Pilates for Horses utilizes the principles of Pilates in a thoughtful approach to training and rehabbing horses, useful for both professionals and amateurs. The program includes stretches, groundwork, longe work, and ridden exercises for horses of all disciplines.

Principles of Pilates:

Control: Ideally we are training the horse to activate the correct muscles at the correct time with balance, coordination, consistency and refinement. We must be in control of our aids, and our horse must be able to control his body. This is essential for quality gaits and transitions.

Center: This best applies to the horses’s core, which is the bridge between the front and hind end, from which energy must flow freely. A strong and stable center (core) is required for the rest of the body to move effectively.

Concentration: This requires channeling your horse’s energy and focus on a specific task or exercise.

Precision: Quality is key. Precision is the difference between moving efficiently and effectively vs. relying on pure strength to get something done. Think about re-training a thoroughbred who runs into the canter from trot at first. With consistent and correct training, the horse should spring into the canter from the precise aide, without quickening his pace.

Breath: It is essential that your horse is not holding his breath during work, which is a sign of stress, discomfort and/or tension. Paying attention to your horse’s breath will help you better understand what he’s feeling.

Flow: It is often said that a horse’s body is like a machine of interconnected pulleys and levers, and one movement affects or flows through the entire body. The machine must run smoothly without “sticky” bits of muscling or kinks. Flow can also be related to smooth, graceful, functional movement.

Awareness: Horses are good at compensating with altered movement patterns after an injury or due to pain. An important step in rebalancing the body is to make your horse aware of his own body and abilities.

Balance: Most horses have asymmetries in their body. It is important to strengthen and stretch muscles evenly on both sides, front to back and top to bottom. The goal is a balance between muscle and mobility.

Efficiency: Quality movement with as little effort as possible is the ultimate goal in Pilates and, in my opinion, riding.

Alignment: As with balance, its important to strive toward symmetrical muscles and straight/ even movement. Does your horse drift off the centerline? Do his feet track directly in line with his front feet? Proper stretching is essential for good alignment.

Coordination: The ability to move two or more body parts in a controlled and balanced way.

Stamina: Maintaining strength or movement for a sustained amount of time. This must be built up slowly and thoughtfully.

Lengthening: This can be thought of as either the lengthening of muscles, or the lengthening of gaits. Not only must the horse’s muscles be stretched and lengthened as they are strengthened in order to maintain mobility, but we also ask our horse to lengthen their stride which requires the harnessing of energy to create a “springy” and powerful movement.

Harmony: Horse and rider must work together to achieve the best possible movement. Your horse should respond quickly and smoothly to your aids without fighting or resisting. With balance often comes harmony.

The Pilates for Horses book is out now. Learn more and order your copy here.