The physical demands of riding
Riding a horse requires a unique combination of stability and yielding. The rider's body must be stable enough to communicate clearly with the horse, yet supple enough to absorb the horse's movement without bouncing or gripping. When the rider's body is rigid or out of balance, that tension is transmitted directly through the saddle and the reins to the horse.
Two specific physical patterns emerge frequently in equestrians. The first is an anterior tilt of the pelvis — an overarching of the lower back. This often stems from a weakness in the lower lumbar spine and core musculature, combined with tight hip flexors from sitting in the saddle. The second pattern is rigidity in the shoulder girdle and upper back.
Addressing the shoulder girdle
The upper body pattern is particularly consequential for the connection between the rider's hands and the horse's mouth.
"When they're holding the reins, they're not being pulled forward or overarching in the lumbar and pulling on the horse's face." — Tiffany Bergin
When the shoulders are rigid and rounded forward, the elbows cannot hang naturally by the rider's sides. The arms become stiff levers rather than elastic connections. Therapeutic yoga addresses this by working deeply into the dorsal spine (the upper thoracic region). We focus on allowing the corners of the shoulders to move back and the chest to open. When the upper back is mobile and the shoulders are correctly aligned, the elbows can release down. This allows the rider to maintain a soft, following contact with the horse's mouth without either being pulled out of the saddle or bracing against the reins.