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Improve with Pilates for Horse Riding and Dressage

Misalignment off the horse is magnified on the horse. By re-educating your muscles you can become a better and safer rider, and communicate more effectively with your horse. 

Exercises are designed to improve your gait and posture by building core muscle strength, control and flexibility. Furthermore, the peripheral strength in arms and legs is developed from improved pelvic and rib cage and cervical placement, control and isolation of target muscles and shoulder girdle stabilisation.

“Pilates strengthens the abdominals and back muscles, which work to support the spine. ....A lot of rider back pain is due to postural and movement patterns. Improved rider alignment and enhanced flexibility and symmetry will help to prevent the horse’s movement being transferred through the body in an unhelpful way."

“Many riders don’t breathe properly, especially in competition, which can have an immobilising effect on the lower back and hips” 

“Through a combination of core strengthening and helping the rider to release the deep hip muscle through breathing, Pilates can enable horse and rider to move better.” 

Lindsay Wilcox-Reid Horse and Hound Magazine, May 2012