No-Stirrup Riding Exercises

Riding without stirrups is a great way to stay in riding shape this winter without needing a ton of space or an outdoor arena.

- KELLY ALTSCHWAGER, NICHOLE CHIRICO

Kelly Altschwager lives in Wellington, Colorado, with her husband and two sons. She's an ACE-certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach and rider fitness and performance specialist. Kelly owns and operates Western Workouts, a customized coaching service geared toward helping the busy horseman sustainably reach their health, wellness, and performance goals. Learn more at westernworkouts.com

Fitness expert Kelly Altschwager shows you a few exercises you can do at home to build strength in the saddle.

We've all heard of No-Stirrup November, but that shouldn't be the only time you're kicking your feet out of the stirrups. Dropping your stirrups is a great way to build core and leg strength, but it's also a great way to improve your balance.

The best part? It doesn't matter if you're stuck in a small indoor arena or have to ride outside in snowy conditions. You can easily incorporate some of these drills into your riding routine so that by the time spring comes around you're feeling more confident in the saddle.

Adding Speed