Applied Posture Riding in Sandy Creek | Medical and health

Applied Posture Riding

Locality: Sandy Creek

Phone: +61 447 337 276

Address: 901 Barossa Valley Way 5350 Sandy Creek, SA, Australia

Website: http://appliedpostureriding.com.au

Likes: 4396

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Medical and health
• Physical therapist
• Coach

25.01.2022 This is my new project. This is Bob a 9yo OTT TB. He has been a race horse until a year ago and after 12months in the paddock he is now on a journey to be a recreational horse. In the first 3 weeks he has learnt to: Stand still while I handle him. Not fiddle with the rope and chew his tongue. Be led on the left and the right in his own space not mine.... Lunge in the open. Accept the whip as a training tool not a weapon. Move away from pressure. Follow the rein Turn both ways on a circle. Walk with his poll lower than his wither(at times). Enjoy the blue tarp flying around him. Be happy to have bags and rags and stuff dragged around behind him. Strength training has just started and I rode him for the first time on the weekend. A very smart thinking accepting horse, I know I will enjoy retraining. Thankyou Paula Trenwith for the opportunity.

25.01.2022 It takes many good ideas for a rider to relent and book an assessment to improve their posture as well as their riding. It even makes sense once I put it altogether. It is never just one muscle or one injury that is the problem.... Some interesting complicated discoveries on a few equine as well as human patients these past few weeks. Once your body is becoming more symmetrical, strong, and balanced I suggest a riding assessment. Once we have set new goals with exercises and movement patterns then you can return to your usual coach and progress with clarity and direction. Change the cycle and you may well enjoy life so much more.

25.01.2022 Plantar Fasciitis is a diagnosis very common in the population and afflicts many horse riders. I have rehabbed many with correct treatment and rehab programs. Certainly, a detailed assessment is required for nerve and biomechanics involved. However, one thing in common with all the suffers I have assessed is a tight arch. (not a flattened or high arch this is different). A generic stretch I will give you is the tippy toes stretch. Once a day about 1 min each foot.... Be careful this stretch can aggravate your big toe joint as you stretch it into extension, it will also tension the insertion of the fascia at your heel. This stretch may well be the starting point to resolve heel spurs, but be clear pain may well be increased before it is decreased. See more

25.01.2022 Not all injuries are visible and therefore may well be mismanaged. I experienced this with my last Hamstring injury. The Dr. could not see anything so I was deemed to be overstating my pain. Three heads of Hamstring ruptured off the bone all at once, I can assure you was extremely painful. But my leg was not broken and the bleeding pooled deep so I did not have the usual "football' blackleg. If I did not know better this injury may have turned into a long term problem for me.... Knowing what I had done and how to manage it has given me my life back. It took a year but I can ride, jog on the spot and do the right exercises for me!. The same concept applies to your horse, bruising, and muscle pain that are not visible in your horse may be mismanaged!. A tendon injury is more likely to be diagnosed correctly. Clinical reasoning with a correct history of events to put the picture together is necessary for the correct acute and long term mangement of all injuries. ( horses and Humans). The number of times I have listened to sad outcomes is heartbreaking. If you want to chat Pm or text me.

24.01.2022 Details and bookings for my APR Poles Clinic for Sunday 30th have been finalized. Looking forward to my small groups of enthusiastic riders. The whole session will be setting up and training functional movement for the horse to move forward long and low in self-carriage, with variable step lengths and variable step heights.... Each rider will learn and perform exercises for balance as a rider. Each rider will learn and practice how to allow their horse to be free through their back as they traverse the poles. Each rider will learn the principles of the set up and be able to reproduce the same at home with minimal equipment. Each rider will go home sore! This is not a pole clinic with multiple patterns and lines of poles. This clinic is now fully booked. If anyone wants to suggest a day for future clinics use the comments box. I am looking forward to many more similar and different clinics. https://vimeo.com/424254071

24.01.2022 Back pain on its own is not difficult to manage and rehab. When you add in poor foot control collapsing arches and an abdominal gap (from pregnancy) pain is much more difficult to manage. A weak core and a weak foot muscle both become "a cause" and "an effect". Pain inhibits the core doing its job and when the arch-supporting muscle collapses the arch the whole body alignment is out. The pain must be treated, the core must have a starting point to reactivate and the foot musc...le must start retraining all at the same time. Education, a clear plan, and short term targets build compliance and confidence in the process. Every person is different so every plan needs to be set. Returning to riding must be part of the plan. If you are not right, you and your horse will feel the consequences. See more

23.01.2022 I love the word "natural" As a noun it means "a person having an innate talent for a particular task or activity." I believe many horse people do have "natural" ability and skills to train and ride a horse in their discipline. I am more skeptical about teaching "natural" skills.... I believe a person can learn new skills and applying them with great success and be better at that sport. I believe the person who has no "natural" talent can not miss any steps in the training for the skill to be achieved. Many of my pupils are taught higher class skills (eg inside leg to outside rein) without learning basic skills such as using their legs and hands (before their seat) to go, stop and turn. Many other skills seem to be edited as well. The skill of rising trot and weight transfer with balance has mutiple steps to achieve well before a rider can do this well. The skill of sitting up straight with shoulder hip heel alignment only comes after establishing the lower leg function for riding (not running). The skill of soft hands only comes after establishing a solid lower leg and stable seat. (We are hand dominant in our daily work, this must change to ride well.) The skill of training a horse is another level of skill set learning. The skill of having a symmetrical, strong, flexible, body, and applying independent isolated movement patterns using a functional stable core is essential, well before any rider will be successful at any of the above. The daily routine of managing pain, stiffness and strength is often taken for granted until resilience runs out. Training to be a 'natural" or even a "good" rider requires your work to include every component of the skillset requirements. So if your training neglects the unmounted Rider Biomechanics component and you want to get started and do it properly then have a look at my APR Membership program. Nothing happens quickly so you have 12 months' access. Have a look and PM me for qs to be answered. Any program under 12months seems to be a boot camp style approach. Age is a daily thing, this time next year you will be 12 months older, but will you be 12 months wiser with a set up forever to enjoy your horse and your riding. Let me know your thoughts. https://appliedpostureriding.com.au//288-details-apr-membe

22.01.2022 To retrain an "upside" down posture in a horse (and human) involves many concepts. The upside down muscle pattern is more natural than the topline posture we want in our riding horses. It develops over time, habit and use to be quite strong. (The race horse is a classic example) I see this theme in humans as well. Many people "carry" their shoulders building strength, shortness, tension and overactivity in their Trapezius Muscle. Neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches etc is of...ten the result. To have a long term change I teach these people HOW TO deactivate the Trapezius before we reset and strengthen for a better functional posture. I do the same in my horses. I spend time retraining resting postures and show the horse how to deactivate their tight short strong muscles before we even start building strength in others. The order is important. See more

22.01.2022 I am treating a lady who shifts to the right and has more weight in the R stirrup when turning left or circling left. The not so obvious problem is an old nerve root injury in the left foot causing the calf muscle to be tight and the ankle joint to lose dorsiflexion (toes up). The ankle creeps into plantarflexion (toes pointing down). This moves her weight to the Right seat bone and right foot.... Slowly getting weight symmetrical and control of the seat bones through transitions. Lots to do unmounted though.

21.01.2022 Riders and horses feel pain and we notice weakness and stiffness. We and our horses adapt our movements and adjust the way we perform. Resilience is variable in us all. Tolerance is variable in us all. What is your horse's endpoint?... The point of doing something about it is up to us, the rider. The cycle of pain, weakness, and stiffness can be halted. The stiffness can be moved, weakness can return to strength and pain can be reduced as the cycle is stopped. The cycle will only change with a rider changing HOW they manage the cycle. A performance horse /rider may well see changes within 6-8weeks, 3-6months for a return to full function. An injured horse/rider needs professional rehab schedules, and variable times frames for success. If you are stuck in the cycle of no change, review what you are doing, and make some changes. Weight training in horses (extremely successful in human athletes) for strength work may be new to the equestrian world. The application requires time. You become your horses' personal trainer, you have to put some work into it as well. You cannot, will not tie your horse down and force anything! ALL strength training is performed at the walk! https://appliedpostureriding.com.au//274-introducing-weigh

21.01.2022 An injury to your disc is acutely painful and pain and dysfunction can become chronic and long term. One of the mechanisms in play is the inflammatory response to the disc material causing changes at a cellular level. Our nerves are highly sensitive to the annulus material. Our pain fibers fire off, giving pain and we have a protective reaction in the muscles, (spasms), and all up it just hurts.! Certainly seek professional help. Once the pain starts to settle reset your cor...e activation to "on demand". The inhibition of your core (due to pain) is the most common presentation I see with acute and chronic lower back pain. Your core weakness will show up in your riding. It may not return without intervention. For more info, you can contact me, via email or PM. Photo from my Rider Program

21.01.2022 I am offering another Pole Clinic for anyone interested.

20.01.2022 The owner and I totally believe the injury that didnt occur with a recent incident with a mare forcing her way out of a float was due to her absolute strength. Not only did she avert a severe back injury she has recovered to full movement very quickly. Direct strong force on her spinous processes by the float bar most likely caused an impact crush fracture just behind her wither. Her recent Topline Strength training bulked her up considerably, this most likely protected and... supported her spine while under pressure. She will now undergo a full rehab program to restore full topline length and strength and return to her ridden functions as a trail riding horse and as a lesson horse for learners. Injuries happen, the current state of you and your horse may have a direct effect on the impact of an injury and the long term outcome. Injuries happen, the current state of you and your horse may have a direct effect on the effect of any injury and the long term outcome. https://vimeo.com/445420659

20.01.2022 I have returned rider's to riding after spinal fractures (After MRI visual assessment). I have rehabbed horses with fractured ribs and fractured spinous processes and kissing spine. The common feature is boney injury. A bone will heal (in many cases) better and easier than a soft tissue injury. Time for healing is defined and respected.... Muscles support the area around these fractures. Pain is significant in the acute stage then settles. The most important feature is to maintain muscle strength while pain and stress are managed. Moving a horse in pain may well seem cruel but allowing wasting, imbalance, and scar adhesions to develop may create long term permanent dysfunction. Every equine injury should be managed with Veterinary and Physiotherapy input. Every human injury should be managed by Medical and Physiotherapy input.

19.01.2022 The owner and I totally believe the injury that didn't occur with a recent incident with a mare forcing her way out of a float was due to her absolute strength. Not only did she avert a severe back injury she has recovered to full movement very quickly. Direct strong force on her spinous processes by the float bar most likely caused an impact crush fracture just behind her wither. Her recent Topline Strength training bulked her up considerably, this most likely protected and... supported her spine while under pressure. She will now undergo a full rehab program to restore full topline length and strength and return to her ridden functions as a trail riding horse and as a lesson horse for learners. Injuries happen, the current state of you and your horse may have a direct effect on the impact of an injury and the long term outcome. Injuries happen, the current state of you and your horse may have a direct effect on the effect of any injury and the long term outcome. https://vimeo.com/445420659

18.01.2022 I have finished consulting for the day. There is much trust when a man says "Do what you want with me" and then asks "How much do you want me to strip off"? I'm ready! When you touch people (and horses) for a living the words are not always professional but the meaning is. This week I have seen a person with a CHU (Closed head Injury). A 13yo soccer injury. A Migraine HA sufferer.... A recovering crush fracture with N impingement. A rectus femoris tear. A bone on bone OA knee A complete Rupture of 2 rotator cuff tendons. Our life is about managing all the parts to a better outcome. I love being part of managing this aspect of people's lives. Neglect, denial, procrastination are also management styles. Time is the same for every one of us, what we do with each segment is up to us. Time does fly (photo of me) Now it is time for me to be with my horses. enjoy your time xx

17.01.2022 This came via email today. Time for a little MYTH BUSTING: Recently, the phrase "active is better than passive" has been published in articles, memes, and thrown around in chat-boards as if it's some undeniable truth. There is absolutely no support in the research, in practice, or from patient preference data, that even remotely supports the assertion that active interventions are superior to passive interventions. So let's be very clear:... Active interventions are NOT better than passive interventions. What the research says... Dozens of randomized control trials (RCTs) demonstrate that manual therapy is more effective than exercise, especially in the early stages of the rehabilitation process. Dozens more RCTs demonstrate the combination of exercise and manual therapy is more effective than exercise alone. Long-term outcomes are better when manual therapy and exercise are combined. Research studies have been included in the bibliography below. ( I can forward them to you). Hands-on manual therapy and exercise therapy is effective in my practice. Acute and chronic pain management also involves other modalities. I also use acupuncture, another proven treatment. Animal Physiotherapy Studies conducted by Masters students are also contributing to this topic to promote Physiotherapy for Animals. This is very strong in the UK. A testimonial is not relevant compared with real research.

17.01.2022 I have returned riders to riding after spinal fractures (After MRI visual assessment). I have rehabbed horses with fractured ribs and fractured spinous processes and kissing spine. The common feature is boney injury. A bone will heal (in many cases) better and easier than a soft tissue injury. Time for healing is defined and respected.... Muscles support the area around these fractures. Pain is significant in the acute stage then settles. The most important feature is to maintain muscle strength while pain and stress are managed. Moving a horse in pain may well seem cruel but allowing wasting, imbalance, and scar adhesions to develop may create long term permanent dysfunction. Every equine injury should be managed with Veterinary and Physiotherapy input. Every human injury should be managed by Medical and Physiotherapy input.

17.01.2022 Owning a horse is a privilege. We make decisions every day involving their care. We all know it is not cheap! I have a plan for all my horses for different circumstances. The most important element is horse welfare. The second element for me is financial. The third and hardest element is the emotional heartbreaking thought process.... The next time I face a disaster I will follow my plan and decide on a management course. Each of us must be prepared for the sake of fast action and correct action. Long term suffering is not an option for the sake of loving your horse. I grew up in a country Veterinary practice, I have lost my own animals along the way. I have also seen too many emotional decisions. Absolutely discuss the management with your vet and your family. All horse owners need to be prepared for something! This is not a topic addressed by many so have a think about what you WILL do! See more

17.01.2022 I have been FB quiet for a while because I am studying again. I also have 3 horses in work and treating chronic pain in middle-aged people is extremely popular. The cycle of pain, stiffness, loss of mobility creating weakness, and poor general health is reversible (to a point). Manual therapy along with exercise therapy and education about the problems people have, sets them up to help themselves. Massage, hydro, chiro, diet, and medical care are all great adjuncts to managin...g a person with chronic pain. (teamwork). Understanding pain and tissue anatomy and physiology and applying clinical reasoning to each patient are vital for a successful outcome. Then of course there is the horse rider! A challenge every time.

17.01.2022 I am very clear about my education and my skills and my experience. As a Professional adhering to a code of ethics and accountable to a registration board I must follow these guidelines. I am very happy to report the application of the latest evidence-based research in strength tendon training is producing significant outcomes for my patients. Tendonitis. tendinopathy, tendon tears will respond to tendon loading. The program needs to be designed and adhered too. Cortisone, pa...in killers and rest do not result in a long term outcome. It is a long time to live with good function. See more

16.01.2022 Long hours in the car may well be having an effect on your riding posture. Country roads are sloped from the center to the left edge (mostly) for water drainage and this creates asymmetry in your body . The more time you drive the greater the effect. The most likely posture you adapt is: your right leg stays on the accelerator your left leg is just resting with your thigh turned out knees apart... your left seat bone will have more weight through it your pelvis will be resting down on the left, higher on the right and tilted backwards shoulder will be flexed and rotated inwards forward chin will be up putting your neck in extension This restrictive posture is most likely evident in riders over 40. your pelvis will be resting down on the left, higher on the right, and tilted backward this creates asymmetry in your body. The more time you drive the greater the effect. Joint tissues stiffen, position receptors adapt. Now think about what this does to your riding posture/skills and your horse's back. You can't change your car seat or your attention to your driving but you can change how you sit in it. I do little pelvic movements, chin down exercises, shoulder blade squeezes and put weight through my left heel to support my left seat bone. I also support my lower back. Recovering your symmetry at the end of the day is the key. This is covered in my 12 Month membership program.

15.01.2022 This week has been interesting in explaining chronic pain management. Chronic pain especially Central Nervous System Pain is reactive with increased sensitivity and can be affected by these changes in the weather. In addition to the weather pressure changes, sneezing/coughing due to allergies can increase joint and or disc pain. Cramps and muscle pain may be due to protective reactions. But the single most important impact is core muscle inhibition. Pain may settle, allergies... may settle but core function will require conscious attention to return to full function. Core inhibition from pain is well documented. Keep your core activation exercises going. See more

14.01.2022 Two patients in the past month were told they throw their hips when jumping. One was told to rotate her hips back before she took off at the jump. ??? Another was told to learn to relax in front of the fence.? Both have musculoskeletal imbalances affecting their lower leg control unmounted and certainly when weight bearing on the stirrup at take off. Weak quads and hip extensors absolutely prevent any success with their ongoing jumping lessons.... Patterns of how riders ride are common, the solutions are different. So if you are hearing the same instructions the solution may not be found n the saddle. See more

14.01.2022 Procrastination is common to us all. I listened to another patient this morning beating himself up over delaying what he needed. He has lost a year of good function due to waiting. If you need to do something about something then organize to get it done. Easier said than done but so is procrastination.

14.01.2022 I get many emails with questions about injury recovery, riding problems and specific exercises etc. So much of this is covered in my online 12 Month Membership Program. This is a perfect time to get started on this program. This program will guide you through self-testing your posture, your core and riding muscles. ... I teach you HOW to activate your core and then train it for riding. I teach you HOW to stretch and strengthen your riding body. I teach you 18 specific Rider Biomechanics movement patterns. I teach you how to apply biomechanics in the saddle. I am only a phone, call or email or private lesson away for support. Read the details below, ask any qs and enjoy your riding. https://appliedpostureriding.com.au//288-details-apr-membe

13.01.2022 A brace has limited value, core strength has unlimited value.

12.01.2022 Recent times have seen a huge increase in online learning. My APR Membership course has now be updated with more content, including numerous videos of the lessons I do. I have also added some new info on managing injuries in horse riders. I have changed payment from a monthly subscription to an annual one-off fee with full access to ALL the content for 12 months. Please read the following to learn how you can take charge of your own learning program in Rider Biomechanics and training your horse. https://appliedpostureriding.com.au//288-details-apr-membe

11.01.2022 Alyshas second time riding Cassey. Great pole lesson today. Lines and forward movement done well. Lower leg stability and balance ongoing training. https://vimeo.com/457168228

11.01.2022 An injury to us as riders and or an injury to our horse requires time to recover. If the recovery time means missing out on a competition a training day or even daily riding we experience a loss. Loss of current and future events can be felt like grief. I certainly went through all of these emotions while dealing with my past injuries. Grief may not be death it may be a significant loss. Don't ignore the frustration of waiting it out, managing pain, rehab, and loss as a part ...of your progress. Shorts cuts, and or poor advice, may mean greater loss. Muscle function requires attention, wasting, and weakness happens fast, imbalances grow if you fail to reactivate and integrate correctly. Injury is inevitable when we own and ride a horse. (Sports Injury is a huge medical field), in horses and humans.

10.01.2022 Are you and/or your horse a victim of Training Trauma? The pictures below depict training trauma! I get messages from riders from time to time about riding coaches being bully, bombastic and forceful. I read many "solutions" on FB for bad horse behaviour. Muscle treatments, electrical devices, massage units , special bits, saddle fit, magic feeds, gadgets,etc. Certainly do you own research and buy what suits. However, I do believe the long term solution is understanding yo...ur horse and applying the rehab training program to reset everything! Find out the history of training, history of injury, history of ownership, history of treatment. Assess the current physical and mental state of you and your horse. With more information you can have a better reset point. I am riding a horse atm that I believe has suffered training trauma. Physically she is fine. Strength and fitness is building. Ground work is progressing, but ridden work is a disaster. Tail swishing, ears back, grinding the bit, chin to the chest, humping and anger! Psychologically she is traumatised. The first time I put a saddle cloth on her back, she reacted aggressively. Holding the saddle next to her inflamed the reaction. I have been through many sessions of relearning. Slowly she is accepting being ridden again. Training Trauma is a multi level rehab program. Be safe though, you love your horse more than they love you! See more

10.01.2022 I rode at 55kgs, history never to be repeated!

10.01.2022 I have just completed an assessment on a 13yo girl who developed hip pain in the front of her joint while playing soccer. enough pain to come off the field. There was no incident of trauma or overdoing it or a poor warm-up. Questioning revealed she had a lower back knock 2 weeks ago that was pain-free now. This incident has become a cause and effect related trauma. The lower back injury has altered her hip flexor movement and hence her free-running movement. She also has flex...ible flat feet and a loos of arch function when weight-bearing. Dr told her to rest. The correct rest is important, but not complete rest. I gave her a 2-week program I will review in a week to progress and she should be back on track to heal the hip strain but also solve the poor foot biomechanics. We also set a common sense target...maybe as in the picture? Prevention for future problems is as important as recovering from a current injury. See more

09.01.2022 To retrain an "upside" down posture in a horse (and human) involves many concepts. The upside down muscle pattern is more natural than the topline posture we want in our riding horses. It develops over time, habit and use to be quite strong. (The race horse is a classic example) I see this theme in humans as well. Many people "carry" their shoulders building strength, shortness, tension and overactivity in their Trapezius Muscle. Neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches etc is oft...en the result. To have a long term change I teach these people HOW TO deactivate the Trapezius before we reset and strengthen for a better functional posture. I do the same in my horses. I spend time retraining resting postures and show the horse how to deactivate their tight short strong muscles before we even start building strength in others. See more

09.01.2022 The time required to learn the details of how to activate important muscles is unique to each of us. I teach people HOW to activate common muscles that fail us (all ages). They fail due to pain inhibition, a stronger muscle takes over, injury, other reasons. Without these muscles contributing to your movement you will never be as good as you can be and over time with repetition, you may well end up with bursitis (hip or shoulder), Plantar Fasciitis, neck pain, or back pain or... other! We are all resilient until the last pull, push, lift, fast movement, etc and bang an injury. Our horses are the same. Unmounted training is essential for ALL riders. I am available for Unmounted Clinics (one day) or individual sessions. Your Physiotherapy health Fund Rebate applies.

08.01.2022 Teaching Rider Biomechanics is about the skill of riding at a competition and the skill of riding when training. Sit up straight, keep your hands still, and use your seat are common instructions. All valid. Rider training is about learning to be with your horse, following, supporting, allowing, asking, teaching, and understanding. When training a horse at home it is impossible to stay still, sit up straight and look pretty, training is very dynamic. Rider Biomechanics is ab...out learning the skills to ride and train, the end result is the competition posture. If your body does not have the strength, balance, and ability to move parts independent of each other then your rider skills may be compromised. You and your horse will be limited. Next time you have trouble using your lower leg think about why you have trouble instead of how! It may be a habit, a movement pattern, an injury, a weakness, a stiffness, a block in your pelvis, an ankle problem. If you want to check this out, contact me. Changing how you do what you do may be the turning point for your riding career. This applies to the elite as well, you are not immune to body changes.

08.01.2022 Chronic pain management is in the historical details of the presentation. When a person has Central pain the presentation is complex and the treatment and management are complex. Chasing pain to treat must be clinically determined. Eg. treating the outside of the hip joint with a deep burning pain is often not relevant with no injury, or clinical reasoning. Treating pain in the foot that swaps from one foot to the other is not relevant.... Telling a person to get more sleep and not to stress is good advice but HOW! Education is the key to managing Chronic Pain Syndromes. It does not make sense until it does make sense! See more

08.01.2022 I use weights, hill work and poles for strength training. Weights and hillwork are easy, pole setups take more thinking. What do you want to achieve with your training? I start with 5 even placed poles for L R stepping. To progress, I make 2 poles higher and keep the same distance. I have another line of 3 poles 150mm high even steps but closer for higher stepping I use weights, hill work and poles for strength training. Weights and hillwork is easy, pole setups take more thi...nking. What do you want to achieve with your training? I train even stepping, high stepping, and lengthened stepping. I do the lines on a long rein, on the bit all at the walk. Be very careful not to fatigue your horse. See more

08.01.2022 Sunday 30th August I am running a Rider Biomechanics Poles Clinic. Groups of 2 only. 45min sessions. Introducing pole work for riders and horses. Teaching spacing for walk and for trot work. Teaching rider position for balance and developing your horses' topline. At Sandy Creek. $60 per person (must have your own PC or EA insurance). 10am start PM me for times and or more info.

08.01.2022 The most valuable skill is what you do with your hands. The most valuable knowledge is learning how to do this. Soft functional hands only come with a strong stable posture through the seat and legs. Strength only comes with correct training.... Correct training starts unmounted and continues mounted. What you do between rides is your choice, not your horses.

07.01.2022 Alyshas' second time riding Cassey. Great pole lesson today. Lines and forward movement done well. Lower leg stability and balance ongoing training. https://vimeo.com/457168228

06.01.2022 I have set Saturday 12th September for another APR Biomechanical Poles Clinic. At Sandy Creek. Groups of 2. Starting 10.30am $60 per person (must sign a waiver)... Suitable to non-competitors and or young horses. The aim is to teach you how to use poles and movement patterns to train low forward low postures and build a strong bulky topline in your horse. I also teach the rider how to ride as a trainer verses a competitor. Pm me or text 0447337276 .

06.01.2022 This is a webinar I did a while ago. Enjoy the education,

05.01.2022 Just had a message from a patient about reoccurring back pain. Managed well with daily stretches and no recent injury to cause it. Woke with deep dull lower ache wondering to continue with the stretches. A few questions later .. yes keeping doing them. The reoccurrence of pain is due to lugging fence wire around and pulling posts out....... Once your disc space is less each impact (many micros and a major impact) will stir up disc pain. ... So my advice is to look at how you bend, lift, and move and be aware of how much you are lifting. And of course, engage all spinal stabilizers for all movements. See more

05.01.2022 I am treating a young patient atm with an ankle sprain. She has a history of previous sprains with minimal rehab and admits she did not get it right each time. She does play Netball as well as ride. This episode is more painful then previous episodes. No fracture suspected but quite unstable.... Wasting is already evident (2 weeks) and poor alignment both limbs. Being younger I will slow her rehab up for a better outcome. If she was over 45yrs I would have her moving and progressing faster. (Various reasons) This has been discussed and she has all the education of why/how/when to follow. Stability and power for push off through her toes and calf for running is quite different to learning how to rise trot through a fixed ankle when riding. We have already started the movement patterns for her future activities.

05.01.2022 Still have some spots for Saturday.

03.01.2022 This may well be a turning point for you and your horse.

02.01.2022 A very low stress clinic for all horses and riders today. All combinations achieved ideal movement patterns using variable distances and heights with the poles. All riders were successful in riding lines in light seat allowing maximum muscle recruitment for long forward, low self carriage and correct stepping of their horse. A great day, I certainly love every lesson.

02.01.2022 Conflict, a term used in our lives. Conflict with respect to your body and your horses' body will create problems. Every signal up to the brain is a message to the brain from the body, every signal down to the body is a command from the brain to the body. There are many pathways involved. When applying an aid we apply a message, the message results in the command to the body. Conflict comes when your aid is concurrent with other messages, including pain, stiffness, weakness,... misunderstanding etc. This is often the dominant message over the message of the aid. The resultant command to the body (do what you ask for) will be altered. This altered response has many forms. This is not thought of as conflict! Understanding yourself, your horse is important. This includes the history of training and or injury. To have a goal for the future involves addressing the past and the now. Experience is wonderful as is hindsight. Enjoy the future! .

02.01.2022 Success comes in different forms. My Tb mare trotted successfully for 20mins this morning while stretching low and forward fully balanced while I held the buckle in simple sit trot. 8 weeks of walking, 8 weeks of APR Topline Strength Training using the weights and a protein diet and now I have a horse happy move off the leg and enjoy being ridden. New targets for her training can now be set. You cannot fix a problem you must solve it.

01.01.2022 Pain is a dominant feature for us all. Pain alters, your ability to apply your skills. These skills remain embedded in your brain however protecting habits often take over. Skill and habit are different. Your body adapts to muscle/joint changes. With time resilience to micro trauma becomes less until "one day you wake up with pain" and you didn't do anything!... Yes treating the pain is essential. Assessing why is often neglected. Pain settles, muscle/joint movements continue to alter, habits become dominant, and the ability to apply your skills decays. You and your instructor (and your horse) know you are not right. Dropping your shoulder and keeping your lower leg still is an obvious instruction, keeping this posture is not so obvious. This is the most common rider presentation for an assessment. Interestingly the "fix" is often easy when knowing what and how to do. There is never a one treatment wonder, riding requires unmounted attention to posture detail. If you are ready to start the detail, book an appointment with me. Health rebates apply if you have private health insurance.

01.01.2022 Two more riders returning to riding after being told not too! Just need the right exercises and a plan to follow. Passion is so powerful for us all.