The Rider Refiner - EquiPilates, Rider Fitness and Therapy

The Rider Refiner - EquiPilates, Rider Fitness and Therapy Fitness

How You Can Help Yourself Daily as a Rider You don't have to spend hours training to become a better rider. Just 10-15 m...
09/07/2026

How You Can Help Yourself Daily as a Rider

You don't have to spend hours training to become a better rider. Just 10-15 minutes each day can make a huge difference to how you move in the saddle.

My top daily tips

• Stretch your hips to improve mobility.

• Strengthen your core for better stability and balance.

• Mobilise your spine to help you move with your horse.

• Work on your posture and alignment.

• Practise standing on one leg to improve balance.

• Franklin Ball session to release tight muscles and improve body awareness.

• Take a few deep breaths before you ride to help you relax and connect with your horse.

• Finish with a few minutes of stretching after your ride.

Remember, a more balanced, mobile and supple rider helps create a happier, more comfortable horse.

Small changes every day lead to big improvements over time.

- Which of these do you already do? Let me know in the comments!

Hayley
The Rider Refiner

How tight are your hip flexors as a rider? Do you feel you sightly forward in the saddle? Do you feel you lift you knee ...
07/07/2026

How tight are your hip flexors as a rider?

Do you feel you sightly forward in the saddle?

Do you feel you lift you knee up ?

Stretching out your hip flexes can help you.

👌Lengthen your legs

🙌 Reduce back pain

Try this exercise out holding the stretch for 15/20 seconds each side 🤸‍♂️

04/07/2026

What an amazing day I had yesterday at Nicki Ashworth Equestrian camp at Someford Park! 🤍

I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic group on biomechanics, posture, balance and alignment, helping riders understand how imbalances in their bodies can affect their position, movement and performance in the saddle.

We worked through simple assessments and corrective exercises that riders can take away and use to improve their mobility, stability and overall riding.

I absolutely love helping riders move better, feel stronger and become more balanced both on and off their horses.

Thank you to everyone who came along – it was such a lovely day! 🐴✨

🐴 Rider Biomechanics & Franklin Ball Clinic I'm going to be holding a Rider Biomechanics & Franklin Ball Clinic at Robin...
24/06/2026

🐴 Rider Biomechanics & Franklin Ball Clinic

I'm going to be holding a Rider Biomechanics & Franklin Ball Clinic at Robinsons Equestrian centre Birtle.

This clinic will focus on rider posture, alignment, balance, and body awareness both on and off the horse.

We'll look at how your body moves, where any imbalances may be affecting your riding, and ways to improve your position, comfort, and connection in the saddle.

🔹 Off-horse group biomechanics screening
🔹 Corrective exercises to take away and practise at home
🔹 Franklin Ball exercises on horse
🔹 Rider balance, posture & transitions
🔹 Suitable for all levels of rider and horse
🔹 Walk and trot work or any level
🔹 Small group of just 4 riders
🔹 Approx. 2-hour clinic
🔹 Arena hire included

☕ Plus brews and flapjacks included 😊
This will be a relaxed, friendly and supportive clinic designed to help riders feel more balanced, stronger, and more aware in the saddle.
💰 £55 per person

Saturday 11th of july 10am start.

If you'd like to book a place or would like more information, please drop me a message.
Thanks,
Hayley ☺️

Over the past few weeks, I've been attending a few different camps teaching Equi-Pilates, helping riders become more awa...
17/06/2026

Over the past few weeks, I've been attending a few different camps teaching Equi-Pilates, helping riders become more aware of their posture, alignment, balance, and what may be causing imbalances within their bodies in everyday life.

We make the sessions fun and relaxed there's nothing too serious about them! It's all about moving, stretching, learning about your body, and enjoying the process.

Riders put so much time, effort, and dedication into looking after their horses, but often forget to look after themselves. That's where I come in as *The Rider Refiner*.

By improving posture, mobility, strength, and body awareness, riders can feel more balanced, comfortable, and effective in the saddle while reducing the risk of aches, pains, and injuries.

I absolutely love helping riders understand their bodies and seeing the difference it makes to both horse and rider.

I am available to attend camps and clinics offering
🐴 Equi-Pilates sessions
🐴 Franklin Ball sessions
🐴 Rider biomechanics assessments
🐴 Posture, alignment and balance workshops
🐴 Individual rider movement screenings and exercise programmes

If you're running a camp or clinic and would like something a little different for your riders, I'd love to hear from you.

Hayley Smith -The Rider Refiner

02/03/2026

Thanks to all them amazing people who have booked on bosu ball sessions..

I only have a few places left on selected sessions..

Bosu Ball Strength & Balance Session in birtle

We held my first BOSU ball session last week – what amazing fun we had!! 🙌

Strength & Balance Sessions – Max 4 People

If you’d like to feel stronger, more balanced and more secure in the saddle, these small group sessions focus on.

✔️ Core strength for better riding posture

✔️ Stability & balance for improved control

✔️ Functional movement to support riding

✔️ Injury prevention

✔️ Building overall strength & confidence

All sessions are 45 minutes and held in my studio at Robinsons Equestrian, Birtle

Current & Potential BOSU Times

• Saturday – 9:30am full

• Saturday – 8:30am 2 places available

10:30am x2 places

• Tuesday – 5:30pm 3 places available

£8.50 per session, per person



Small groups (max 4) mean more support, more guidance and more attention to your technique 💚

Dm me for more details or to book your place

Thanks Hayley ☺️

02/03/2026

Can anyone help please? 🙏

I’ve been booked to deliver an Equi Pilates session at a small camp (around 20 people) at Someford Park, but I can’t find the original message from the lady who booked me in.

It was scheduled for a Tuesday daytime, and I’d really love to get back in touch to confirm the details.

If any of my equestrian friends are connected to a camp at Someford Park, could you please share this post so I can hopefully find the organiser?

Thank you so much everyone 💛🐎

Core Strength for Equestrians 🐎Did you know that most of your strength and stability in the saddle comes from your core ...
16/02/2026

Core Strength for Equestrians 🐎

Did you know that most of your strength and stability in the saddle comes from your core and pelvic floor muscles?

A strong core isn’t just about abs - it’s about:
• Better balance
• Improved posture
• More controlled movement
• Clearer communication with your horse
• Reduced risk of back and hip injuries

When your core is engaged, you move with your horse instead of against them. It helps you stay centred, absorb movement smoothly and ride with confidence and ease.

That’s why I love incorporating Pilates and balance training into equestrian fitness - it builds deep strength from the inside out.

Want to improve your riding strength and stability?

• Pilates Class - Every Tuesday Evening at The Old Haybarn
• NEW BOSU Ball Strength & Balance Classes - Saturday Mornings
9:30am & 10:30am

Perfect for riders, beginners, and anyone wanting to feel stronger, more balanced and more connected to their body.

Your horse will thank you for it ✨
Dm me for more details

THE RIDER REFINER -TOP 5 TIPS 🐎Whether you ride for pleasure or performance, refining your body is just as important as ...
15/02/2026

THE RIDER REFINER -TOP 5 TIPS 🐎

Whether you ride for pleasure or performance, refining your body is just as important as refining your horse’s training. A balanced, strong and relaxed rider creates a better partnership in the saddle.

My Top 5 Rider Refiner Tips.

1. Core Strength
A strong core improves balance, posture and stability in the saddle. Think controlled.

2. Maintain Upper Body Strength
Strong shoulders, arms and back help with rein contact, posture and endurance during longer rides.

3. Improve Lower Body Strength
Leg strength supports position, aids control and reduces fatigue. Glutes, quads and hamstrings are key.

4. Mobility & Flexibility
Flexible hips, ankles and spine allow you to move with the horse rather than against them.

5. Functional Breathing & Relaxation
Calm breathing reduces tension, improves focus and helps both rider and horse stay relaxed and connected.

A refined rider isn’t just fitter - they’re more aware, more balanced and more in tune with their horse.

Did you know that imbalances in your feet can cause pain in other areas of the body plus can effect your riding position...
21/01/2026

Did you know that imbalances in your feet can cause pain in other areas of the body plus can effect your riding position.

As a Biomechanics Coach, assessing foot position is essential. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and when they’re misaligned, it can affect your ankles, knees, hips, and even your back. Correcting foot alignment helps improve overall posture, movement, and reduces the risk of pain and injury.

Ask me about a biomechanics screening to identify imbalances in your body and support better movement and alignment.”

Or check out my off horse clinic 15th of February Robinson’s Equestrian Centre

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Castle Hill Road
Bury
BL96UL

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