Core control

We’ve all heard of core stability, know it’s helpful for our riding, and most of us know it’s something vaguely relating to the strength of the muscles around our mid-section. Off the top of your head, you could probably name at least a few exercises to employ to improve it. But what about when training your horse?

As riders, we sit on the weakest point of our horses’ backs, so it’s important for this area to be properly supported by the surrounding muscular infrastructure. Just like in humans, the network of muscles around the spine and mid-section are called the core – and they can only function at their best if they’re well-primed and your horse is comfortable enough to engage them. So, let’s find out a little more.

What’s the core?

There are two main types of muscle in the body. They’re classified as…

• movement muscles These tend to be close to the surface and cause one bone to move in relation to another and create motion. As an example, your biceps are movement muscles, causing your forearm to move in relation to the upper arm. They’re designed to have relatively high power for a short period of time. Think of them as sprint muscles
• stability muscles These are much closer to the joints and stabilise rather than move them. One place these stability muscles are particularly important is along your spine. The muscles close to the vertebrae not only create movement, but also help support your back and, subsequently, your spine. The stability muscles are designed to work at a relatively low power, for long periods of time. They’re like endurance muscles

Core stability muscles are the ones closest to the spine. They’re especially important in the lower back – or the lumbar spine – where there’s most opportunity for movement. They do exactly as they say – stabilise the core. Think of them like a corset or tin can supporting the spine.

This also reinforces the idea that the muscles wrap around the spine, and so they include those in front of it – our abdomen – as well as our back muscles. It’s the multiple small muscles closest to the spine that we’re talking about in terms of core stability.

Find out more about your horses’s core and how you can strengthen it in July Horse&Rider, on sale 27 May 2021.