5 Stretches That Every Dressage Rider Should Do
Here are my top five dressage stretches that every rider should do. Improve suppleness and mobility in the saddle to help you move freely with your horse.
These 5 specific dressage stretches will help improve your dressage riding. If you really want to improve your biomechanics and imbalances on the horse, this is where these specific stretches will benefit you.
Often riders don’t realise the impact their imbalances can have on their horse. When ligaments get tight and stiff they lose their range of motion. They get matted and glued together and affect the way your body moves.
When it comes to stretching in general, too often I see people just doing token stretches here and there. That sort of stretching might make you feel better mentally, but it’s not actually making progress to free up your ligaments.
To improve your body’s range of motion, these stretches need time. To allow the muscles and ligaments to really let go and free up, you need to hold these stretches for a decent period of time, a minimum of 2 minutes per stretch. These stretches aren’t necessarily pleasant either. But when I do them my body responds and I always ride and move better after having done them.
So if you are wanting to improve your riding or just your general posture, try these specific 5 stretches out below and notice how it makes you feel. Do them all daily before you head off to bed or before you go for a ride and notice your rider biomechanics improve over time.
Couch Stretch
This stretch is one of the most beneficial stretches you can do. If you were to do just one stretch, I would suggest this one. Start with your back foot on the ground and place a cushion under your knee if needed. Then as your range of motion improves, place your back foot up on a couch, chair or table. Be sure to tuck in your pelvis and brace your core so you are not arching through your back. Hold this for a minimum of 2 minutes each side.
Hindu Squat
This stretch is amazing for mobility through your hip joints. The Hindu Squat is also great for your digestion and detoxification pathways. Often riders don’t put their limbs through a full range of motion which can cause their hamstrings and lower back to tighten up. It’s important to ensure your body keeps it’s full range of motion to help improve your riding and ability to do general chores around owning a horse. If you can’t get down low, hold onto a table edge. Then do it daily for at least 2-5 minutes and notice how much you improve.
Internal Hip Stretch
These muscles get incredibly tight from sitting down for long periods. Keeping your hips healthy and mobile is super important for dressage riders. They play a crucial role when you are dressage riding and keeping everything aligned, so you want to work on this stretch also. This stretch will also help improve your Hindu Squat.
You may notice to one side tighter than the other. Start by keeping your foot flat on the floor and push your knee out and your hips down. As you improve let your foot move onto its side and you can come down onto your elbows and hold.
ITB
Most riders will know where their ITB is because this is often a problem area and can affect your knee alignment and often leads to knee problems when it gets too tight. Hold this stretch for 2 minutes each side and notice how it frees up your knee as well as your hips.
Swan Pose
This is also great for getting into your ITB as well as your hips. More gentler than the one above, so begin here if need be. Great to help loosen up your glutes and bring more mobility through your hips and lower back too.
Hold for 2 minutes at least each side.
Then download the FREE Dressage Rider Fitness Guide that will give you the exercises & stretches you need to do to improve your riding specifically for dressage. Download it here.
So there you have it dressage stretches to help you feel more supple in the saddle. If you put the effort into improving your riding technique as much as you do your horses, you’ll be able to become a stronger team and your riding will start to excel. For more exercises, stretches and workouts to help advance your riding and fitness, check out our online dressage rider training program.
Here, you’ll find all the tools and specific dressage exercises you need to take your riding to a new level.
Want more dressage stretches now to help you with your riding? Try these articles out.
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Soothing Stretches To Help Improve Sciatica In Riders
4 Stretches To Help With Hip Mobility In Dressage Riders
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