Pilates for Horses: A Mind-Body Conditioning Program for Strength, Mobility and Balance

An innovative and easy-to-use application of Pilates principles to the training, conditioning, and rehabilitation of horses.

This highly illustrated how-to manual provides a clear guide to new ways of thinking about how to prevent injury in the horse, and when injuries do happen, to help the horse's body recover in a mindful and safe way.

As a Pilates teacher for humans, horsewoman and eventer Laura Reiman has seen first-hand how consistent, quality exercise can ward off strain and injury, as well as heal. When her young horse was diagnosed with extreme back pain and a neurological disease, she turned to her knowledge of Pilates--the method she'd used to ease back pain in human clients for years--for help. She began to find ways to "bridge the gap" between the horse's mind and body to help increase his body awareness and core engagement.

The result is a cohesive series of original exercises that can be taken in parts or as a whole and seamlessly incorporated into an existing training program to be a:

• Preventive tool to increase the horse's strength, balance, mobility, and stability.
• Framework for a new program to help ease a horse back into work following an injury or time off.

Readers will find chapters dedicated to:

• Observation--basic anatomy and how to "know" your horse's body and movement.
• Stretching--including incentive stretches, supported static hold, and dynamic mobilization stretches.
• Core work--such as the Cat Stretch and Bridging.
• In-hand strengthening work--like varied surfaces and ground pole progressions.
• Exercises on the longe line--transitions, bending, and spiraling.
• Lessons under saddle--gymnastics, hills, and basic dressage.
• Alternative bodywork--temperature therapy, massage, stability pads, bands, and more.

Pilates for Horses is an ideal instructional guide for all riders and trainers looking to build and maintain a solid foundation of strength and comfort for their horses.