I was listening an episode of the Horse & Hound Podcast earlier, which contained an interview with Abi Lyle and in it they touch upon her fitness regime. 

As well as discussing how it has helped her body awareness she talked about how it mentally made her a better rider. How the mental benefits of exercise meant she wasn’t taking all of that excess mental energy into her riding-she likened it to needing to be lunged first! Which I’m sure many of us can relate to!! 

I definitely resonated with that. I’m quite a busy person in my mind and then quite fidgety in my body so “being lunged first” helps to clear some of that brain and body busyness making my mind and body stiller to ride. 

I think it’s something we should think about when looking at our exercise regime. 

Do you need to get rid of some fizz or release tension in mind and body? For some people that could mean high energy exercise such as running or it might mean slowing things down with some yoga. 

Or maybe you need to create a little more energy in your muscles, perhaps you actually need firing up? Maybe a dance or boxing class or again whatever takes your fancy to activate your brain and body ready to ride. 

This can have the two fold affect of putting you in a better headspace; but also tuning you into your body so you are more aware of your limbs and your Seat bones and how they are interacting with your horse as you ride. 

Are you a “needs to be lunged first” or more “a few carrot stretches and you’re good to go”? 

What is your favourite exercise to do to help your mindset?