Tips for Balance and Flexibility
As an equestrian it is not just important to stay fit and strong, it is also important to stay balanced and flexible. I think riding is kinda like a dance. The better you learn to move with and seemingly direct your partner, your horse, the better you will be. To work on this I use breathing exercises and yoga stretches.
For breathing, I practice sitting quietly and breathing in for 10 seconds and out for 10 seconds. Controlling breathing is directly related to heart rate. There are phone apps that can measure pulse as you follow breathing instructions so you can see how directly correlated these are. Practicing breathing can help with nerves. Before walking into a competition, working on breathing exercises can slow the heart rate, decrease nerves, and allow for better focus.
Yoga stretches help keep the body loose and therefore relaxed in the saddle. Some of my favorite stretches are puppy pose: for back and shoulders. Pigeon pose: for hips and glutes. Butterfly: for inner-thigh and back. Forward fold: for hamstrings and back.
The key to all of these is to stay relaxed, don't push it. Work on them a little bit each day, consistency brings results.