Applied Posture Riding

20/01/2026

Internal stress is hard to identify in a horse, especially if they have been holding onto it for a long time. We label their moods as "that is them".

My mare Norma is in no way a poker face. She expresses her moods extremely well.

It took me a lot of learning and watching to see what she was telling me.

I have done a lot of groundwork, medical and musculoskeletal assessment, and looked into her history.

I now treat and manage her internal stress every time I am with her.

A quick session with the Maxi Fascial gun or a deep scratch at her favourite points, and she loves me again.

This gun has been a significant turning point for the management of muscle stress, lactic acid and pain for both Norma and me.

This gun sold out last order; new stock arriving very soon, stay tuned.

16/01/2026

The Maxi Muscle Fascial Freedom gun is in transit. I should have stock in the shop within the next 2 weeks. This is my preferred massage tool for horses. I have tested 3 guns now, including a mini gun, this maxi gun and a super maxi theragun. It has been an interesting journey.

Each gun has different settings. The mini gun is great for older muscles; it is lightweight and low-noise. The maxi gun has a good stroke length and variable speeds, making it effective for most muscle problems. The super maxi Theragun has a long, deep stroke length with power and takes a bit of courage to tolerate. This gun is best suited to people with muscle bulk and horses with tone but not tension and tightness.

I have 2x Super Maxi Theraguns in stock, and I will be stocking the mini gun I have tested soon.

15/01/2026

Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is the separation of the "six-pack" abdominal muscles (re**us abdominis) along the midline, often due to pregnancy, but also affecting newborns, men, and athletes.

It can cause a bulge, core weakness, lower back pain, and even urinary incontinence. Not easy to "miss".

It is typically managed conservatively, with Physiotherapy focused on core-strengthening exercises.

I assessed a new mother yesterday. She has an 8-month-old baby.

She came with knee pain not resolving despite seeing 2 other Physios.

Both missed the poor activation of her stabilising knee muscle (VMO).
Both missed the 10cm gap in her Abs.

We dinosaur Physios draw on experience.

Not every input is supported by an evidence-based, double-blind research paper.

Clinical reasoning draws on research and experience to treat and manage every patient we see.

Activating muscles that have switched off is my starting point for all rehab. Treating overactivity is also a must in many cases.

Your riding skills will NOT improve if you are battling muscle imbalances.

Activating your Core on Demand is my primary starting point.

More information to come!

14/01/2026

Family have a huge influence on our participation in this sport.

Time, money, and emotions run on a roller coaster.

Add a severe injury, and family input can change from support to give up.

Our passion for what we love cannot be dimmed but the pleasure can be.

Returning to riding rehab MUST include rider-specific rehab.

Returning to riding MUST include your core being fully controlled on demand and on auto-activation.

Once your core is controlled, strong, and functioning ON DEMAND, it is possible to return to riding pain-free or with pain managed.

The riding posture can be trained. The end result will be your best outcome.

How to Activate the Core on Demand for Horse Riders short course is coming soon.

13/01/2026

Experiencing a reactive, involuntary bodily sensation may provide insight into how your horse is feeling if you and/or your horse are an internal stressor.

We can manage something we are aware of more so than something we are NOT aware of.

Your stiff, hard, inflexible horse may be stressed, not stubborn, or lazy or arrogant. Next time you are stressed, see how you respond to someone giving you commands. Now relate to training your horse.

We can all learn new methods to achieve better outcomes.

12/01/2026

Every horse teaches us something valuable.
I have learnt that very quiet horses can be internal stressors.

This manifests as muscle tension, stiffness, and a dull leg, with reactivity to "everything" and other factors we don't understand.

A medical and or musculoskeletal assessment may be required.

I do a lot of groundwork to teach my horse to move in patterns.
I have great success with my Deep Fascial Massage gun for fascial freedom and muscle release.

Unloading stresses and only training once I have relaxation and attention has been slow but valuable.

Barbie did her first solo trip to the dressage on Sunday,

It is time for her to step up to competing soon.

09/01/2026

2026 is the year of the horse. I am going to make it the "year of the rider". We all have problems, not all are fixable, but many can be "fixed" with the right knowledge and training. I will be producing short courses aimed at "fixing" rider problems.

My expertise is Rider Biomechanics. Physiotherapy is my education, and being old and having healed from numerous injuries is my experience. I treat NO PAIN.

Our Passion for riding does not waiver however, the pleasure for riding does.

Riding pain-free has brought back the pleasure of riding for me.
I aim to provide education to help you regain your pleasure.

Course 1 "How to Activate your Core Muscles on Demand"

PS Let me know what you would like me to address.

24/12/2025

And a happy new year.

21/12/2025

I have been riding with shorter stirrups for the past 4 years.

Since I ruptured my Hamstrings off the bone, I have been protecting them from spasming and or cramping by riding with shorter stirrups.

With shorter stirrups, my knee flexion is supported by weight bearing through my stirrups. This has allowed me to ride cramp-free (mostly). I also have a forward tilt of my pelvis due to the new hamstring insertion having no impact on my pelvis.

My hands have joined the new posture party and now bend inwards. ( No excuse).

After reviewing my latest dressage photos, I decided it was time to regain my upright posture and lower-leg function.

I rode without stirrups for the 1st time in 4 years. I forgot how many muscles I used to use. I had no cramping, so I started with 15 minutes of walking and 10 minutes of trotting.

My plan is to ride more balanced to improve my mare's self-carriage and paces.

Maybe it is me, not Norma, who's average.

19/12/2025

19/12/2025

Attention, riders, are you looking for a new high-powered, long-stroke massage therapy gun? Even more powerful than the Maxi Fascial gun. Only for deep tissue therapy.

This gun is one of the best on the market, with long stroke length, high-powered gears, 4 heads, and long battery life.

I have 2 of these available (ideal Christmas present).
I have only 1 Maxi Fascial Massage Gun left.
I have ordered mini massage guns, due in next year.

Left know asap.

17/12/2025

I have ordered more stock for 2026. I have one Maxi Fascial Muscle Massage Gun left in stock until 2026.

One of the best therapy tools I have used. I just added a short video to the website that shows how to identify areas of pain and align them with the problems that arise during training sessions.

Barbie canters like a bent pocket knife (sideways). Her longitudinal strength and flexibility are still developing. When she resists, I know it is muscle pain. She is trying so hard to do what I ask, but at times she just can't.

I manage this both unmounted and mounted. To date, she continues to enjoy her work.

Strength will not be built with pain blocking correct movement patterns. Pain can also create negative work-related memories.

Time is that four-letter word that is precisely the same for all of us.

This compact gun delivers all of the above as well as increasing blood flow, fluid movement, swelling and pain reduction.