b'EQUESTRIAN PILATESBy Leah DarlingE questrian Pilates is forthe right place at the right time. Outside riders of all disciplinesof saddling our horse or lifting grain and riding abilities. It canbags or bales of hay, the strength we need benefit the broad spectrum ofto maintain correct riding posture are riders from professionals atmore isometric contractions. This means the National Finals Rodeo, theholding certain muscles stable (your World Equestrian Games tocore) while using another set of muscles your local shows and recreational trail riders. Equestrian(arms, legs or seat) to cue your horse. The Pilates provides insights to develop self-awareness ofother part of that is being able to isolate body movements and includes a specifically designedcertain muscles and get them to activate or exercise program to enhance proper riding form. Thiscontract with the correct timing.is not riding instruction, its a body posture assessment and movement analysis. It would be ideal to blend theFlexibility is the third pillar of Equestrian assessment findings with feedback from your ridingPilates. Flexible muscles and joints give the instructor or coach.body the ability to move freely and easily. It can allow the rider to stretch their legs long Equestrian Pilates is the blending of traditional Pilatesin the stirrups or lean over to open a gate or exercises selected to correct riders imbalances. Pilatesretrieve their rope. Flexibility can also help is a whole body system. Pilates can teach us to performprevent injuries. The more pliable you are small, subtle movements in isolation. These isolated,the better you bouncenot that any of us yet whole body movements can then be translated intohave hit the ground before!riding. By using our body to give small, subtle cues we are sending signals to our horse. Pilates can be done atBalance is the fourth and final pillar of home, a studio or barn area. Teaching can either be oneEquestrian Pilates. Balance can be both our on one or in a group setting.sitting and standing balance. In addition, the assessment reveals our right to left, front to An Equestrian Pilates initial session starts with an offback and top to bottom asymmetries.the horse evaluation. The horse and rider mirror each other. How the rider moves off the horse is exaggeratedIn your initial assessment, some of the on the horse. This evaluation reveals muscular strengths,highlights we look at are your posture, weaknesses, movement patterns, inflexibilities, andloading preference of your seat, single leg posture. These findings can help design a program tostance, and specific muscles for strength correct specific imbalances and in turn, gives betterand flexibility. With your assessment insights of body alignment in the saddle. Equestriancompleted a specific program for your Pilates was designed and is a registered trademark ownedopportunities for improvement can be by Elizabeth Hanson and is used with her permission. assembled into an individualized program. Let me give you a personal example of how EquestrianAs I was armed with my new knowledge Pilates improved my awareness which in turn affectedof my opportunities for improvement my riding. While loping Target to the left we usuallywe can circle back to my rides on Target ended up drifting toward the center of the arena. Ofand Squeaky. My pattern was to sit intoEquestrian Pilates providescourse, it could not be the rider-it had to be the horse! my right hip, shifting my weight more into A month later in Montana at my aunts ranch, I rode onemy saddle on the right, making my right leginsights to develop self-awareness of their horses, Squeaky. We were loping to the left andseem longer which presses my right leg into again started drifting towards the center of the arena.the horse, leaving my left leg further away. of body movements andThis horse had the same problem! I had to look at theThose are just a few nuggets of my physical common denominator of both horses and it was ME. Iimbalances, yet you can begin to clearlyincludes a specifically designed took myself through the Equestrian Pilates evaluationsee why both horses were drifting into the and figured out my deficits which were affecting themiddle of the arena while loping to the left. horses. We will round back to my findings later in thisThey were doing exactly what my body wasexercise program to enhancearticle to give you insights on how you may benefit fromtelling them to do. As I became aware of a personalized assessment.my patterns, I stretched what was tight andproper riding form.strengthened what was weak. In addition, Just like a horse has four legs, there are four pillars of thecertain exercises improved my right to left side balance Equestrian Pilates system. They are awareness, balance,and improved my sitting balance. Once these changesin Evansville, Indiana. In addition, she completed her flexibility, and strength.were made I no longer drifted into the center of thestudies as a Comprehensive Pilates Instructor through arena loping to the left with these horses.Balanced Body University. Leah is the only certified Awareness is the first and most important pillar. TheEquestrian Pilates Instructor in Arizona. She has been in horse feels a fly land on them, so they can feel and areIn summary, every riders body and every horse hasPhysical Therapy practice for 25 years. aware of our every micro motion. Often they can movestructural and muscular imbalances. Take the opportunity in response to what we are even thinking about into become aware of your imbalances while gaining theLeahs specialized skills include being classified as an preparation for movement. The more the rider is awaretools to improve them and ultimately optimize yourExpert Myofascial Release Therapist (Highest level of what they are doing the sooner they can correct it. Itsconnection with your horse and your riding. Great ridingof training), Comprehensive Pilates Rehabilitation, often a case of you dont know what you dont know andis about balance, timing, and feel. Learn to maximize yourEquestrian Pilates Certified and CranioSacralif you dont know you cant fix it. riding with Equestrian Pilates.Therapy. She is a full instructor for the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Treatment Center and Seminars.Strength is the second pillar of the Equestrian PilatesLeah Darling completed her Masters in Physical TherapyShe has a Quarter Horse gelding Chester and lives in system. Functional strength is the strength needed atand Bachelor of Science from the University of EvansvilleCave Creek, Arizona.ArizonaRealCountry.com April 2019 17'