Last month, I was honoured to have been asked to input into the extra-curricular offerings at a weekend camp for horse-owners, run by fabulous instructor Emma Drury (BHSAI, MRPCH). Emma has a very holistic approach to her instruction, focusing not just on riding skill, but on full management of the horse, including the importance of …
Continue reading Post-Exercise Stretch Routine – Educating Horse-Owners!
Equine massage can have a multitude of aims - simple relaxation massage for a tense or post-event horse; pre-competition stimulating massage to get those muscles ready for action and joints stretched and supple; remedial massage where some ailment, soreness or discomfort has been identified and may require a longer-term plan and investigation to find the …
What IS a knot? Knots, or myofascial trigger points, are bumps or bands of tense, tight muscle or fascial tissue. They may be active (sore and causing compensatory movement behaviours) or latent (tender if pressed). They can also cause 'referred pain' - resulting pain reactions as a result of the knot that appear in other …
An enforced break means a chance to re-energise, reflect and get setup for post-lockdown...
This is a great time of year for equestrians to enjoy getting out and about with their horses in the warmer weather, and it has been lovely hearing the success stories of various clients' challenges, whether that be venturing out for a longer hack, boxing off to a new venue or putting their training to …
Your horse feels 'off'. Horses are predominantly stoic creatures, preferring to hide their ailments from potential predators, but maybe you are tuned-in enough to your animal to have spotted a subtle change - sudden reluctance to pick up a certain canter lead, difficulty bending a particular way, fidgeting slightly when you mount, tripping, even just …
Continue reading Massage? Chiro? Physio? What does my horse need and when?!!
It is fair to say I am fairly obsessed with the fit of my horse's saddle. Jules is so brilliant at communicating when something is not quite right, but as a result I am constantly looking out for signals from her. Sometimes it's an ear flick, sometimes turning to look back at what I'm doing, …
I have attended 'Equilates' for a couple of years now, and can't recommend it enough - our small classes follow traditional Pilates principles, but with a helpful focus on the muscles and range of movement required for riding, as well as an emphasis on balance and symmetry. My Pilates instructor, Beth, is also an established …
I haven't blogged for quite some time, purely due to having needed to focus my full brain power on my studies, passing my exams and then getting started with my new business! With my brain full to bursting, I was keen to make sure I utilised my knowledge and enthusiasm by getting straight out to …
With our own horse to manage, we are now giving more thought to how to maintain healthy weight and muscle mass. When aiming to build muscle back up, it can be difficult at this time of year to balance with keeping spring grass fat at bay! We have resorted to strip grazing, just to be …
Hands on Horses 