Learn the top core exercises for horse riders. Horse riders often focus more on the movement of their horse and forget about their riding position. Your core is important because your riding position impacts on your own body, the forces going through the saddle, and the movement of the horse. Here at Sport and Spinal we can assist with your riding position and help you avoid long-term injury.

The ultimate riding position

Here is a simple guide for the ultimate horse riding position for flat ground general riding

1. Stirrup length – for flat riding the stirrup iron should sit just higher than the ankle bone when the foot is out of the stirrup and the leg is relaxed. When the foot is in the stirrup let your weight sink into the heels.
2. Leg contact – ensure even contact of lower leg, inner knee and thigh on the horse
3. Hip position- Sit on top of your seat bones and imagine them melting away from each other. This is to keep the pelvis neutral, and to help stop the bottom muscles clenching.
4. Lower limb alignment- ensure there is a vertical line from the hips to the heels.
5. Upper body alignment – lift tall through the front of the chest and imagine there is a piece of string pulling you from the top of your helmet to the sky.
6. Arm position- hand placement should be slightly in front of the withers and approximately 2-3 inches apart. Keep the hands closed around the reins but relaxed.

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