Strengthening Legs for Forward Seat Work

combat_claire

combat_claire

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Does anyone have any suggestions for things I can do to work on my leg strength in between riding lessons? My instructor has started me off on the forward seat in preparation for jumping work and my legs were aching after 10 minutes. Any top tips?

Also wondering how fit I would need to be to ride to hounds for a day in main season. I follow hounds on my bike when I can or foot follow with beagles. I also ride once a week, but wonder what other toning or cardio I should be doing.

Thanks
 
Stand up on your pedals when you cycle!
Core strength is also important to stop your back aching - pilates is fab for this
Also you could offer to exercise a horse that needs to hack if you are confident enough - I used to help a friend who had hunter liveries and we basically used to trot continuously for 45 mins on some days.
As far as fitness for hunting is concerned, when I was doing it, I used to hack for at least an hour on both days at the weekend and have at least one lesson in the week, to keep me fit enough, but then I was hunting side saddle!
A lot depends on your age and pain threshold
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Hi - I would have thought that because you follow beagles on foot and on bike you would be plenty fit enough to go out for a day, probably more so than half of the field!

I have no good tips really - other than the great one by ironhorse which is to stand when you cycle. When I started riding I was told to stand on a stair and let my heels hang over to start to stretch the muscles.

Will it be the first time you ride to hounds? I bet you will be hooked. You gave me some lovely encouraging support on another forum when I was asking not so long ago about going out.

I've been out now 5 times cubbing and the last time I was out for 4 hours and it was almost proper hunting - except that the hounds didn't speak all day!

Good luck and I can't wait to see your first report.
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you should be fine but I do a regular exercise to help strengthen my lower leg which should help you. Stand on a step with the balls of your feet, and slowly push your heel down keeping your leg slightly bent until you feel a stretch down your calf. Hold and slowly go back to the flat position and repeat. Has actually done wonders with keeping my leg more underneath me.

Also another good one for posture and strength. Stand with your heels, back and head against the wall, and then slowly bend your knees until you start to feel pressure on your legs. Do this a couple of times and it will help strengthen your back as well as your legs. (to help strengthen your back, put your arms above your head and stretch!)

I also do sit ups to help with my core muscles and a stretch which helps - lie face down on the floor, put your hands flat down next to your boobs (
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I can't think of what to call that area!) and push up with your arms till your arms are straight - makesure you stay looking forwards, and you should feel a stretch in your stomach (if you don't makesure you're stretching with your legs!) - hold for 5-10 seconds and repeat. It's really helped strengthen my core muscles and keep me sitting up instead of slouched on a horse.

I hope these help
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Sit on a gym ball and bounce up and down on it while watching tv etc. I spent ages on a ball after I had my first baby as he liked the motion (all that riding when pregnant maybe?
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)... when I got back in the saddle I expected to be starting from scratch on my lower leg strength but the first time I jumped they didn't budge! I was so shocked, it had made such a difference! So easy too!
 
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