‘Mobility’ a huge buzz word in the equestrian world now not only for our equine friends but for us too. Having greater mobility has been proven effective in improving position, posture and overall performance.
The more mobility you have the better connection with your horse.
However do we know what it really means…..
- Are flexibility and mobility the same thing?
- Why is mobility so key for you as equestrian athletes?
- How can we improve our mobility?
1.Mobility & Flexibility
Mobility/flexibility is a grey area, with the two often getting mistaken for the same thing. In short your flexibility is your stretch ability, for example your ability to prop one leg up on a box – your muscles are not working to hold you there the box is what is holding you there.
Mobility however would be your ability to then raise your leg off the box and hold it there – your muscles/ligaments/tendons are now responsible for holding you there.
Mobility = strength + flexibility. True mobility exercises work to increase your range of movement at each joint through muscular contraction, meaning you have strength and control over the movement whatever position your joint may be in.
Stiff/immobile joints don’t just occur when surrounding muscles are too tight but also when the surrounding muscles/structures are weak.
It is your bodies way of protecting you from injury by limiting the amount of movement allowed at the joint until you strengthen surrounding muscles/structures to support a greater range of movement.
2. Why is it Key for You, An Equestrian Athlete
It is probably pretty obvious to you which now is going to be more important to you and hopefully starting to understand why (if this makes zero sense to you please drop me a message and I shall explain further for you).
Having the ability to control and fine tune your movement of each joint is what we all strive for when trying to sit to that extravagant trot or canter or stay with our horse when they decide to take out a stride or two from the jump.
The art of making riding look so effortless requires the rider to be able to adapt and move with their horses every moment, reading and understanding their horse through their seat.
Total mobility throughout the body, holding no tension allows for fluidity and an effective, stable seat and creates that perfect partnership between horse and rider as we see among the elite in our sport.
The way you sit, ride and ability to adapt especially when jumping can save your horse from serious injury.
Getting fit and mobile isn’t just about you, but your horses wellbeing too. That pelvis that’s always out or stiffness on one rein, this is more often than not down to the way you sit and ride your horse.
The majority of us as riders will have imbalances and postural defects that can be easily corrected, they may be subtle/unnoticeable to the untrained eye but they can make a huge difference not only to you but your horses health and way of going too.
3. What Can We Do to Improve?
10 minutes a day. That’s all you need stick at it for a month and notice the improvements not only in your riding but in your movement, energy and posture.
10 minutes before you head out the door in the morning or while watching TV/before bed in the evening.
FREE 5 Day Mobility Challenge!
I have posted a sneak peek of my daily morning mobility (sped up too as Instagram limits to 30s) but for help on what you can do I will be holding a FREE online mobility 5-day challenge workshop starting Monday 4th February to help you develop your very own mobility routine.
It is aimed and designed specifically for you, and taking into account your busy schedules/mad dashing around the countryside this can all be done from the comfort of your own home, in your own time – all you need is access to the internet.
5 days of FREE mobility exercises, knowledge bombs, your chance to ask as many questions as you like, learn new skills and learn to move better and ride more effectively with all the support from myself and an exclusive group of likeminded individuals.
Places are limited so please message me direct at sinead@centrelineperformance.com to gain your free spot.
P.S. this is not like other offers where only some content is free this is 5 days all access totally free no tie-ins, catches or lies. I love what I do and want to share what I have learnt with you to see you become the best possible rider for your beloved 4 legged friends.
Please share this with anyone you think may be interested/friends/families/trainers….but places are limited so move quick!
Hope you all have an awesome week,
Sinead x
