Yoga can help riders improve their ability to communicate with horses by developing a calm mind and balanced body. When riders dedicate time to yoga exercises before riding, it prepares them physically and mentally for challenges in the ring. Yoga builds strength, flexibility, body awareness, and a focused mindset that allows riders to give clear cues to their horses while staying relaxed and secure in the saddle. Pairing yoga with horsemanship creates a harmonious relationship that benefits both horse and rider.

1. by LINDSAY SMITH
Why Every Rider Should Practice As riders, we constantly seek to develop and improve our
ability to communicate physically and emotionally with our
equestrian partners.The task at hand is challenging enough,
but when you add the butterflies and nerves that many
of us take into the show ring, the seemingly simple act
of riding a horse can seem downright overwhelming and
often humbling. Bending our bodies to the proper position,
communicating clearly with our mounts, conquering
our nerves and our doubts—it can seem a physical and
mental gauntlet. However, these hurdles that stand in the
way of our best rides can be minimized through simple
exercises designed to properly prepare the mind and body
for the unique challenges of the show ring. By weaving
a combination of yoga postures into this relationship, an
internal shift toward stillness, quieting of the mind, and a
heightened body awareness is achieved.This builds a strong
foundation for a more balanced rider and horse partnership.
Yoga is a dynamic marriage between fluidity and
strength. When the physical aspect of yoga is combined
with breathing exercises, you remain present, find
a deeper seat and move in sync with your horse. A
rider who is balanced in mind, body, and spirit will
instill confidence, symmetry, and focus in their horse.
Dedicating a few minutes to key yoga exercises can
help open your muscles, improve balance, and focus
your mind before your ride. Imagine how tight and stiff
your muscles would be if you began a marathon without
proper stretching and preparation. Why would riding
be any different? The body needs to be prepared for
what lies ahead. Riders who take the time to prepare via
a pre-ride yoga routine, both mentally and physically,
show significant improvement in both the work arena
and show ring. They are more focused, relaxed, flexible,
and comfortable in the saddle.
Yoga

2. Lindsay Smith, e-RYT 500, is a certified Yoga Tune Up®
instructor, YogaWorks 500-Hour Yoga Teacher and physical
therapy assistant who specializes in teaching yoga to
professional and Olympic athletes. Lindsay’s unique approach
to yoga infuses sport-specific poses, anatomical awareness,
and invigorating breath work. She has coached some of the
best athletes in their fields from the high school, collegiate,
professional, and Olympic levels. Working directly with
coaching staff, Lindsay’s approach to yoga provides every
athlete the opportunity to maximize their performance in
their position, and longevity in their sport. Although athletes
are Lindsay’s specialty, she also works with individuals of all
ages and abilities using her skills and unique point of view to
customize an appropriate set of postures to surpass your goals.
www.RAWSportsYoga.com
As herd animals, our horses look to us for guidance,
support, and a sense of safety.They mirror our emotions
and are directly affected by our reactions. Keeping a calm
mind and body directly translates to a calmer horse.The
next time you’re on your horse, take a deep breath in and
completely relax as you exhale. Notice how quickly your
horse follows suit.To identify the physical aspect, engage
your abdominal muscles to balance and collect him slightly
and observe his centerline lift and shorten.
Furthermore,strength and flexibility go hand-in-hand.Without
flexibility,too much strength can lead to stiffness and bracing.
Flexibility without strength can lead to an absence of stability
and lead to injuries.Our horses feel tension through the saddle
and it directly impacts their performance.A consistent yoga
routine harmonizes your strength,flexibility and focus.
In addition to a calm mindset and sharp focus, riders
also need a great sense of body awareness and core
strength, which leads to balance. While yoga postures
can strengthen and stretch the entire body, I find one of
its greatest gifts is in searching out imbalances, tight or
instable spots. These all may translate into their riding.
This allows the rider to feel where their body is going
without having to look, making reaction times quicker,
and cues more accurate and quiet.
It is no wonder why pairing two ancient practices—
horsemanship and yoga—creates an unstoppable force.
Over the next few months, we’ll take a deeper look at yoga
postures that will warm you up, cool you down, help you
maintain riding stability when you’re away from the barn,
and keep you in the mental game.