Being "fit" enough for lessons

I have started taking lessons despite having my own horses, on a lesson horse. They are fun but its difficult bc w/ the weather amongst other issues I am not able to ride my horses at all...I have lessons once a week or sometimes less and I am so tired so quickly from not riding much that I feel my position isnt getting back to how it used to be very quickly... I know how to ride but feel like a total beginner during my lessons bc I just flop around...any advice? I can't take more frequent lessons due to $$, unfortunately :/

If I were you, I would ask your instructor to help you conserve your energy-- where should you be relaxing, where should you maintain some tension? I think you'll probably hear something like-- don't tense in your legs/seat, but do focus on pulling your shoulders back/sticking your chest out to keep your posture straight. I know how much tensing in your seat and stressing out about being "floppy" can wear you out!

I think it's a great idea to take lessons on a different horse. :) That way you can set a precedent with your own horses-- when you do ride, you'll ride more correctly and they'll learn to respond to the correct cues and body language!

Maybe you can start going for walks every day or doing squats/situps before the shower... little things to help strengthen the muscles that will keep you in the saddle so that you become fatigued less quickly. The other thing-- after a lesson, go home and eat something high in protein! Eggs, meat, etc... the same way you would as if you had just worked out (because you did!).

Thanks for your advice...unfortunately I don't eat eggs or meat haha. Im a really picky eater. I do go to the gym about every other day or so, maybe I will try some exercises more targeted towards riding muscles.

Ha! You know, as I was typing that, I thought to myself "gee I hope she isn't a vegetarian/vegan, or else this is moot..." :) Well, whatever source of protein you eat-- it might help! Good luck!

I'm in the same predicament, though I take one lesson/week on a lesson horse and one with my horse to keep her "tuned up" as we're still building respect and trust. I'm very out of shape though due to some exercise restrictions I had when pregnant and never got back to my routine until now. I also find as another mentioned that my fears and tensing wears me out quickly too. More riding seems to be the biggest thing that helps me there, but due to the weather and poor footing, I can't ride more. My horse is not relaxed enough to be staying at the walk (she spooks & sometimes gets buddy sour) and not hurting herself in the wet footing.

One thing that's helping me is I do ab exercises, and I have a gazelle that I use to target my thighs as they seem to wear out for posting. I also practice posting on the steps for my balance and use an exercise ball to help with "centering" myself and my balance.

Thanks for your advice!! What is a gazelle? I usually use a cybex arc thing...havent seen much of a difference from it though!! I will def add some ab exersizes!

lol!!!

A gazelle is basically an alternative to a treadmill that mimics the movement of walking/jogging/running but is easier on my knees than actually doing those exercises outside or than the impact of my knees on the treadmill. It has what I would best describe as "gliders" with a gripper for your feet. Part of my routine on the gazelle includes more of a squatting position which strengthens my upper thighs. In fact I think I overdid it a bit Tue and I feel it a bit today lol! I also have an ab chair (don't know what its really called) that I use to cover different sections of my abs but I also include some ab exercises on my gazelle too.

Oh, I think its an ab lounger lol!

Nice! I will definitely see if they have some gazelles at the gym I got to :)