Over the years I've had the opportunity to participate in endurance riding and have been involved in the sport since 1982. Some years I can't find the time to fit in any endurance rides, in a big year I may end up with 750 miles. The main reason for my dabbling in equine endurance is our family involvement in other non equine endurance sports. There just isn't enough time in the day.
I started to get more involved in endurance this season and contacted a couple dressage instructors to improve my equitation. As a heavyweight rider I knew that a more balanced rider would only help my horse in 50 and 100 mile events. Time restraints with family, career and others things got in the way and I have yet to take a dressage lesson. It's on the list and will happen eventually but over the summer months I stumbled on several exercises that have really improved my balance and equitation.
I believe that trail running is the best thing you can do to help your equitation. Trail running strengthens your core, heightens proprioception, improves your balance and helps maintain optimal weight. In addition it allows you to feel what your horse is feeling and see things from your horse's view. Run up hills, run down hills, run in rocks, run when you're tired, continue running when your gut has shut down. Trail running will change the way you ride and compete with your horse.
For some reason everyone has an excuse for why they can't run. I personally think most of the excuses against running are made up excuses and that's a whole different subject. If you can't run (or have an excuse why you can't run) then get out and hike.
Lisa and Roxy running through the Flying Monkey Forest. Add a backpack or weight and you really appreciate what your horse does for you.
Duncan McLaughlin and I run Engineer Peak outside Durango. Uphill to 13,000 feet. Makes you ride your horse up hills differently.
Although trail running has been my personal release and core exercise over the years, this summer Lisa and I added two additional fun balance exercises that have helped our equitation and mulitisport activities. The slackline has been the most challenging and has provided the most bang for the buck. The slackline is a piece of 1 inch webbing that is strung between two trees or objects. The goal is to walk across the slackline. As you progress tricks are added.
The slackline is the best balance exercise I've ever done. It's improves your balance rapidly, builds your core and gets the heart rate up a bit also. All my horse friends that visited over the summer were drawn to it. Awesome equestrian exercise. Get one at www.slackline.com.
Lisa shows a successful crossing of the slackline
Lisa on the slackline.
Rusty Toth giving the slackline a try
In addition to the slackline we recently added a new toy to the balance exercises. I purchased a unicycle a couple weeks back and have been learning how to ride it. It requires allot of core and balance. It's also a perfect tool to help equitation.
Alyxx and I race around the driveway. Big wheel vs small wheels.
Over the summer months and 2009 endurance season there have been several people or events that have reminded me about equitation and how important it is for each of us to improve our fitness, balance and core strength. You see some beautiful riders out there and you see allot of riders who could benefit from lessons and better balance. I personally would like to become a better balanced rider and believe it would be a huge benefit to the horses I ride. I'll continue the trail running, slackline and unicycle until I can connect with the dressage instructor.
G: Enjoy your Blog as always.. I know your wife is talented, but will wait for YOUR slackline video?
Posted by: Chris Martin | October 04, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Chris- I'll exchange my slackline video for your unicycle video.
Garrett
Posted by: Garrett Ford | October 04, 2009 at 11:49 AM
you guys are funny :) I can't even balance on a balance beam well and that is easy compared to the line by the looks of it. Would be fun though :)
Another real cheap balance exercise (free actually, since all of us riding have a horse or access to one)....ride BAREBACK..if the horse has bad withers/spine use a pad, but no pad is best. Or at least take your stirrups off the saddle for a few trail rides... And...ride with your eyes closed (tag along behind a friend on a mellow horse)...the latter REALLY changes your perception and does wonders...
Posted by: Natalie | October 04, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Hi, Garrett. I encourage you to find time for a good dressage instructor (ones that also do eventing are the best 'cause they often "get" hot horses and understand cross country riding). I started taking dressage lessons about 10 years ago and although I still hate riding in an arena, it's the best thing I ever did for my horses' control and for my equitation. Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Collins | October 05, 2009 at 10:48 AM