Equisio - Equine and Human Physiotherapy

01/04/2025

Reminder to our lovely clients,

Please remember our Facebook messenger for this page is unmanned.

Should you require an appointment or have questions please divert to the Instagram or give me a text/call!

Thanks

Elycia

24/03/2025

Motivating Monday

Equestrian sports are unique in the mental toughness required of the human athletes (not to mention the horses) for many reasons. 

Hill & Davies explain that "emotions are physical events in the body and have an immediate biochemical and neurological impact,". "In the midst of a top performance the rider is typically so focused on the moment that there is not time to process any emotions. This is called Flow State, and is a state of complete concentration on the task at hand.  Any awareness of emotions can of course lead to distraction, and effect the horses ability to perform."

While positive emotions such as happiness, confidence, and security all help prepare a rider for achieving this laser beam focused, negative emotions limit one's ability to work as one with their partner.

This affects all equestrian sports with superstars riders such as Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour in the Dressage world, Craig Williams and Blake Shinn within the racing scene all continuing to discuss mental preparation and mental health within their own sports.  

Racing Mates a NSW initiative is encouraging peer support within the racing industry and, is empowering mates to look out for mates. Keeping the discussion of mental health very much alive.

It is as important to train as riders as it is to train our horses. A combined approach, while ensuring both mental and physical fitness, is imperative to achieve our goals.

Broms, L., Hedenborg, S., & Radmann, A. (2020). Super equestrians – the construction of identity/ies and impression management among young equestrians in upper secondary school settings on social media. Sport, Education and Society, 27(4), 462–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1859472

Hill, L., & Davies, E. (2024). The Impact of Mental Toughness on Riders’ Psychological Responses to Injury. Poster session presented at 13th Alltech-Hartpury Student Conference, Gloucester, United Kingdom.

11/03/2025

“Concussion is something we just don’t take seriously enough in equine sport. We wouldn’t think twice if it was a welfare issue with our horses, so why should we risk our own health and wellbeing?"
- Laura Collett

Do you know enough?

04/02/2025

🏡It takes a village…. 🏡

To be successful in any sport, it takes a village.

😇Coach: They stand out in all weathers politely shouting at us when we should know better and shouldn’t need reminding 50 million times to keep our leg on, engage our core and sit up straight. 😇

👨‍⚕️Vet: They are at the end of the phone, night or day. They administer medications, apply bandages more often than not provide moral support throughout, illnesses, injuries, rehabilitation and in the most awful of circumstances euthanasia. 👨‍⚕️

🐎Farrier: Farriers maintain healthy feet, checking angles, checking inflammation. Ensuring the perfect balanceto turn on a dime or passage throughout a sandpit. 🐎

🦷Dentist: They keep them carrot chompers working, but more importantly ensure that our 4 legged friends are happy in their mouths. 🦷

😈 Physiotherapist: A drop in performance? An altered gait pattern? Musculoskeletal pain in either horse or rider? Their analytical eye is constantly watching and critiquing your body position, your horses movement and posture. To help you perform to the best of your ability.😈

🤩 Groom: They get up at stupid o’clock to feed the horses, change rugs, check bandages, plait and turn out horses. Their abilities are limitless and they go to infinity and beyond to ensure the smooth running of a team.🤩

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Parents: No matter how old you are your parents are your number one supporters. They still turn up even when you’re and adult running round after you. They pick you up when you fall and remind you not to give up 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

❤️Long suffering supportive partners: That person who puts up with you trampling hay through the house, leaving dirty tack around, putting your filthy rugs through the washing machine. Who stands out in all weathers to support you even if they don’t know the poll from the rump. ❤️

👶 And for those parents out there...our kids! For making us want to always work hard and show them it's ok to fail and try again, because dreams are worth working for! ❤️

It takes a village to succeed, whether that’s in life or in your chosen discipline! Tag who you are grateful for in YOUR village to show how much you appreciate them!

18/01/2025

...When it all goes to 💩, you just grip with your legs and hold your reins tighter right?

🚨WRONG🚨

💡A strong core is important and invaluable to horse riders of all disciplines. The bodies natural shock absorption mechanism, allows you to maintain your riding position, symmetry and balance, whilst providing better control during more difficult movements at all levels (oh yeh and spooks at the scary leaf on the floor that you rode past 2 mins earlier!).

‼️A lack of core stability (which let's be honest we could all do with more off) results in excessive movement in the saddle and more 🤦‍♀️ from your coach. Which interferes not only with our posture but also our communication with the horse we are riding..

💡Ok wait for it: light bulb moment! 💡

Unbalanced position =
Asymmetry in the saddle = Unnecessary loads through the riders body.

This can explain your lower back pain, stiffness, post ride discomfort…

So what's this post telling you?
That if you have improper ab contraction you need to...

- Work on your core stability not just for a week but ongoing ✅
- Seek help from your physio for advice and management. ✅
- Improve your riding posture to allow correct abdominal contraction ✅

✅ Proper ab contraction (right) brings the rib cage and the pelvis closer to each other.

❌ Improper ab contraction (left) brings the rib care and pelvis father apart and arches the lower back.

❓So what am I telling you?❓

Work regularly and consistently on your core stability, if you want to flow with the horses movements and bring out its best - and lessen any negative impacts of riding on your own body!‼️

17/11/2024

When your horse injures itself and needs rest followed by rehab, do you engage your physio and vet to create a plan specific to your horse’s injury?

06/09/2024

02/09/2024

Couldn’t be more proud of our dream team! .barnes.98 and Sorena worked so hard for this opportunity and we are so excited to see them light up the stage at the Paralympics!

Special mention goes to our own super coach and groom extraordinaire of .haythorpe for her support and work with the girls!

Count down is on and we can’t wait to watch with popcorn!

15/07/2024

Your body can do anything…
It’s your mind you need to convince!

04/07/2024

I have no words…

Dianne Barnes Para Equestrian I cannot explain how incredibly proud I am of you , Sorena and all your hard work up until this point.

It has been a pleasure working with both Sorena and yourself on this journey, and I can’t wait to watch on as you take on this incredible adventure!

With your super groom Rebecca, the support of your amazing daughter Jodie, Hubby Chris and the rest of the family, I have no doubt you will fly ! ❤️

You did it…Paris 24 Paralympics here team Aus come!

Team Haythorpe

03/06/2024

❓Why do we stretch and strengthen ourselves as riders?❓

💡Because wonky horses lead to wonky riders! Which goes hand in hand with the brilliant Dr Russell Mackehnie-Guire of Centaur Biomechanics; ‘An increase in rider asymmetry can increase horse asymmetry’.⭐️

❓How many times have you heard your coach say:
- Drop your shoulder.
- Bring your elbow back to your side.
- Sit into your left seat bone.
- Elongate your spine.
- Tipping forward in transitions.
- Ineffective aids.
- Check your rein length.
- Shift your weight into one side of the saddle more than the other to evenly distribute your weight.
We have all been there and all vow to be better, do better and work harder. 😂

‼️FACT is we lie to ourselves and don’t and sink all our effort into our four legged counter parts!‼️

💡The truth is, riding alone isn’t enough to build strength past a certain point, or to take our riding and or training to the next level. That’s why strength and conditioning training is a must-have in our routine.💡

💪🏻As riders, we need to give isolated and accurate aids with our seat/weight and leg/rein, without gripping, twisting, or pulling with another section of our body. This requires independent isolation of single muscle groups against a stable but flexible trunk. This is where isolated and unilateral exercises play a crucial role. Exercises such as single leg deadlifts, leg press, rows, or calf raises can target and train the muscle groups needed for riding. This will improve the rider’s position and control of the horse, as well as improve their communication effectiveness and clarity. Along with providing a straighter rider and this in turn a straighter horse!💪🏻

🤓 Remember, as riders, we need to think of ourselves as athletes too, and prioritize recovery, such as sleep, nutrition, and hydration, to achieve optimal performance in training and during the show season. 🫡

🗣️Ask your physio to assist you in identifying areas of weakness in your riding position and way in which to fix it! 🗣️

15/02/2024

Equestrian Rehabilitation ✅