Ride with Balance, Flexibility & Strength

it can and will develop symmetrically so we do not become dominant on one side of our body. Body dominance or onesidedness is one of the many ways we create resistance in our horses. Not only is asymmetrical dominance hard on the horses body but if prolonged may lead to joint imbalance which can cause chronic biomechanical issues in both horse and rider. Some under saddle exercises such as lunging the rider on the horse will improve position but if the rider has underlying imbalances and most do then she really needs to get off the horse and work in a static or nonmoving environment. This allows the body the proper time and focus needed to correct the issue. 
As riders age it becomes even more imperative that they prepare their bodies so as to reduce and avoid injury. When the body is not prepared for riding commonplace injuries often include these areas upper and lower back neck hip knee and ankle. But with the right exercises most of the injuries caused by trauma strain fatigue or muscle imbalance over a joint can be avoided or at the very least minimized. This is where static state or dry land training comes in.
Here we look at the body as though it was constructed of levers the bones and pulleys the muscles and the points where the meet the joints. ROM refers to the full movement potential of a joint. When ROM is limited or restricted over a joint excessive wear and tear on the joint will occur much like stress on the hinges of a door that can open and close only halfway. Generally the result of muscle pulley imbalances over the joint if this reduced ROM continues over a prolonged period of time the overworked portion of the joint may