Hit the fitness trail before you saddle up

Anyone who has ever ridden a horse can attest to the fact that riding isn’t entirely a leisurely activity. Many muscle groups are engaged, including the abdominals, quadriceps, calves and trapezius. Being in good condition helps not only the rider but the horse as well, according to “The Rider’s Fitness Program” (Storey Publishing, 2004), a new book featuring individual exercises plus workouts for equestrians.

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Jeannine Stein

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The Rider’s Fitness Program: Strengthening specific muscles and improving balance are the keys to better riding, the authors say. The book divides the basic elements of equestrian fitness into balance, flexibility, strength, mental and physical independence, and aerobics. Chapters cover warm-up and stretching, balance, lower- and upper-body exercises, exercises for the pelvis, and workouts geared to posture. Each exercise has easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and photos, but many of the drills require props such as exercise balls, or standard weight equipment found in a gym. A six-week program of set routines is also offered.

“When people aren’t in shape, they tend to rely more on the horse’s ability than their own,” says coauthor John J. McCully, a personal trainer who has worked with equestrians. He examined videos of pro and amateur riders to discover the demands on a rider. “A lot is body awareness and balance,” he adds, “and riders really put a lot of force on the horse when they’re not fluent in their movements.”

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Price: $19.95. Available at bookstores.