Thrive Equine Physio

27/03/2026

Sitting trot is not just something you improve by doing more of it.

If it feels hard, inconsistent or uncomfortable, there is usually a physical reason behind it.

Many riders try to stay in the saddle by bracing, holding their breath or leaning back. It might feel more stable in the moment, but it limits how well you can move with the horse.

Over time, this can make the horse feel tighter through the back, affect rhythm and make transitions less smooth.

Sitting trot relies on being able to absorb movement, not resist it.

That comes from deep core control, lumbopelvic mobility and the ability to stay connected without tension.

If something feels off in your riding, it is worth looking at how your body is contributing to it.

Rider physiotherapy assessments look at how you move both on and off the horse and give you a clear plan to improve it.

More information is available via the website, or you can submit an enquiry to book an appointment.

Learn the fundamentals of sitting trot, including deep core control, lumbopelvic mobility and how rider movement influences horse performance. Discover why bracing, breath holding and poor mobility can affect your horse’s way of going and how physiotherapy can help improve rider function.

27/03/2026

A few small tweaks to Naomi Zirnsak Para Equestrian rider position made some big differences to both her and Kai! 😍

Thank you Genna Harkness from Thrive Equine Physio for coming out today to do my rider assessment. I highly recommend this to anyone, not just para riders. So many lightbulb moments and little changes that made a lot of difference. I will be doing this on a regular basis now to try and get my body straighter and more effective.

20/03/2026

Hands on assessment and treatment are part of understanding how a horse is moving.

Different areas are checked to identify muscle tension, pain and joint mobility that may be affecting performance.

From there, treatment is tailored to improve comfort and allow the horse to move more freely.

Rehabilitation then builds on those changes and supports long term results.

If your horse isn’t moving the way it should, there is usually a reason 🤔

Equine physiotherapy helps identify it and put a plan in place to address it.

Appointments are available across South Australia.

Visit the website to book or submit an enquiry ✨

17/03/2026

Riders spend a lot of time trying to improve their horse’s way of going.

But if the rider lacks the mobility, strength or control required in the saddle, it can directly influence how the horse moves.

Rider physiotherapy assessments look at how the rider moves on the horse, then off the horse, to identify limitations in mobility, strength, coordination and motor control that may be affecting riding performance.

From there, a targeted plan can be developed to improve symmetry, control and efficiency in the saddle.

Learn more about what happens during a rider physiotherapy session and what riders can expect 👇

Learn what happens during a rider physiotherapy assessment, including on-horse evaluation, off-horse testing and targeted exercises to improve symmetry, control and performance under saddle.

13/03/2026

Behind the scenes at Thrive Equine Physio.

Helping horses move better is not just about treating soreness. It is about understanding movement, building strength and supporting the physical capacity required for performance.

Whether it is injury rehabilitation, improving movement quality or supporting performance under saddle, the goal is always the same.

Treat your horse like an athlete.

06/03/2026

Something I frequently see in rider assessments.

Riders bracing to feel stable.

From the rider’s perspective, this often feels like sitting tall and holding firm. But when stability comes from bracing rather than control, the lower back and trunk become rigid. The rider stops moving with the horse.

When the rider becomes rigid, the horse loses freedom through the back.

Another common pattern is reduced movement through the lower back and pelvis.

For the rider, this can feel like difficulty staying centred, feeling heavier on one side, or struggling on one rein.

For the horse, it often presents as uneven contact, reduced straightness or difficulty maintaining engagement.

Over time, these patterns influence performance.

If a coach has been cueing the same correction for months, or the horse consistently struggles with the same issue on one rein, it is worth considering whether the limitation may be coming from the rider rather than the horse.

Often the issue is not effort.

It is capacity.

If core control cannot be achieved off the horse, it will not suddenly appear under movement in the saddle.

Rider physiotherapy assessments begin in the saddle to identify what is happening in real time. The rider then steps off the horse for assessment of mobility and strength before a structured plan is developed to address the underlying cause.

Further information is available on the website.

05/03/2026

Improving your horse’s movement often starts with improving your own.

Repeated asymmetry from the rider can change how a horse loads, pushes and carries themselves, influencing straightness and performance.

I’ve written a short piece explaining how rider biomechanics impact horse movement and why assessing the rider matters.

You can read it below.

A rider physiotherapy assessment assesses how you sit and apply your aids, identifies what may be affecting straightness or performance and provides a structured plan to address it. More information and appointment enquiries are available via the website.

Rider asymmetry can directly affect your horse’s movement, straightness and performance. Learn how a rider physiotherapy assessment can improve load transfer, movement quality and long term soundness.

04/03/2026

Most riders invest heavily in their horse’s training.

Very few assess their own biomechanics.

This video explains what a rider physiotherapy assessment involves and why it can influence straightness and performance under saddle.

If you have been working on improving consistency between reins or overall performance, it may be worth assessing the rider as well.

A rider physiotherapy assessment evaluates how you sit and apply your aids, identifies what may be affecting straightness or performance and provides a structured plan to address it.

More information and appointment enquiries are available via the website.

03/03/2026

If we expect our horses to train like athletes, we need to treat them like athletes.

I’m Genna, physiotherapist and founder of Thrive Equine Physio.

Thrive provides mobile equine physiotherapy services across South Australia, in-house rehabilitation for injury and post-surgical management, and rider physiotherapy assessments to support performance under saddle.

My work focuses on movement quality, progressive loading and building the physical capacity that supports long-term soundness.

Whether your goal is improved performance, managing an injury or addressing something that just does not feel quite right, structured physiotherapy plays a key role.

If you would like to learn more about the services available, you can find further information on the website.

25/02/2026

Beautiful Kai enjoying his physio session ✨

When you can’t stop yawning because the Physio is so relaxing 😂

Thanks again Genna 😊

Thrive Equine Physio

22/02/2026

Rehabilitation is not meant to be exciting. It is meant to be effective.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in rehab programs is constant change. New exercises every week. New ideas pulled from social media. New “advanced” movements introduced before the basics are mastered.

Strength, mobility and load tolerance are built through repetition. Tissues adapt gradually. Motor control improves with consistency. When exercises are changed too frequently, the horse never gets the opportunity to properly adapt.

The most effective rehab programs are often simple. They focus on:

• Mastering motor control
• Correcting compensation patterns
• Progressive loading over time
• Consistency rather than novelty

From the outside, this can look boring. From a physiological perspective, it is exactly what works.

If you are currently rehabbing a horse, are you sticking to a structured plan or constantly tweaking things?

12/02/2026

An equine physiotherapy assessment is more than just treating sore muscles.

A proper assessment looks at how a horse is moving as a whole and helps identify the factors that may be limiting movement quality or performance. This includes posture, movement patterns, joint range of motion and muscle function.

Without a thorough assessment, treatment and rehab can become trial and error. With assessment, physiotherapy can be targeted and progressive, with clear direction on what needs to change and how to move forward safely.

If you are looking for clarity around your horse’s movement or performance and want a structured plan rather than guessing, a physio assessment is the starting point.

You can find more information or book an appointment via the Thrive Equine Physio website.