Equestrian

If you are not straight I ask two questions:

  • Are you giving the same signal on each reign to your horse?
  • Are you causing him to be sore?

Is it surprising that this horse falls out on the left reign and struggles with bending evenly?

Assessments on the horse are critical to see what is going on with movement, transitions, changes of direction. However, the reality is that problems are often deeper-seated than horse issues (such as saddle/ teeth/ shoeing/ horses preferred leg/ horse injury).  More often there are issues with the rider’s posture and mechanics.   Detailed specific riding instruction will definitely help improve skill and riding technique, BUT, a totally unrelated off the horse assessment looking at your areas of tension, stiffness, lack of range of motion will really help to work out what is going on with your body and so what is going on with your horse.

  • Biomechanics Coaching and Assessing external rotation of the thigh in hip joint
  • Biomechanics Coaching and Looking at the ability of the rider to support themselves on each leg symmetrically
  • Biomechanics Coaching and looking at straightness
  • Biomechanics assessing stability of right leg
  • Biomechanics assessing stability of left leg

Passive Biomechanics Assessments followed by

Mobilising exercises and corrective stretching.

Potential referral to Physiotherapy after an assessment

Stabilising exercises

Strengthening work

Screen Shot 2016-07-28 at 22.48.18 (2)

Follow the journey of one of our clients Hannah Bown.

Plus there is a dedicated equestrian posture Facebook page: “Biospheric Performance Equestrian Posture“, sign up and like this to keep abreast of info that is posted.

Latest from my blog in the Equestrian category:

  • Straightness training for dressage, eventing and jumping in equestrian sports by Katherine Bateson Chandler
    Straightness in the horse and the role of the rider
    Sometimes I look around at people riding these amazing animals and I wonder if these riders are aware of their responsibility to control straightness. Obviously, there needs to be forward motion in order to get straightness but there also needs to be a responsibility taken by the rider to be in balance and self-carriage themselves. …
  • Hannah and Sandro Storm Advanced 102 2020
    Amazing Achievement by Hannah Bown
    I wanted to share the wonderful achievement of Hannah. She and her amazing horse Stanley (Sandros Strom) have just won their first advance 102 at Pachesham Equestrian Centre. They are currently aiming for the British Dressage level “PRIX ST GEORGES” (and I am sure they secretly are not planning on stopping there!!) and they are …
  • Top conditioning tips from an equine biomechanics expert
    This is a great post and shows how similar athlete training is for both humans and animals. After big competitions or in periods of downtime one has to let the fitness down gently but keep the muscles ticking over. Many horses around the world have had a layoff during the covid-19 lockdown. Equine biomechanics researcher …
  • Looking at the biomechanics of the rider and how this effects the way of going of the horse
    Biomechanics for RIDERS Workshop
    How exciting to run a workshop specifically for riders by riders. Using the latest “Gravity ” machines to illustrate how the body compromises when under the pressure of being on an unstable platform. This is open to all riders of all age and ability. The outcome will be to give you an understanding of where …
  • The Shoulder Joint
    This joint is very mobile with almost 3D movement, having 3 bones offered up to each other, no direct secure bone fixing in a ball and socket type fixing – they are held in place by muscles, rather than a solid joint of bone fitting into bone like the hip joint. Aside from an impact …