In this video, I share a few simple fitness exercises you can add into your routine to help improve your contact and connection, and ultimately help your horse become rounder and more through. These exercises focus on posture, core stability, and independent rein aids so that your body can better support correct connection in the saddle.
You can do these exercises with a foam roller and a theraband, but if you do not have those at home, a rolled towel and even a pair of reins will work just fine.
Posture First
Good contact starts with good posture. When you take the reins, you want to think about opening your chest, widening your collarbones, and gently engaging your core. One of my favorite stretches for this is the I-T-Y stretch on the foam roller. This opens the chest, stretches the front of the shoulders, and helps counteract all the time we spend rounded forward at computers and in cars. Holding each position for about 30 seconds helps reset your posture before moving on to strength work.
Practicing Independent Rein Aids
Using a theraband or reins, you can practice opening rein aids off the horse. One hand stays steady while the other opens, with your elbow softly anchored at your side and your core engaged. This teaches your body how to isolate the inside rein while keeping the outside rein quiet and supportive. If one side is weaker, it is helpful to do extra repetitions on that side.
Rows for Core and Connection
Another great exercise is a simple rowing motion with the band anchored in front of you. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together, keeping your chest open, and maintaining a neutral spine with light core engagement. You can also break the movement into fingers, wrist, and then elbow to better simulate how you actually use the reins while riding.
Squats with Steady Hands
To really challenge your coordination, add squats while holding the band or reins. As you squat and rise, allow your elbows to bend and straighten so your hands stay level and steady. This is excellent practice for riders who struggle with their hands going up and down in the posting trot. You can make this more advanced by adding gentle suppling of one rein while keeping the other steady.
Why This Matters
Contact and connection do not come only from the hands. They come from a balanced, stable rider with an independent seat and core control. Rider fitness plays a huge role in your horse’s ability to move correctly. When you are stronger, more stable, and more coordinated, it becomes much easier to offer your horse clear, consistent contact.
These are not meant to replace a full fitness program with cardio and core work, but they are powerful tools to help ingrain the feeling of correct contact and connection when you are not in the saddle.
