Stretches please

[JillA]

Older rider (me - I am technically entitled to a bus pass ) who has been riding for many many years, but now has an exceptionally wide horse. He isn't fat, and he isn't a cob (big WB X with a gap big enough to drive a bus through between his front legs ) but he is really stretching my hips and thighs each time I ride. Better if I ride every day but with the weather etc it isn't possible EVERY day. So does anyone have any suggetions of stretches I can do out of the saddle to keep more flexibility to make actually riding easier? I have a gym ball but need to know what exercises to do.

 

[ELFSBELLS]

Pilates is supposed to be good, google it for some tips on exercises x

 

[mandyroberts]

Pilates

 

[Tobiano]

When I returned to riding aged 41, after a 25 year break, my instructor told me to lie on the floor, with my legs up at 90 degrees against a wall. (so you are like an L shape). then let your legs fall apart from the hips so that they make a V shape (and your torso is at the point of the V). Let them fall as far as they will, stay in that position for a while, and gradually see if you can let them fall a bit further. (Does this make sense??) . There is no force involved, it is not hard work, but it lets gravity help your inner thigh muscles / ligaments stretch.

Let us know if that works at all!

Oh and I suggest a fish oil supplement too

 

[melbiswas]

Try googling hip adductor stretches as those are the muscles that tend to ache!
I'm afraid our hips tend to lose rotation too as we get older and this requires a different kind of stretch.

You need to make sure you are not gripping with your knees when you are riding ( this was encouraged back in my day).

Alternatively does your saddle fit you as well as your horse? You may benefit from a more forward cut, jumping type saddle if this does not interfere with your horse's shoulder movement. This might place those adductor muscles in a more comfortable position. Trial and error really.

 

[JillA]

Thanks all - I will look up those hip adductor stretches. Saddle is very carefully fitted to him and me - he has big shoulders so forward cut just impedes his shoulders, but I did have a VSD cut rather than a dressage as such. No, never gripped with the knees, have spent many years breaking home bred youngsters so learned balance rather than grip
That V shape one sounds like it could really help as well.