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Stable Core Training: A New Approach to Rider Alignment, Centering, Grounding, and Positive Tension for Elite Performance in the Saddle
Creative concepts and exercises that fundamentally improve your riding foundation, enabling you to excel in any training system or discipline.When horsewoman and certified personal trainer Joyce Kramer discovered that the riders most committed to fitness were not reaping the benefits of their improved athleticism on horseback, she abandoned the standard protocol for developing strength, endurance, and stability. Her background in the study of movement and holding patterns enabled her to develop her own unique approach to physical training capable of improving riding function and performance in such dramatic ways, it can bring out what she calls the “inner elite rider” in everyone.Using phenomenal hand-drawn imagery and engaging photographs of her own students at work, Kramer begins her book by clarifying the four most important ingredients to riding in harmony with an equine partner, as well as the aspects that nurture a sense of “feel” in the TensionThe second part of the book focuses on rider position, deconstructing the body’s sections and again using imagery to enable readers to connect all their “parts” into one cohesive, breathing, supple “whole.” An optimal position allows the horse to carry the rider comfortably and efficiently, promoting performance to the very best of his ability.Finally, Kramer takes the reader on a journey to the “deep core,” which she has identified as key not only to limiting extraneous movement of the exterior body visible to others, but also to the energy exchange at the most exciting level of connection with a horse. Bones, internal organs, and spinal stabilizers are engaged on the ground and in the saddle, using sound cues, proprioceptive props, and imagery, with mind-blowing results.With hundreds of images, tips, and exercises that can be modified according to age and ability, and an excitingly fresh perspective, this book can be the key to any rider reaching the next level in the saddle—whether that means excelling in a whole new division of competition, or recovering or rebuilding after time away from the sport. Every page is full of fun, engaging answers to your riding questions, ideas for clearing your stumbling blocks, and the endless promise of pursuing an activity you love in the company of your horse.
264 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2025
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January 8, 2026
https://thegreenhorseman.com/2025/09/...
“It’s movement of the body that enables you to let go of stress and step out of your own way. The questions and conerns come from your mind. The answers come from your body.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Welcome to Book Club!
Today I’m bringing you an inspiring read that was released this past March, 2025. For those who want to be fitter to become a better rider, this one is for you. I present you with Stable Core Training: A New Approach to Rider Alignment, Centering, Grounding, and Positive Tensions for Elite Performance in the Saddle by Joyce Kramer.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
Joyce is a personal trainer and riding coach with experience spanning more than 50 years. Over the years she’s developed her own Stable Core Training program and her students include Grand Prix dressage riders and top level eventers. She often refers back to Sally Swift’s Centered Riding which, by the way, is seeing it’s 40th anniversary this year and was published by none other than Trafalgar Square Books! Joyce manages to refer to Sally’s work but then expend it into something all of her own.
“I have discovered that the human body adapts its best and most permanent postures through embodied imagery, and not through the study on anatomy and biomechanics.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Within the first quarter of the book I was moved to reach out to Joyce and ask about clinics. I want to work with this woman! Alas she doesn’t travel as far as we are located but I may someday take a trip to her (Less than 3 hours away). I was so excited and I wanted not only the instruction from the book but in person instruction. Her knowledge and approach to fitness are not quite like what I’ve seen before…and I want more!
After I reached out I realized I do still need to calm down and keep reading.
The book is fascinating. As a previous gym rat I felt seen when she said the gym rats weren’t her strongest riders. It’s not that I am happy to be stiff but I’m happy that it’s not unusual. I felt defeated when I would work out rigorously to find my riding got WORSE.
“And as I began integrating this knowledge in my riding instruction, it struck me that the ‘gym rats’ were not my strongest riders.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
The next thing I did was try to change WHAT types of workouts I did. But I loved the practice less and less. Lately I am doing my best to keep my head above water but if and when I work out I typically take it easy. Joyce’s book might be able to help me develop a routine that actually motivates me and helps me in the saddle.
THAT is the key that I’ve been missing.
“I find that often, trying to adhere to an anatomical or biomechanical ideal negatively affects the rider’s suppleness, timing, and coordination. Of course, that weakens the horse’s ability to understand the rider’s intent as well as her aids.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Stable Core Training is broken down into easy-to-understand sections based of the goal of each exercise. We begin with Part 1…The foundation of riding well. The eight chapters within this first section larger and important concepts; alignment, being grounded, positive tension, breathing, proprioception, vision, movement, and posture. All of these are the basis of what we all NEED in order to ride well. In Part 2 we explore our rider position and how to strengthen key areas. The section is broken down into 12 easy to follow chapters that explore the parts of the body. We explore fluidity, fascial connections, muscle activation, tension, pelvis, ribs, head/neck, shoulders/arms/hands, feet/ankles/legs, fluid hips, inner and outer fitness, and working with humans and horses. Part 3 focuses on the deep core and the final chapters begin to wrap the book up while giving us options for our next steps.
“There are times when your horse is more aware of your internal status than you are. Horses are creatures of energy and they are particularly skilled at reading the energy of people, even subtle energy such as the energy of intent. “
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I love about this book is the openness and freedom of the exercises. Nowhere does Joyce design a workout program. How could she? We are all different individuals and have different and unique abilities. My strengths are not your strengths. Your weaknesses are not my weaknesses.
In order to make the best possible use of this book I recommend that you read it front to back, then truly analyze yourself and your riding. Feel free to bring someone in like your trainer who really knows you and can be honest with you. What areas do you feel weak on? Design your program with more focus on developing your weaker areas. Return back every couple of months and find out what has changed. Don’t keep your routine static.
“Your outer fitness will only come into order when your inner fitness has done so as well. Accept yourself, including your past failures. Choose to nourish and embrace the true self you are becoming.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I find most difficult is my own self efficacy. I become immensely inspired by these types of books but once I put it down I get swept away in a new project instead of sitting down and settling in with what I have learned. In essence I still need someone to get after me and kick my butt because I always create new excuses!
Final Word:
I really enjoyed Stable Core Training by Joyce Kramer. It is educational, fun, and inspiring. I found myself performing each exercise AS I READ. As someone who is always on the pursuit of self-improvement, I like having a very specific thing to do that I know will help me in the saddle. I have done martial arts, HIIT training, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, and more. At one point I had even created an equestrian fitness program of my own but failed to actually launch it (It amounted to 1 trial class with a couple of my friends).
Joyce’s approach is unique, creative, and effective. It is anything but boring and it is neither canned nor generic. I love that she ties each exercise to a benefit directly tied to riding. Not many people or exercises out there truly do this.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who knows that they could ride better if they improved certain aspects of their fitness. People who are self-aware and self-motivated to do the work. The book is a guide, but you need to use the content to develop the right program for your individual needs. Maybe your trainer can help you point out your trouble areas. Legs? Hips?
I know I can be pulled in a million directions, but this book has remained in my eyeline for months. I am planning to finally find some time over the winter to truly design a plan that works with my routine and helps me become a better rider for Stanley.
“The sport of riding is a thrilling dance between knowing and feeling. You know riding theory from the outside in, and ideally, you feel your riding practice from the inside out.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
“It’s movement of the body that enables you to let go of stress and step out of your own way. The questions and conerns come from your mind. The answers come from your body.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Welcome to Book Club!
Today I’m bringing you an inspiring read that was released this past March, 2025. For those who want to be fitter to become a better rider, this one is for you. I present you with Stable Core Training: A New Approach to Rider Alignment, Centering, Grounding, and Positive Tensions for Elite Performance in the Saddle by Joyce Kramer.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
Joyce is a personal trainer and riding coach with experience spanning more than 50 years. Over the years she’s developed her own Stable Core Training program and her students include Grand Prix dressage riders and top level eventers. She often refers back to Sally Swift’s Centered Riding which, by the way, is seeing it’s 40th anniversary this year and was published by none other than Trafalgar Square Books! Joyce manages to refer to Sally’s work but then expend it into something all of her own.
“I have discovered that the human body adapts its best and most permanent postures through embodied imagery, and not through the study on anatomy and biomechanics.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Within the first quarter of the book I was moved to reach out to Joyce and ask about clinics. I want to work with this woman! Alas she doesn’t travel as far as we are located but I may someday take a trip to her (Less than 3 hours away). I was so excited and I wanted not only the instruction from the book but in person instruction. Her knowledge and approach to fitness are not quite like what I’ve seen before…and I want more!
After I reached out I realized I do still need to calm down and keep reading.
The book is fascinating. As a previous gym rat I felt seen when she said the gym rats weren’t her strongest riders. It’s not that I am happy to be stiff but I’m happy that it’s not unusual. I felt defeated when I would work out rigorously to find my riding got WORSE.
“And as I began integrating this knowledge in my riding instruction, it struck me that the ‘gym rats’ were not my strongest riders.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
The next thing I did was try to change WHAT types of workouts I did. But I loved the practice less and less. Lately I am doing my best to keep my head above water but if and when I work out I typically take it easy. Joyce’s book might be able to help me develop a routine that actually motivates me and helps me in the saddle.
THAT is the key that I’ve been missing.
“I find that often, trying to adhere to an anatomical or biomechanical ideal negatively affects the rider’s suppleness, timing, and coordination. Of course, that weakens the horse’s ability to understand the rider’s intent as well as her aids.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
Stable Core Training is broken down into easy-to-understand sections based of the goal of each exercise. We begin with Part 1…The foundation of riding well. The eight chapters within this first section larger and important concepts; alignment, being grounded, positive tension, breathing, proprioception, vision, movement, and posture. All of these are the basis of what we all NEED in order to ride well. In Part 2 we explore our rider position and how to strengthen key areas. The section is broken down into 12 easy to follow chapters that explore the parts of the body. We explore fluidity, fascial connections, muscle activation, tension, pelvis, ribs, head/neck, shoulders/arms/hands, feet/ankles/legs, fluid hips, inner and outer fitness, and working with humans and horses. Part 3 focuses on the deep core and the final chapters begin to wrap the book up while giving us options for our next steps.
“There are times when your horse is more aware of your internal status than you are. Horses are creatures of energy and they are particularly skilled at reading the energy of people, even subtle energy such as the energy of intent. “
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I love about this book is the openness and freedom of the exercises. Nowhere does Joyce design a workout program. How could she? We are all different individuals and have different and unique abilities. My strengths are not your strengths. Your weaknesses are not my weaknesses.
In order to make the best possible use of this book I recommend that you read it front to back, then truly analyze yourself and your riding. Feel free to bring someone in like your trainer who really knows you and can be honest with you. What areas do you feel weak on? Design your program with more focus on developing your weaker areas. Return back every couple of months and find out what has changed. Don’t keep your routine static.
“Your outer fitness will only come into order when your inner fitness has done so as well. Accept yourself, including your past failures. Choose to nourish and embrace the true self you are becoming.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
What I find most difficult is my own self efficacy. I become immensely inspired by these types of books but once I put it down I get swept away in a new project instead of sitting down and settling in with what I have learned. In essence I still need someone to get after me and kick my butt because I always create new excuses!
Final Word:
I really enjoyed Stable Core Training by Joyce Kramer. It is educational, fun, and inspiring. I found myself performing each exercise AS I READ. As someone who is always on the pursuit of self-improvement, I like having a very specific thing to do that I know will help me in the saddle. I have done martial arts, HIIT training, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, and more. At one point I had even created an equestrian fitness program of my own but failed to actually launch it (It amounted to 1 trial class with a couple of my friends).
Joyce’s approach is unique, creative, and effective. It is anything but boring and it is neither canned nor generic. I love that she ties each exercise to a benefit directly tied to riding. Not many people or exercises out there truly do this.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who knows that they could ride better if they improved certain aspects of their fitness. People who are self-aware and self-motivated to do the work. The book is a guide, but you need to use the content to develop the right program for your individual needs. Maybe your trainer can help you point out your trouble areas. Legs? Hips?
I know I can be pulled in a million directions, but this book has remained in my eyeline for months. I am planning to finally find some time over the winter to truly design a plan that works with my routine and helps me become a better rider for Stanley.
“The sport of riding is a thrilling dance between knowing and feeling. You know riding theory from the outside in, and ideally, you feel your riding practice from the inside out.”
― Joyce Kramer: Stable Core Training
April 21, 2025
This is an amazing book filled with creative ways to get in touch with your core and help your body to be it's most correct for riding. We know that we as humans and riders are not symmetrical, but we all want to be as in sync with the motion of the horse as possible so our equine partner can move at their most fluid and we can travel in the most harmonious way.
Joyce's creativity and knowledge are evident in these simple and well thought out exercises to help get in touch with rider positions that remain stable and correct. Joyce's out of the box thinking makes getting in touch with our human flaws fun and incredibly helpful. The exercises along with the visuals and internal imagery are so helpful. You WILL find improvements through her techniques. I highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys horseback riding that wants to do it even better.
Joyce's creativity and knowledge are evident in these simple and well thought out exercises to help get in touch with rider positions that remain stable and correct. Joyce's out of the box thinking makes getting in touch with our human flaws fun and incredibly helpful. The exercises along with the visuals and internal imagery are so helpful. You WILL find improvements through her techniques. I highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys horseback riding that wants to do it even better.
February 25, 2026
I'm an experienced older rider who discovered 60 isn't the same as 25 in the saddle. I realized to continue to ride safely and well, I needed to up my fitness game--work on balance, core strength, and improve my overall position. Following Joyce Kramer's detailed program for building a stable core has me feeling better on the ground and in the saddle. Kramer's writing, photos and illustrations make the exercises fun. Practicing the exercises feels good rather than like an obligation. I think many riders young, older, beginner or advanced will find improvement from regularly using this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews