Rider Exercises? (Im feeling rusty!)

[Jojoba]

I got back on my little po today for the first time in AGES, and he was very very good .
We just had 20mins in walk and trot in the school but I am so glad to be back on!
I have decided 2011 is Bob's year for doing stuff, as he turned 6 at the end of last summer and is now a grown up. He will be doing much more schooling now in preperation for doing some dressage (that is what I bought him for, after all!).
However, happy hacking for the last year and then hardly riding at all for the last 2-3 months has taken its toll and my body isnt doing as it is told :p. Strangest thing so far is that my right leg, which has always been the one I am weaker in, is really quite uncomfortable when riding :s. Its the front of my shin, near my ankle, which is sore; and dropping the weight down that leg is difficult as it seems quite tight :(.

A few years ago I went and had some lessons with Sue Neville-Parker, and I remember she had lots of wonderful ideas for practising riding when not on a horse (I think she even talked about having old saddles made into chairs; something I have always wanted to do!). I remember her having an exercise ball to train the seat and 'feel' whilst also limbering up - however at 5'10" I have great difficulty finding exercise balls big enough for me to sit on without my knees under my chin!

Anyone have any good horse rider exercises?
My props include 2 hula hoops (I cant hula hoop though - have you ever tried?! Its so hard!), yoga mat and weights.

Thanks!

xxx

[crdodgeon]

No helpful off horse exercise ideas from me, tho' I've got a good routine that Lee puts me through when I ride.

In terms of the pain, I could be entirely wrong, but from what you describe it sounds a bit like shin splints. Do you notice it at any other time?

[kezshad]

I thought I couldn't Hula Hoop either, but it's all in the stance.

One foot in front of the other and almostriotk backwards and forwards. I can do it for ages now. Oh and weighted hoops are easier to hula with 

[Jojoba]

crdodgeon - I dont notice it any other time, except on the odd occasions when Im forced to run, so I guess shin splints could be possible.
Im in agony today from my 20mins gentle walk and trot ride yesterday - gone are the days when I used to ride 3hrs a day! No wonder Im a stone heavier than I used to be :p.
kezshad - I am going to try that as soon as my teriyaki tofu goes down. Feeling a tad queasy. But sounds good (and probably looks better than the ridiculous frog with its back feet glued to the floor (funny when its boyfriend, not when its me :p).

xxx

[prettydaffodil]

I'm afraid I'm no good at offering you exercise recommendations - I once asked my physio for some recommendations but, because he'd never sat on a horse, his advice was worthless!

However, if you want an exercise ball for tall people, there's a company called Physical Company that sells a huge variety of gym balls - I've just had a quick look and they recommend a 65cm diameter ball for anyone up to 6ft, with a 55cm ball for the threshold below that (which I think was up to 5'8).  I'm not much good at inserting links but will try this...
http://www.physicalcompany.co.uk/main_search.asp