Applied Posture Riding

02/03/2026

Improving rider balance requires a combination of off-horse core strengthening and on-horse rider posture movement patterns that develop a "dynamic" seat.

I see a lot of programs and exercise routines that target riders. The marketing gives demos of all sorts of high-end (you need to be an athlete already) to do them.

Therapists have software that generates exercises "for eg. knne pain", on demand. Tick the boxes for that problem, gloss it up into a pdf and send it.

I see these when I get new patients who simply can't do them. Many are told they are not trying hard enough. Now this is from older as well as younger people.

Unlike many sports, riders can start at any age. Some of us have ridden our whole lives, and many take it up when life allows them.

Developing a rider's body is more than exercises suitable for riding; we need movement patterns targeted for riding.

What body posture we start with may be set in its ways and need resetting, add in our passion, cost and time and away we go, finally achieving goals.

If you need help with your journey, I'm happy to help.

Look Good Feel Good Ride Well. APR

27/02/2026

Goldilocks, I use this word in my work with patients and when training myhorses.

Nearly all prescribed workouts and routines include sets, reps, and loading. These should be determined for each patient, horse and not just standard. Goldilocks is hard to find.

Age, starting point, body, and medical history all need to be considered before setting routines.

I also consider "what is the aim and target" exercises.

As horse riders, we need to identify our deficiencies, reset our symmetries, and then build strength, balance, and coordination.

Testing your musculoskeletal function is my first step (as part of my online course). Strength routines are then added, followed by specific rider-designed movement patterns.

Goldielocks is set at a higher level for horse riders in line with our aims and targets. Remember, we train our whole horse because they can't do isolated reps, so think of your body as part of your horse and reset it accordingly.

27/02/2026

I am changing the image banner on my website,

27/02/2026

I read a news article, of all things, about new research on chronic nerve pain.

They have found that spinal nerve cells lack active mitochondria, which are essential for fighting inflammation and promoting tissue healing.

Activating mitochondria in every and any tissue will help the body self-heal.

This is a step forward in natural endogenous healing for both us, as riders, and our horses.

I use my own pad, a 660/810/940nm wearable pad, every day. This has considerably tamed my nerve pain.

I apply the equine pad 660/8810/980nm wearable pad on my horses when they are in work.

Mitochondria in the various tissues lack activity, and they fatigue. Red, and especially infrared, light targets these cells and triggers cellular action that promotes our tissue to self-heal.

The wavelengths, settings, size, and LEDs are important to get right for the best results.

If you are injured and/or older, RLT daily is a must, IMO.

26/02/2026

My gym sessions have been entertaining, educational and effective.

I am entertained by what people wear.

I am learning how people get it wrong.

I am now using the machines for maintaining my strength.

I also know my weight training program for horses is well-founded and based on the same principles.

Check my program out and ask any questions.

https://appliedpostureriding.com.au/introducing-weight-training-for-horses/

Send a message to learn more

25/02/2026

The use of a posture brace (not a joint brace) can be to
support a posture
hold a posture
train a posture

The riding posture is dynamic as well as static; it is functionally symmetrical and requires independent, isolated, and combined movement patterns. Your seat, legs and hands need to be independent as well as part of a pattern.

If you have a muscle imbalance, then training the riding posture for good riding will be one-sided. How you ride will be how you train your horse.

If you are not symmetrical with your application of pressure through your seat, legs and hands, then expect your horse to be the same.

Be aware that a lower neck injury can manifest as a shoulder neck imbalance.

I prescribe braces as needed. The posture shoulder brace is a very common rider brace.

If you have a question, flick me a comment.

24/02/2026

When does our body switch from performance mode to protective mode?

Pain
Fear
Stress
Exhaustion
and other

I my work, this is so common I can almost assume it as a person walks in.
As an instructor, there are many telling signs.

As the person in protective mode, you are most likely unaware of it, but can state a "since ...something" episode.

Common signs unmounted:
elevated shoulders with tight traps and headaches
mid back pain
lower back pain
poor sleep
muscle imbalances
lactic acid buildup

Common signs mounted:
tight hands
short reins
erect instead of an upright posture or leaning forward
elevated shoulders
toes turned out
poor body awareness
poor symmetry
poor balance
poor aid application

So what is the solution?
Well, you need to know what is going on in your body.
Learn why cause has created effect, and then effect has become a new cause.
Tight protective muscles rarely "just relax".
If they do relax, the inactive muscles have to be ready for action.

Resting under active muscle (especially the core) is essential before movement patterns can be introduced to regain "normal" movement and function.

I see this so often: the body has healed, but the movement patterns have not been reset. This will affect your riding forever. Yu will not "fix" this in the saddle.

22/02/2026

I'm in Broome with family and also working a locum Physio job. Hot and humid, and experienced rain in volumes as a treat.

I can't ride, too hot to walk, and the ground is flat, so I signed up for a short-term gym membership.

AC and multiple choices of cardio and strength machines.

My choice is the cross trainer, the walking machine, and the leg ABD ADD strength machine.

Google suggested I use the rowing machine! An exercise with high risk for disc injury and watching people use it was distressing. So much loading on the lumbar spine.
It is not just the machine you work out on, it is the "technique".

One girl ran for 30mins landing on her toes!

Another did a calf raise using his traps.
Another did arm pulls with an obvious trunk wobble.

I had 2 new patients with headaches and neck pain after gym sessions. Both had a strong core in testing, but a functional drop-off during loading.

So my sessions at the gym are proving to be a workout for me and a source of information on technique errors for patients.

As horse riders, the gym is a great choice, but choose your muscle-loading machines with a purpose in mind.

As horse riders, targeting core function, symmetry, balance, endurance, strength and coordination is a good use of your time.

The core crunch is still my no. 1 skill for all movement.

Core function with lumbo-pelvic flexibility will give you a body that rides well.

13/02/2026

The mini massage guns are delayed for the time being. I have the Maxi massage gun instock. This is ideal for horses and humans for percussion and vibration therapy for muscles and fascia.

I have found that my need to stretch is much less when I use the Maxi gun regularly.

My favourite saying to all my patients is "Treat NO PAIN".

08/02/2026

We aim for an injury to heal and for rehab to restore function and skills to 100%.

When an injury leaves a permanent deficiet it is much more difficult to return to 100%. The words fed to us by our medical team, family, friends and self can add to the endpoint under 100%.

I have been guilty of this, and for 5 years, I have used the excuse "since my HS injury, I can't". The past month I have been riding without stirrups ( I used to do a lot of this) and restoring my riding muscles.

I also put a limit on my mare's skills. She has a poor work ethic (true) and will never be able to produce a great test.

Well, I apologised to Norma. Yesterday, she was round, coming through from behind, and soft in front. I have dropped my stirrups 2 holes and used my core to maintain an upright seat.

No HS pain or cramping; it felt like it used to.

My goals have not changed. My skills will continue to improve. Experience is certainly one of the best learning journeys.

If you are recovering from an injury, be real with your journey.

26/01/2026

People who have a long history of injuries or even medical problems tend to get sick of doing the rehab, and near enough is good enough becomes the target for returning to riding.

Well, many of us are guilty of this.

I use the term "we stack our injuries".

Each injury has an impact, physically fincially and emotionally.

Don't allow history to shortchange the present.

Restore your core, add in strength and balance, then include symmetry movement patterns. Start unmounted, progress to mounted and take as much time as is required.

Every injury will heal. The journey is yours to follow, and returning to riding may or may not be your goal. This is a patient from a few years ago, and she is back riding.
Good luck

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