding with out stirrups (if you feel safe) do lots of PC stretches to try and get and/or keep your seat as independent as possible. Work on you position etc

Out of curiosity (noseyness) where are you? :)
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thanks - the horse i get to take on a hack has never had any schooling, so I do try and work on little things to get him off his front end, although its a bit difficult as I literally have to follow the woman in front (who insists that her horse has to go first, and tracks aren't big enough to ride side by side) and go at her pace and not get left behind! I also spend most of my concentration trying to get rid of the horrendously big horse flies that cling to my legs and bite me through my jodphurs :( its not entirely relaxing...

HHO is definately good to catch up on, but also makes you miss eventing even more... I guess Im looking for any good online articles that can help with position / schooling etc..

I'm in russia :)
 
This link below is one of my faves for passing time online...

I think that working on the theory and studying off the horse really helps my riding. The more I have in my head to help me once I'm on the horse the better. Yes, there's no substitute for practice, but you need to know what to practice and how! And it might sound daft, but you can imagine / mentally rehearse lots to help you when you are back in the saddle.

http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/
 
Satsuma said:
This link below is one of my faves for passing time online...

I think that working on the theory and studying off the horse really helps my riding. The more I have in my head to help me once I'm on the horse the better. Yes, there's no substitute for practice, but you need to know what to practice and how! And it might sound daft, but you can imagine / mentally rehearse lots to help you when you are back in the saddle.

http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/
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thank you - that looks a great link.

it doesnt sound silly about the imagination thing - i do that anyway! :)
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Cycling uses many of the same muscles used in riding; ditto ski-ing! Plus power walking (not running) builds stamina.

If you can get one of those bounce-ball things they're very good for developing core stability; plus a wobble board.

Hope this helps! (I'm a registered exercise professional).
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thanks! I have an exercise bike at home...

Its one where it makes you bend over and lean forward on though - is it therefore better to sit up straight and just not use the handles? Or are the muscles still the same anyway?
 
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