Exercises for strengthening riding muscles???

Does anyone have any exercises that will strengthen my muscles to help improve my riding?? Im most concerned about my calves as I have to teach baby to be responsive to leg aids but I don't have a lot of strength!!

The best thing is alot of riding without stirrups. It is really helpful if you have somebody that can lunge you while you practice, especially at first, so you can concentrate on yourself. If not, then you can do the same on your own, just make sure you aren't pulling on the horses mouth. First work on it at the walk, then sitting trot, rising trot, 3-point canter, and then finally 2-point. It will take a long time to get there, but once you do you have a really strong seat, balance, and more strenght in your legs.

You can also either drop the reins or hold them in one hand, and do exercises with your arms while you are riding. Like putting your hands on your hip, shoulders, arm circles, hold them over head, to the side, in front of you. Just about anything you can imagine.

There is a book called Fitness for the female equestrian that has some on the ground exercises in it that might be helpful. I'm not at home so I can't look at it right now, but that would be another place to start.

Drop your stirrups! Most effective. And make sure your heels stay down even when you aren't using your stirrups.

Also, 2 point is a good exercise even with your stirrups - I would always make my saddleseat eq. Kids do a 15 minute 'warm up' with 2 point :)

I agree with everyone. 2 point help alot also droping you sturips. Post up and down at the walk or go up and down on 1 leg when standing then switch to get the other side.

2 point is very good also I made my students put their heels in the stirrups and keep weight in the stirrup. It really works . For your thighs take a peice of paper and fold it so it looks like a big dollar bill and put it between your thigh and the saddle you have to ride around with it and make sure it doesn't fall out . It really works the thighs.

Everything everyone has said sounds great. I would just add one thing . . .I don't think anyone else said it (if you did, sorry I missed it.) But post or just ride all three gaits with just one stirrup, making sure to keep correct posture. Just a suggestion

If you're looking for non-horse related exercises....

Calf stretches...stand with toes on a stair or curb and just stretch your heels all the way down and then lift up several times.

Pilates and yoga both seem to be pretty good for horseriding muscles.

Indoor rock climbing also works alot of the same muscle groups

No-stirrup work & posting without stirrups is GREAT for your position, balance, & leg muscles!
2-point exercises are good. Trotting around in your 2-point or walking too helps, just going around the arena a few times.

Dropping your stirrups is really good.... idk what two point is....

Also things that are good from the ground....

Squats, this is a really good one......

Step-ups are good, it's where you step on a step and off of it...

Haha, I use a balance board, but that's probably a bit unreasonable here....

Wall sits are really good too!!