Crap from the barn

Randall, C., Strength and Injury Resistance Training for Equestrain. Retrieved May 24, 2008. from

     http://RockSolidGym.net

In this article, Randall, a personal trainer,  shows an understanding of equestrain activities and the strength it takes to be efficient in the sport. It is a short article but is full of support for my claim that strength in the back and abdomen is a major factor in not only the efficiency of riding but also in the prevention of injuries and tension.

His focus is on the strengthing of opposing muscles therefore, it is not ideal for one to have a strong back and have weak abdominal muscles or visa versa. This opposing muscle development theory is of great importance in developing weight distribution and stability. This allows the back to more evenly distribute the weight of the rider which takes the strain off certain parts of the back.  He states that ”there is no such thing as a strong back that has pain.” 

He also notes that a rider should not only build muscle strength but also muscle endurance in both the back and abdominal muscles. He recommends that the athlete begin with a “mix of lower repetition sets to build strength typically 6-8 reps.”  For the endurance, the reps are increased to 12-15 times.

This training is needed to help better stabilize the lower back.  As a result, the less stress equals better injury resistance. The rider will then be able to manage the horse more effectively because strength willnot be an issue and neither will pain or tension.