Applied Posture Riding

29/09/2025

My past injuries are finally reminding me that they don't tolerate age-related changes.

My knee was broken 30 years ago, and for the past 4 months, it has been reluctant to allow me to kneel on it. Just painful!.

I use my red light pad every day, but this did not release the protective muscle tension that has been developing above and below my joint.

One month ago, I added deep percussive vibration therapy to my calf muscles, quads, hamstrings, and adductors.

Last night I did an ambo shift. I also rode all weekend. I was kneeling on the floor and getting up and down without pain.

As usual, we only recognise pain. It took a while to realise my knee pain has resolved again.

The joint is still arthritic, but the progressive muscle protection was becoming my main problem.
I have been using this little compact fascia gun with a 12mm stroke length every day. My mares have also benefited, receiving a deep tissue massage daily before being ridden. ( Along with RLT).
A knee replacement is years away! Check it out here.

18/07/2025

I am getting very positive feedback on the Multi-Head Massage gun.
Many people find it easy to use and very relaxing.
I still have a few on my website for anyone wanting to add one to their home management.
Vibration in conjunction with Red and Infrared light has been a real bonus for me to manage my chronic conditions to remain pain-free.

Managing NO pain should be part of your routine. Home care is easy, safe, available, and cost-effective.

If you want any information on this, send me a message.

I practice what I preach and preach what I practice, along with other management strategies.

11/07/2025

I have a limited number of these 8 Head Massage guns in stock and on my website. I promote these in my Physio practice for muscle tension release and relaxation. I haven't used mine on my horses, but I see others are and reporting good results.

I use Vibration therapy in conjunction with Red and infrared light therapy for a deeper relief as a self-care home treatment.

Applying your pad and the massage gun is perfect for regular use.

Stay tuned I have more products on the way.

16/05/2025

If you're struggling with pain, stiffness, and slow healing, then consider red and infrared light therapy as your go-to to manage your problems daily in your own home.

This therapy is strongly backed by science and is growing in use and popularity. It is effective on people and animals.

I use my pads on myself regularly. I use the same on my mares regularly.

Here is a simple explanation if you are researching this very popular therapy.
My Applied Posture riding website has pads in stock.

CE COURSES FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://bit.ly/dra-continuingeducationDr. A discusses the growing popularity of red light therapy, exploring its benefits and t...

06/03/2025

Barbie, getting stronger every week, doing her equine weight training.

21/02/2025

Horse riding is exercise, however, horse riders should "exercise" when not riding.

Most strength training programs and cardio routines are good for us as people and we should be doing regular exercise.

Horse rider training is more than strength, endurance, and core workouts.
As riders, we need to be skilled in movement patterns.

Applying aids is a series of specific movement patterns.
EG. Inside leg to outside hand. that half halt. A rein release.

A rider needs to know HOW to perform these movement patterns and why and consistently do the same every time.

Independent control of all body parts is a skill riders need. When you are aware of body parts this will provide feedback on position, pressure, and use.

If you need an easy refresher on what your body is doing when riding try this simple movement pattern

Next time you ride and are about to apply a transition say trot to canter. Set the line up, be safe, and before you give the aid look at the sky and feel what is happening in your body.
Training rider-specific movement patterns will give you rider-specific skills.
Let me know what happens when you do this.

Send a message to learn more

11/02/2025

I am an ambulance volunteer at Clare Station now. I have been training for 12 months to achieve AA and I am continuing onto Ambulance responder now. This has made me very aware of the general health of the elderly and the dependence on the medical system for good health.

I tell young people to start preparing for old age in their 40s and 50s. By the time your mid-60s and 70s, many conditions are not reversible.

Health is a continuum and an effort. Age changes all our body systems, and keeping them functioning to a healthy level is hard work.

My go-to for inflammation is my Red and Infrared Light Therapy pads. I also exercise and eat mostly well. Generally, I am good, but I get sick of being good.

I still struggle with the weight roller coaster and hormone hiccups.

This has prompted me to investigate natural products for myself.

I have just ordered a few products to trial for 3 months.
I will have objective and subjective markers.

Who else is struggling with the age line?

Picture sourced from the internet.

04/02/2025

I watched the movie "A Horse Named Winx" last night while flying home from Perth.

Such a beautiful story. It was all about the mare being respected and so well cared for.

She certainly loved being a race horse.

Send a message to learn more

30/01/2025

Have a close look at the photos in the picture. Which rider would have a hard time staying on if the reins broke? (at the point in time the photo was taken.
A soft hand does not come naturally especially if the core and lower leg are solid.

Our feet and our hands are the leading points for movement and function. We should use this concept to train rider skills.

If we are unstable on our feet we use our hands for stability.
train this unmounted and train this mounted, your horse will thank you for it.

29/01/2025

IMO the wearing of spurs is too soon, overdone and the use of is poorly controlled.
Our hips have a significant influence on our foot position both riding and weight bearing. Tigh hip rotators will be evident when riding. In addition, your hips may not be symmetrical.
Failing to control the position of your foot is magnified when wearing spurs.
The toe out posture puts the heel in contact with the horse’s belly.
If you have a “busy” lower leg that wobbles, maybe this is why your horse is dull to the leg?
Putting a spur on just makes the busy leg sharper.
Rider training must include heel posture and the skill to control it independently.
IMO riders should not wear spurs until they can achieve this skill.
Your horse does not deserve to be spurred because you have p**t control of your lower leg.

26/01/2025

Self-carriage is a term that has many interpretations.

I have seen "self-carriage" using draw reins.??
Heavy hands and heavy-duty bits can also "create" self-carriage". ??

The head-on-neck hyperflexion posture is still trained and rewarded.
Many horses when on a long low rein still carry behind the vertical.

I know this is being addressed in our sport.

Time frames for training outcomes need to be MUCH longer.

If it takes 3 years it takes 3 years to develop the muscular system, the mindset, the education, and more.

Self carriage in the rider must not be neglected.

My way of training may well be slow and boring but the outcomes have been (are) good.

In addition to this, your horse may not want to be a superstar and you must recognize the limits.
My mare "Norma" has excellent breeding for dressage. She is doing well at Novice level and 90cm show jumping.
However, I am realizing she is a fantastic trail-riding horse.

Stay true to yourself and your horse.

25/01/2025

Balance is a key skill for your horse and the rider. Specific balance exercises are valid for every person. The starting point is important for success.
I test every person I see in my Physio practice before I set up any exercise.

I give every person a balance exercise, a movement pattern, and progress patterns.
If a person lacks muscle strength, balance exercises come after strength movement patterns.

I follow this concept when training my horses.

For context, I tested a lady for balance, she was very unstable. She has been doing "balance exercises" with a PT without success and had a fall.
Her starting point was to stand on a soft air wobble bump on one leg for 60 secs.
This is a great balance exercise but not for a person with poor biomechanics, weakness, and pain.

The starting point for everything we do with ourselves and our horses can determine the outcome or lack of it.

Your core strength is your starting point. Your hands are your safety.
So if you have poor balance your hands will be overused when riding. A steady hand only comes with good balance.

Unmounted training has a huge role in rider skills.