Rebecca learned to become a good rider faster than any student I have ever had. Her success rested largely on her years as a gymnast. That experience gave her strength and balance.
An idea that I read in this month's Men's Health brought this idea along. Instead of merely lifting weights in a gym, use the bags of minerals or feed that you have access to to get stronger and gain balance. Carry the bag of feed on either shoulder and do deep knee bends. Cradle the bag like a baby and twist your truck as fast as you can. Run while holding the bag under one arm (short distances fifty yards, etc). Be creative.
As always ask your doctor before try any of this.
Many more novices fall from a horse than are thrown from a horse. Strength, balance, technique and confidence will prevent most of those falls.
This form of exercise builds strength and balance.
1 comment:
Funny how the same thoughts occur...I have long thought of opening a farm gym..."Ok, For today's session, we will take this truckload of hay bales, and stack them neatly in that barn. Fifty yards away. Tomorrow we will buck and split that tree into firewood and stack it." In accordance with PT Barnum's (Or Tom Sawyer's) philosophy, it is possible to get someone to pay you for the privelege of performing your farm chores for you.
In all seriousness, there is little excuse for how out of shape the average american is these days, we sit in tiny, inhospitable cubicles for long hours with little activity, and then pay someone else to get excercise that was a normal part of life for Americans just three or four decades ago, we ride contraptions everywhere, our entertainment is very often watching other people exercise, our chief export seems to be cheap entertainment.
There was no such thing as a supermarket before about 1946, a person had to either grow or trade for foodstuffs, which were simple staples, few culinary adornments, and no chemicals, bacon and ham excepted. A person had to hustle any way you look at it. Floors had to be swept, there was no such thing as a suck-broom, never mind a robotic one. To interact with one's fellow man, one had to move around. Now we do not. And this is progress? I can only imagine what Black Elk would have to say about this sad state of affairs. The point being, if you are not a gym rat, take what exercise you can get from everyday life. Then get on a horse and go see something interesting. -Lloyd
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