Even if you are a beginner at horse riding, a few easy stretches can keep you comfortable in the saddle on your dude ranch vacation. See how increasing your flexibility can improve your horsemanship, and help you enjoy an unforgettable experience. Sitting on a horse is lot different from sitting on a couch. Your body gets a fun and effective workout that burns calories and tones up muscles. Improving your flexibility helps you to ride better and stay safe. You will come back from a long ride feeling limber and ready for an evening of outdoor grilling, story telling, and wood chopping In fact, our guests rave about our excellent and happy horses. We want you to have a great time with them too so here are a few tips on stretching. Start your flexibility program before you arrive at the ranch. While a few minutes of stretching before and after riding will help reduce soreness, a daily routine provides the best results. Then, you will be ready to ride with ease. Target the muscles you will be using for horse riding. Fortunately, that means doing many of the same stretches that are good for all your typical daily activities. You may hear riders talk about building a long leg. Since your heels point down when riding, work on your calves and thighs. Strengthening your core is also important to help your balance and take pressure off your lower back. Finally, you can improve your alignment by opening your hips and pelvis since riding stretches your inner thigh. Good moves include squats, lunges, calf raises, and side stretches. Contact us for an adventurous and safe western-style experience at one of the best dude ranches in Colorado. Come see why we have been named one of the top 20 ranches in the world!