Im WEAK! D:

Yep, it's true, I really am.
Im SUPER weak. Lord knows why, it's probably cause I don't work out :P
But my point is, Im so weak to where in my lessons, I can barely canter. I can canter in two-point, and half seat, but I just get so tired when sitting the canter that I HAVE to stop or else I WILL fall off, and so then my trainer gets mad at me :P My legs start quivering and shaking all over the place after one round. Im not tired at all at the trot, and I can even trot in two-point for hours on end on the bumpiest horse and not get tired, so Im thinking the reason I get so tired at the canter is that its using different muscles Im not accustomed to using. Especially when jumping. I can trot a small course easily, but in the canter, I just can't go on. Ill have to periodically stop and then start again slowly. And no, I do not think it's because I am unbalanced. I feel pretty secure, but I just rapidly grow extremely tired. I've also noticed that I get extremely tired at the sitting trot with no stirrups as well.


My muscles are just NOT in shape. So my question is:
What are some easy exercises I can do every day at home to start getting my muscles into shape? We have a tredmill but that's in storage for another two weeks until we move and can take it out, so once that's at our home, Ill start using it. I've also started taking Vitamins so hopefully that will add a little more boost.

I really need some help on this, as it's affecting me in a way to where I leave my lessons feeling upset with myself.

So does anyone have a full work-out routine to help me?
I eat pretty healthy. My mother is definitely a health nut, so we eat as healthy as possible at home. No sodas, rarely any chips, and if any, theyre all organic and baked. I eat my veggies and fruits :]

Thanks!

Hi Grace. I used to take dressage lessons and I would get so tired at extended cantering that I had to stop or risk falling off.
How often each week can you ride? If it's only once a week, then it's understandable that you become tired. And if it takes a lot of energy to get your horse to move forward, that too is tiring.
Part of this is that you are probably straining TOO hard. But I dont' know that for sure.

Since you are working the inside of your thighs alot, it would be good to develop the outer thigh. Stand on one leg, engage abs and lift the other out to the side. Do this when you stand at the sink to wash dishes. Do ten.
When you go to brush your teeth. Do ten. It really works abs too, and balance. Squats are also good.
Stand feet shoulder widtha aaprt at a natural angle, so that when you do down, your knee will track right over your foot.
Stick your butt out behind you and engage abs. Put hands out in front of you for counter balance to butt. Lift your toes and have weight go down into heels. Now, down slowly, up slowly never releasing abs. Ten.


Very simple but will strenthen core and quads.

Take care!

Start running. Running helped my riding fitness out of sight as its also excellent for building your core. It's all good and well to just strengthen your muscles but you need aerobic fitness to go with it. Try to get out for a 30minute run a few times a week and I promise you'll notice a difference.
In conjunction with your running, you can do muscle strengthening exercises, as tiny said, squats are good for your legs so start there.

My routine for muscle strength each day consists of doing a series of squats each night, and then alternating between push ups (on my toes not 'girl' push ups on my knees!!) and sit ups to work on my outer muscles such as abs and arms to be pretty basic!
And the next night I'll do squats and then work on my core so doing either the 'bridge' (get on your toes and elbows, forearms facing forward, back straight so that you're engaging your core to hold yourself up. Now hold that for 5 minutes and you're on the right track!) or a bit of a variation of a sit up, where I lay on my back, shoulders slightly off the ground and then bringing my legs up into an action like I'm peddling a bike. This is a fantastic core building exercise and it BURNS!!

Good luck, go get buff ;)

I'd say some healthy food and good exercise should build muscle up pretty good.

RTG
This game of horse riding is no sinecure. Outsiders think that just because you are sitting down for most of the time it is soft easy exercise. Those folks seem to ignore the fact that the rider is battling with a 600 kilos mass of muscle and blood, commonly known as a horse.

For exercising , Pilates is ideal as it exercises all the muscles you use when riding. Buy a book if you must, find an instructor would be better.

As a newcomer you'll use more energy than you ought to need when developing your riding skills, once your muscles are tuned in, riding will feel easier.

Now, I'll run the risk of offending and if so please accept my apologies - but when I know I am going to spend a few hours on a horse I make sure I have a healthy breakfast of bacon and eggs and certainly if I can fix it, I'll make allowance for a lunch. - preferably steak and chips (Oh and a glass of wine).
You'll have to excuse me, but I am an old man after all.

If you are not eating enough, then of course you'll feel weak.

Im not necessarily new to riding, as I've been riding for nine years so far, but after a one year break, it seems I've lost all my strength. As for eating, I know, I'm awful about breakfast :P

Thanks for the advice everyone! Ill take all of it into account and will be making my own schedule soon to start working out.

Oh and I just started riding twice a week. I used to ride only on Saturday mornings, but now I've started riding after school on wednesdays, which is awful because I'm already tired even before my lesson.
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