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Balance, strength, and flexibility. Should your horse do pilates?

Bettina Stecher | december 11, 2023

in pilates, among other things, one can use mattresses. photo tifoto

Horses can certainly do pilates, and most of them enjoy it too. However, it doesn't involve lying down on a mat as it often does with humans. The purpose of pilates is the same, regardless of whether the practitioner has two or four legs; namely, to optimize strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness.

When we mount our horses, we inevitably put wear and tear on their musculoskeletal system. To ensure that our horses can actually withstand what we subject them to, it's important that we work to optimize their physical form. This can be done, among other ways, through targeted exercises.

In pilates, exercises are designed to enhance core stability, create strength, flexibility, and body awareness. This is crucial to maintain the horse's ability to perform without breaking down along the way.

Core stability, balance, and strength are, in other words, just as important for the horse as for the rider. Besides a healthy posture, it can contribute to more effective training, improved performance, and can reduce the risk of injury. And it's a pleasant and fun supplement to riding, which can even help strengthen the partnership in the equestrian team.

The theory behind pilates

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, an expert in movement and biomechanics. He created a system of exercises and stretches, all based on the theory that a strong core system supports the back and minimizes the risk of muscle injuries.

Helping the body find balance

Pilates exercises for horses work, among other things, to improve the horse's posture and movement. Furthermore, they can help the body find the fine balance between elasticity and flexibility. It's precisely here that the horse's body has the opportunity to perform optimally and even with significantly less risk of injury, strain, or tension.

The optimal supplement to riding

Stimulation and strengthening of the core muscles can be achieved through correct work with the horse in riding. But there are also a number of ground exercises that finely work with the core muscles without the load from the rider. Pilates, for example.

Pilates strengthens and makes more flexible the very muscles that ensure good posture, and assist in carrying the rider. Things that we, as riders, have a great interest in. Furthermore, pilates can be an important part of a rehabilitation program, where you can go in and strengthen specific muscles or areas on the horse.

9 Reasons to practice pilates

Strengthens and stretches the small and large muscles of the body
Protects against muscle strain
Promotes a healthy and proper posture
Strengthens the body's joints
Improves the balance between body and mind
Stimulates blood circulation
Highly suitable for rehabilitation after injuries or surgery
Very gentle, and therefore suitable for everyone
Increases body awareness

5 Good pilates exercises for the horse

Sternum lift

This exercise is good for increasing flexibility and elasticity in the back. It also works on stimulating the chest sling and abdominal muscles, both of which are important in maintaining a proper posture.

The exercise helps optimize the back's posture. Photo: Tifoto

How to do it

Stand beside the horse around its girth area and look in at the horse.
Place your hand on the horse's sternum, and pat it gently until it's comfortable with it.
Press upwards with your fingertips, and maintain the pressure so the horse lifts around the withers.

Goal: The exercise stimulates the muscles around the chest sling and the abdominal cavity. These muscles are important for optimizing back posture and are crucial in carrying the rider's weight.

Backing up

This exercise is good for lifting and bending the back. It strengthens the muscles and structures that activate the hind legs and help in carrying the rider's weight. You might call this exercise an inverse collection.

This exercise contributes to strengthening the structures that help in carrying the rider. Photo: Tifoto.

How to do it

Move the horse forward and then stop.
Get the horse to walk backward by applying light pressure on its chest.
Keep the horse's head as low as you can. It encourages the horse to lift its back. If it's difficult, you can use a carrot to keep the head low.
Let the horse take a minimum of 10 steps back in a good rhythm.
Be mindful that the horse doesn't rush the exercise and increase its pace

Goal: To lift and bend the back and to strengthen the muscles that help in carrying the rider.

Carrot low to the side

This exercise is good for increasing flexibility in the back and the lower part of the neck. It contributes to a healthy back posture, and also increases the body's ability for lateral bending. In short, it's a thorough and effective stretching exercise.

Remember, stretching exercises should be done when the horse is warmed up, for example, after riding.

This exercise increases core stability and strengthens the abdominal muscles. Photo: Tifoto.

How to do it

Stand with your back against the horse’s ribs, right around the girth area.
Hold the carrot in the hand closest to the tail.
Keep the carrot close to the horse’s lips to ensure a smooth movement.
Move the carrot down under your knee that is closest to the tail.
Hold the stretch for 5-10 seconds before giving the carrot to the horse.
Repeat the exercise 2-3 times on each side of the horse.

Goal: To increase core stability, strengthen abdominal muscles, enhance the flexibility of the back, and overall suppleness.

Stepping over raised poles

This exercise is beneficial for increasing flexibility and elasticity through the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and hocks. This occurs as the joints flex and extend, and blood circulation increases in the surrounding soft tissues.

This exercise, among other things, makes structures around the shoulder, hip, knee, and hock more supple. Photo: Tifoto

How to do it

Lead the horse over one or more poles on the ground at a slow pace.
Gradually increase the height of the poles until they are at the height of the horse’s front knees.
Encourage the horse to lower its head, which helps lift the back.

Goal: to strengthen the muscles and structures that assist in bearing weight, hip flexion, and stability around the pelvis. The exercise is also effective for making structures around the shoulder, hip, knee, and hock more supple.

Sideways steps over poles

This exercise is effective for increasing flexibility and movement in the joints and muscles used in lateral movements.

This exercise strengthens, among other things, the structures involved in lateral movements. Photo: Tifoto

How to do it

Lay 3-5 poles in a line, one after another.
Walk diagonally over the poles in a zig-zag pattern.
Ensure that the horse steps over first with the foreleg that is closest to the pole.
Keep the horse’s head low.
Gradually increase the height of the poles until they are level with the horse’s front knees.

Goal: For the horse to lift and bend its back, hips, shoulders, and elbows, as well as hocks and knees. You are also working to strengthen the muscles and structures involved in activating the hind knees, hip flexion, and stabilization of the pelvis. The exercise also strengthens the structures the horse uses when making lateral movements.

General far all exercises

Ensure to perform the exercises at a calm pace and with a low head position – this optimizes the results.

If you are interested in reading more about pilates, the horse's musculoskeletal system, and exercises to relieve tension and stress in the horse's body, you can find inspiration in the book “Pilates and Stretching for Horses” by Gillian Higgins.

Sources:

“Pilates and Stretching for Horses” by Gillian Higgins

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