Spilling the “Pilateas” All about the Teaser for Riders.
Hi there,
Welcome to the very first edition of my Pilates newsletter, Spilling the Pilateas! I’m excited to share a little about my first month here in Florida—working with riders and helping them integrate Pilates into their routines in a meaningful, supportive way.
In this issue, we’ll dive into how the Teaser exercise can be a game-changer for riders’ balance and core strength, and I’ll answer some of the most common questions I hear about why Pilates is such a powerful complement to riding.
After nearly a month of getting myself, my daughter, dogs, and horse moved in and settled, I was finally able to hit the ground running—working with riders I’ve partnered with in the past, as well as many new faces. For me, it’s always essential to establish a routine that creates both structure and space: space to feel grounded and in control, and space for what I love most—horses and Pilates.
If you know me, you know I’m very intentional in both my riding and Pilates practice. Being in Wellington, surrounded by a community of like-minded riders, has been incredibly inspiring. It’s pushed me to continue refining my own skills while helping as many riders as possible through the Pilates method. Wellington allows me to fully commit to this work—and I am beyond ready for it.
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Let’s Talk About the Teaser
In this edition, I want to focus on one of the Pilates method’s most iconic exercises: the Teaser.
Loved (and sometimes feared!) by many, the Teaser is a beautiful expression of power, stability, and grace—all qualities equestrians strive for in their riding and in their partnership with their horses.
So how does it help you in the saddle?
When done correctly—on the mat, Reformer, Tower, Chair, or Spine Corrector—the Teaser helps develop the lifted, balanced connection we need when riding. It teaches us how to avoid being left behind or leaning back, and instead organize our connection from our core, through our back, and into our hands.
This improves rein connection and reduces unnecessary pulling, overly long reins, or uneven contact in the horse’s mouth. Above all, the Teaser reinforces the idea of riding from the hind end to the bit—a fundamental principle of correct riding.
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Why should I do Pilates instead of a regular gym workout?
Because riding is a workout—but it’s highly asymmetrical and deeply neurological.
With Pilates, you develop:
1. Deep postural strength (not just surface muscles)
2. Control through length, range, and stability within that length
3. Coordination between strength and balance
Riders don’t need to be stronger everywhere—we need to be better organized in out connection, with stability that supports mobility.
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How does Pilates actually improve my seat?
Pilates improves the seat by creating:
1. Pelvic stability without stiffness
2. Independent leg movement
3. Trunk control over a moving base
This mirrors exactly what happens in the saddle: the horse moves, and the rider must absorb that motion, stabilize it, and redirect it—without gripping.
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Why does Pilates feel so hard if it looks so small?
Pilates works closely with the nervous system, which means even small movements demand:
1. Precision
2. Timing
3. Deep muscular control
That’s the same reason high-level riding looks effortless—but feels anything but.
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Can Pilates help fix my crookedness in the saddle?
Yes—and this is one of the biggest reasons Pilates works so well for riders. I see it every day.
Pilates:
1. Reveals side-to-side differences
2. Trains symmetry without forcing it
3. Improves proprioception (body awareness)
Most riders struggle to “sit straight” because they don’t truly know what straight feels like—or how to create it when their horse knows exactly how to exploit asymmetries.
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Why does my horse go better when I do Pilates? (I love this one.)
Horses respond instantly to body language—and Pilates is the language of the body.
Pilates:
1. Improves balance
2. Enhances proprioception, timing, and feel
3. Creates a softer, more correct connection
As riders integrate Pilates into their system, horses lose the ability to exploit asymmetries, and riders gain the ability to influence and support their horses more effectively.
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Is Pilates better than yoga or strength training for riders?
Not better—just more specific.
Pilates:
1. Mimics riding mechanics
2. Trains dynamic stability
3. Emphasizes control over flexibility
Many riders combine Pilates with other forms of training, but Pilates is often the missing link.
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How is Pilates different for equestrians?
For riders, Pilates specifically addresses:
1. Prolonged hip flexion
2. Foot supination and pronation
3. One-sided dominance
4. Absorbing and directing energy rather than producing it
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Thank you for being here, and I hope you enjoy this Pilates journey with me. There’s so much more to come.
Cheers,
Brooke