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Improve
your balance. . .
Increase your
skill.
"As an exercise physiologist, I perform fitness, balance,
posture, symmetry, and body awareness clinics for equestrians
in the US and Canada with "rider specific" exercises
that mimic the many motions required by the horse and
rider... My
clients include riders of all disciplines from the U.S.
Pony Club to the United States Equestrian Team...I am
very happy to say that I have improve riding performance
with the aid of Fitter exercise products." Daniel Stewart,
Exercise Physiologist - EQUIS-TRAIN, CA USA
BEGINNING POSITION
Sit on the ball in proper riding position with your
feet on the floor. Anchor the toner on a post or in
a door and hold as reins. Practice a posting rhythm
on the ball. Let the ball bounce you up, and pause at
the top of the movement before returning to the ball
by squeezing and releasing with your legs. Alternative:
Close your eyes, visualize your course, test or pattern
while posting and applying leg yields.
 BALANCE
Sit on the ball in the correct riding position.
Take your feet off of the floor and tuck your
lower leg up. Holding the anchored toner as reins,
practice balancing without putting pressure on
your "horse's" mouth.
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 RISING
TROT
Keeping the proper position and maintaining your
balance, try to rise in the same rhythm as in
the beginning position.
* CAUTION: Move onto ADVANCED only after mastering
basic skills.
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 2
POINT
Seated on the ball, position yourself as in the
balance drill. Once you are balanced, lean forward
and bring your hips off the ball, keeping your
back straight and looking forward. Slowly return
to start position and repeat until you lose form.
Advanced: Add posting!
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 TUG-O-WAR(left)
Seated on the ball, assume the balance drill position
(Advanced: try kneeling on the ball). With a partner
use two toners linked together while holding the toner
handles, play "tug-of-war". Increase balance skills
and reaction times.
BUCKING BONGO! (right)
Get on the Bongo Board with a small ball placed in between
thighs. With a partner as the horse, use the toner handles
as reins. Practice lateral shifts in weight without
pulling on the toner. Improves smooth weight transfer
skills. Advanced: Have your partner tug on the "reins"
so that you have to work to recover your balance without
pulling back. |
