How to keep riding fit without riding

[Greenleaves]

Has anyone got any tips for keeping riding fit / improving posture without riding?

I am at uni sat at my desk quite a lot (yes students do have to work!) but my horsey is at home 250 miles away and is still ticking over ready for my fleeting visits home.
I manage to get home about once a fortnight to ride but inbetween I dont do any sort of exercise other than walking to and from uni (about 30 mins a day). When I get back I seem to have lost my strength and gradually go backwards over the term, so at each holidays I have to make up the ground I have lost over the few months. Does anyone know a way to stop me going backwards / maintaining / improving my riding without actually riding or spending a fortune on lessons whilst Im away?

Thanks for any tips

 

[Orangehorse]

Gymball? Keep up your core strength and balance. Other than that normal keep fit things like runing, skipping, even on a baby trampoline which is surprisingly effective.

 

[MissChaos]

Am sure you've already thought of this and/or may not have transport, but have you looked into a share? It seems riding fitness is a relatively unique kind... Failing that, pilates can have some good benefits for core strength etc.

 

[jenki13]

Play Hockey!
Lol It works quite a few of the same muscles as riding does.

Failing that - Squats & lunges will work the legs. Ski-sits are good for developing the stamina for jumping. Fitness ball for developing core & balance. Doing the Plank also helps with keeping your core strong.

Here are the exercises in case you don't know what I mean:

Plank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz0oFaVGuh4

Ski-sit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDjKeOCgisw

Squat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3g4wAsu0R4

Lunges:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_RYVmpWDq4