Hello fellow equestrians!

Of course, you all know that riding your horse isn't just about sitting still – that’s what non-riders think when we’re actually doing it well. The horse is clearly moving a lot and so we actually need to move A LOT to look like we’re sitting still in relation to the horse. Phew! So, it really is a dynamic interplay where you and your horse become one.

Even the most seasoned dressage rider who appears almost motionless, a statue of grace atop their horse is subtly adjusting, responding to every nuance of the horse's movement. Although their spine is tall and head held high, this isn't rigidity, but a fluid, effortless connection.

​Body awareness and control is essential for this for sure, but this effortless movement is built on a foundation of mobility, a key ingredient for any rider looking to improve their performance.

It’s easy to assume flexibility and mobility are the same thing, but they're not! Flexibility is like stretching your hamstring – lengthening a muscle group. Mobility, on the other hand, is about how well your joints move around a range of motion. Think of it as your hip joint swinging freely or your ankle bending easily. However, flexibility is a component of mobility, as relative tightness of muscles on one side of a joint for example, can can inhibit range of motion and function of that joint. Mobility also involves what's going on in the joint capsule and motor control, as well as the status ofhe soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments).

​A big difference in flexibility and mobility is the function it brings: flexibility is bendy, mobility is bendy AND strong! So of course your training needs to address this focus...

Imagine trying to ride a bucking bronco while holding yourself rigid. Not fun, right? Mobility allows you to flow with your horse's movement, maintaining a secure and balanced seat even as your horse changes gaits, navigates challenging terrain or throws in unexpected ‘dance’ moves!

Furthermore, a good range of motion in your joints, particularly your spine, hips and ankles, is crucial for maintaining balance in the saddle. This is especially important when riding on uneven ground or executing more demanding movements like lateral work or jumping.

​Perhaps most importantly, mobility allows you to communicate more clearly with your horse. When you are mobile, you can:

Mobility training! Well duh, but what does that entail, you ask? It incorporates movement through joints at end ranges of stretch for muscles – often called ‘dynamic stretches’ as opposed to static ones where you hold still (these are for flexibility training), but also some elements of strength/resistance and stability. I’ll go into more on the very important strength part of mobility in another edition - but this is why, in my FitScience EQ rider fitness programs, there are so many exericises that combine all these factors together.

For example, the dynamic stretch of taking both arms all the way overhead, cirlcing them out and back behind you can become more useful for mobility with the addition of holding a stick/ towel/ rope or long band with both hands. Then you will feel the resistance and extra stretch. Body weight can be useful for resitance as well as basic equipment.

​If this all sounds familiar, then yes, practices such as yoga, Pilates and calisthenics are SUPER for mobility.

If I had to give you just ONE thing that would be effective, that you can do today, and every day forth of your riding life, to improve and maintain mobility, it would be this yoga style flow. (clink the link for the video)