Qualified physio for horses and people (ACC registered for people) and advanced Equipilates and biom
Sophie completed her physiotherapy in Otago in 1990 and trained for horse physiotheray in UK in 1991 with multiple continuing education courses since then. Sophie has a background in horses both competitive and racing
Most people recognise when their horses are sore. The following need to be considered
feet/shoeing
teeth
saddle fit
nutrition
musculoskeletal
rider symmetry and balance
Often your vet needs to assess your horse musculoskeletaly especially for lameness. Sophie is available to treat your horse with soft tissue/bodywork and assess rider posture, mobility and stability in relation to riding
Both you and your horse can be assessed and treated at your place or for rider assessment you can be seen in Avonhead, Christchurch or at other clinics happening around canterbury. Rider treatment includes a combination of soft tissue release and a home programme of pilates type exercise (including breathing awareness), swiss ball and stretches as well as assessment on a saddle stand with your own saddle
(ACC registered if you have or need an ACC claim)
Also available to treat any soft tissue injuries. Be treated by a physiotherapist who understands the demands of riding to rehabilitate you back to your sport quickly with rider specific exercises
03/12/2025
BUMP CAP
A cap with a protective shell
Great for ground work (they do not replace your helmet)
Use for mowing under low branches or stacking hay in the shed.
A good present for non horse people as well as horse
Esko caps $35. A cheap possible prevention of a concussion.
Long or short peak. Navy or black
02/12/2025
HUMAN TOOL SADDLE SEAT
A new shipment has arrived
A portable seat that you use on your office or dining chair ( or on the ground)
It helps with dynamic posture and stability
Good for riders and non riders
A great Christmas present
30/11/2025
VOUCHERS
Christmas is nearly here! I have vouchers available for presents. They can be used for on horse, off horse or towards ACC surcharge for treatment
If you want to fit in any sessions with me before Christmas I have a few gaps at home for off horse.
On or off horse I will be Poyntz rd this Friday 5 December and Mcleans Island Saturday 20th December ( in conjunction with VDS pole social club)
What happens for an on horse session?
60 min session. I watch you ride for 5 mins, you then tie your horse up (or have a horse holder with you), I then assess and treat you on the
table and prescribe exercises. The last part is looking at your position on the horse and using cues and sometime feedback aids eg bands
If you want a 'taster' shorter session it is all mainly on your horse and occasionally I can see 2 or 3 of you together ( to make it cheaper for you. BUT your horse has to be excellent in group situations to keep everyone else safe)
EQUIFEST Equifest
Come and have a massage on the Mobiliser, try the TeleRein , Equicube, Alignmed posture bra, Bump Cap, Long Bands, Visualise, Equicore jackets plus more
13/10/2025
I will have these bands plus the gloves and jackets at Equifest. Plus lots of other goodies. Come and try them on the saddle stand with sensors with the Telerein and see if you notice an improvement https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FgUJnP76r/
Imaging (such as scans and X-rays) shows your current anatomy, not your pain.
A lot of people with back pain are keen to get an x-ray or MRI scan as they feel this will show them what the problem is.
But there is a large and growing body of research which shows that not only do the results of scans correlate poorly with symptoms in people with back pain, but also that people without any back pain have changes on scans and x-rays. It has been shown that using scans can cause false alarms, and make people fearful of moving. This fear of movement can actually make the symptoms worse.
A large scale study in 2015 looked at the results of scans in over 3000 asymptomatic people (people with no back pain). They showed that the prevalence of disc degeneration increased from 37% of 20 year olds up to 96% of 80 year olds. The prevalence of disc bulges increased from 30% of 20 year olds up to 84% of 80 year olds. And the prevalence of disc protrusions increased from 29% of 20 year olds up to 43% of 80 year olds.
Their conclusions were that many imaging findings are likely to be a normal part of the aging process. Think of it like wrinkles on the inside.
➡️ This is not to say that MRI scans or x-rays should not be used for back pain. In the presence of serious or sinister signs and symptoms, MRI and other investigative radiology are essential to make a quick and accurate diagnosis and fast intervention.
➡️ Scans are there to exclude the worst of the worst pathologies, but when it comes to everything else they cannot, and do not, tell us where the pain is coming from.
➡️ If you have severe, unremitting back pain with referred symptoms then it is definitely good to see your GP or a Chartered Physiotherapist for an assessment.
➡️ If you have had a scan and are worried about the findings, remember that people with no pain also have disc bulges, wear and tear, disc degeneration, etc on scans and that these findings might not necessarily correlate with your pain.
Don’t fear the language and don’t fear movement - movement is your friend 🤸♀️
💙 Breathe better, move better, ride better
Maeve
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Horse And Rider Physio-Sophie Hargreaves:
Sophie completed her physiotherapy in Otago in 1990 and trained for horse physiotherapy in UK in 1991 with multiple continuing education courses since then. She is also an Advanced Equipilates biomechanics trainer
Sophie has a background in horses both competitive and racing
Most people recognise when their horses are sore.
The following need to be considered
feet/shoeing
teeth
saddle fit
nutrition
musculoskeletal
rider symmetry and balance
Often your vet needs to assess your horse musculoskeletaly especially for lameness.
Sophie is available to treat your horse with soft tissue/bodywork and assess rider posture, mobility and stability in relation to riding
Both you and your horse can be assessed and treated at your place or for rider assessment you can be seen in Avonhead, Christchurch or at other clinics happening around canterbury.
Rider treatment includes a combination of soft tissue release and a home programme of pilates type exercise (including breathing awareness), swiss ball and stretches as well as assessment on a saddle stand with your own saddle
On horse rider physio is also available. This looks at your straightness and symmetry on the the horse and assesses your biomechanics. Aids such as the visualise jackets, Franklin Balls and the Equicube may be used
(ACC registered if you have or need an ACC claim)
Also available to treat any soft tissue injuries. Be treated by a physiotherapist who understands the demands of riding to rehabilitate you back to your sport quickly with rider specific exercises
Products available for sale include
Equicube- encourages the rider to engage their core and riding muscles as well as awareness of good technique especially of hand positioning
Visualise Jackets - a simple but effective design for riders and coaches to see at a glance any positional weaknesses and as a result make corrections and improve the riders position
Human Tool saddle chair - transforms a traditional chair into a saddle chair improving ergonomics of people sitting to give a dynamic sitting posture. Good for riders and non riders