Get on your horse easier in 5 simple steps.

Is the fear of not being able to get on your horse holding you back from enjoying time in the saddle? You really want to get back to riding your horse regularly, but you dread it because you struggle to get on. What if you focused on getting in better shape to make getting on easier?

Today I want to go over five simple steps to make getting on your horse more enjoyable.

1 | GET STRONG

Swinging a leg into the saddle looks effortless, but it actually requires strong muscle groups. Which ones are they?

Your abs and back
quads, hamstrings and glutes
biceps, triceps, and shoulders

You can strengthen these muscle groups by using weights or your own body weight for just 30 minutes a day, 2-3 days a week. Examples of exercises are plank holds, superman, lunges and squats, bicep curls, tricep kickbacks and military press.

2 | GET FLEXIBLE

Whether you are short or tall, you need to hoist that foot into your stirrup which requires flexible hamstrings. When you regularly work on flexibility, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to get on your horse, and how you grunt less! Practice yoga and stretching 2-3 days a week for as little as 10 minutes a day to see significant changes.

3 | GET BALANCE

Getting on your horse means you need to stand on one leg while you get your foot in your stirrup before can you swing on your horse. If you work to improve your balance, getting on will be more comfortable, and so will staying on your horse! Practicing yoga and stretching for as little as 10 minutes a day, 2-3 days a week will also improve your balance.

4 | GET HEALTHY

Who knew that wanting to get on your horse easier would lead you into your kitchen? Yep, let’s do it! If what you are eating is mostly junk food - chips, candy, soda, burgers and fries, then increased weight gain accompanied by stiff, sore joints will make it hard (and painful) for you to get on. Focus on cleaning up your diet. Start with a few easy things like reducing sugar and soda, drinking more water and adding vegetables to your plate. You’ll feel better, the scale will go down, and the stiffness and soreness will decrease.

5 | GET YOUR MIND RIGHT

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way, you are right. ~ Henry Ford.

Don’t work against yourself by saying it’s too hard or you’ll never do it. Positive self-talk is 90% of the battle. Take 2-3 minutes each day to visualize yourself getting stronger and more flexible. See yourself effortlessly swinging a leg into the saddle. Feel the feelings of how great it feels to get on your horse with ease. Seeing yourself succeed is the foundation to being willing to put in the work.

That’s it! Follow these five simple steps, and you will be getting on your horse easier in no time! Need a fitness plan? Try this 21-day horse rider fitness plan I used to get back in shape after I had my daughter.

What advice would you add about how to make getting on your horse easier? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Thanks for reading! xo

Want to make getting on your horse easier? Here’s how...