Charlie Hutton’s 3 simple no-stirrups exercises for building balance in the saddle

The instruction to “take away and cross your stirrups” may signal hard work, but these exercises pay dividends.

If you’re a rider on a schedule who wants an easy way to test and improve your riding independence, no stirrup exercises for balance are an ideal place to start.

“As a rider, balance isn’t about grip or having a stirrup on the ball of your foot,” says Charlie Hutton, international grand prix dressage rider, British Equestrian Podium Potential Pathway and UKCC Level 3 coach.

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