lauralite:

I would say that while strength/suppleness aren't independent of one another; they aren't really dependant on each other, either.

You are correct in saying that a supple person doesn't necessarily have to be strong and visa/versa but....the supple person who doesn't have some amount of core strength, will have a difficult time staying in balance on top of a moving horse.  A supple person who does not have core strength may topple over a bit....as he starts to lose balance, he will tighten the core to upright himself.  Once he tightens up a few core muscles, other muscles will tighten and then you have those nasty tense muscles that don't allow a soft, fluid conversation with the horse.  Core muscles that are strong, help to prevent the topple to begin with.  Strong muscles allow the body to stay supple.  Strong muscles are, well, stronger than weak ones....(not the best wording, sorry) the strong muscles can just "be" while the weak ones have to continue to work!

When I talk about strength, I do not mean body-building type muscles.  Big, buff men with huge pecs and six-pac abs have a terrible time trying to learn to ride (and I suppose big, buff women would be the same).  When we talk about strength, we actually mean "toned muscles".  But even "toning" takes some exercise!

Flexability is a big one....stretching is important for all of us, especially as we grow older.  Hamstring muscles (and others, of course) have a tendency to tighten as the years go by.  When the hamstrings are tight, it affects the back.  If the back is tight, so probably are the hips, etc.

And all of this has everything to do with the original topic of this thread.  The lower leg doesn't really have to be strong...it needs to be free to give instruction to the horse.  Unless one has a specific problem, such as a past broken or sprained ankle, I still think that toning the core will help the most.

Has anyone read this month's Dressage Today?  There is an article about Steffen Peters and his wife, Shannon and their "off the horse" workout routines.  There's too much in the article to summarize here but there are a couple of quotes that caught my attention. 

 "This is an Olympic sport.  It's not only the horses that should be athletes.  The riders should be as well".

Here, he is talking about the three extraordinary gaits of his Dutch Warmblood, Ravel:

"That doesn't make him very easy to sit on.  When you have a big-moving horse like Ravel, you try first of all to be effective, but you must also make it look effortless, and that's impossible without the proper body and core strength."  He goes on to say, "As a Dressage rider, you want to be momentarily strong to give a correction.  But, the idea is not to ride consistantly with so much strength."

In other words, the muscles must be strong but only used when necessary.  But the strength has to be there in the first place!

It's a great article.  It really gives you an idea of how people like Steffen get to the top.  Like I said in an earlier email, most of us will never see anything close to the Olympics, but we owe it to our horses to be as fit as we can so we don't burden them with soft, untoned muscles, just "sitting" there on the saddle!

Hidden Farm:

Thank you for your concern.  I have worked with an Alexander Technique teacher in the past and she helped me with some pretty nasty back issues that I was having.  Yes, that technique is gentle and affective and I wish I could have continued my weekly sessions.  Unfortunately, cost was an issue…. The body work that Tom Nagel did on me at the clinic was like deep tissue massage.  When you have a problem and they dig deep, it’s going to hurt.  My muscles were extremely tight due to a few years of a bad back and inefficient movement.  Not everyone there experienced pain.  If I would practice what I preach more often, I wouldn’t have the problem! I agree that Alexander is the way to go….but unfortunately, cost can be a big deterrent.

Yes, I have read that book, in fact, my Alexander teacher loaned it to me!  It was good.  My tight muscles are due to a long winter of doing nothing at this point.  My back has improved so much over the past year.  It would be even better if I exercized more....must practice what I preach to my students!

I know of an Alexander/Riding teacher whom I would love to take lessons with....maybe when I win the big lottery!!!

Good luck!

Just today I came across your question and it happens to be my specialty to solve issues like yours. I am a PT and OMT II from Germany and do what - in my opinion - really is fun: giving riding lessons and integrating my professional knowledge and experience from working with (not only) professional athletes.

That said, I would like to give you both thumbs up for acknowledging that you have a problem. In most cases I hear the horse, the equipment or the trainer is the problem - the excuses are endless!!!

The answers you have gotten so far in this thread (and I did not read everything thoroughly) have been mostly on the right track.

The human body is very complex - you have muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, capsules, nerves, receptors and your central nervous system including your brain. This all needs to be able to function together as efficient as possible. The older you get the less adaptable your body becomes and sometimes bad stuff happens, like injuries and stress and your body starts compensating to deal with everyday situations. Eventually you don't even feel anymore that something is off or crooked. But when riding a horse symmetry and balance are absolutely necessary, it's fundamental. Then we need core strength, flexibility and coordination. 

Hearing your story - typically - (your case might be different but I would need to diagnose you) I don't think your problem is not enough strength in you lower leg, since you do not even need it's muscles for riding (your calf muscles need to be well stretched and you need good proprioception in your ankle, but that's about it). You probably lack strength around your hip and spine (adductors, gluteus, inside rotators). Your hip flexor needs to be stretched and also your proprioceptors are in need to be trained. Also your better right side needs to be mobilized (made more flexible) because it took over a lot for your week side (compensating).

Then there is your spine that is eventually in need of some adjustment - mobilization and strengthening depending on the situation of the individual segment. 

And last but not least your core strength needs to improve, not just through simple sit ups, this would be wrong, It's a little more complex and complicated so I am not even trying to explain a training program here.

So, you see, if there would be a golden recipe (a simple exercise) to fix a problem like yours, personal trainers and PT's would not be needed anymore.

The good news is that you don't have to go to a gym to train yourself for riding, you can do it easily at home. A good PT or personal trainer can customize an exercise program for you and your goals as long as they understand a little about that sport.

Other than that, I suggest a lot of seat exercises on the lunge line without stirrups and no reins concentrating on your weak left side not only in canter but also in trot and walk.

If you or your trainer need some help to understand certain connections feel free to contact me through my website www.HealthyRiding.com. I would love to help you!