Rivalé Equine

22/09/2025

Try This at Home

Here’s a simple but fascinating way to see your body’s kinetic chains in action.

Did you know your foot position can influence your shoulder position?

For years I struggled with rolled shoulders. No matter how many posture exercises I tried, nothing seemed to “stick” and they made me feel a littleoff-balance .Then one day someone pointed out that the real culprit wasn’t my shoulders at all — it was my feet.

I have very flexible, flat (pronated) feet. That hidden imbalance was quietly affecting my posture all the way up my body. When I consciously roll my feet into a more neutral or high-arched (supinated) position, my shoulders naturally follow — they open up, flatten out, all on their own.

That’s because a body is always balancing and centering itself. Every joint and muscle makes small, automatic adjustments to keep you upright and stable. A change at the foundation — your feet — creates a chain reaction upward, shifting how your knees, hips, spine, and shoulders organize themselves.

This concept, as we all know, applies to horses as well. A change at his foundation — the feet — creates a chain reaction upward, shifting how his ankles, knees, chest, shoulders and spine and pelvis organize themselves,all without any conscious thought.

This is a powerful reminder that posture in any body is never isolated to just one area. Small changes at the base can ripple through the entire kinetic chain and transform how you — and your horse — carry yourself.

15 Interesting Facts About Your Horse’s Muscles -
https://koperequine.com/15-interesting-facts-about-your-horses-muscles/

Picture credited to PosturePro

15/09/2025

With longer days - some highly sought after spaces have become available on David's regular run starting from Monday 29th September.

David is doing some fantastic work in his space but regardless of the great results he already is getting, he still remains committed to his furthering his study to continue to enhance the care and outcomes he can provide the horses.

David has a world of experiences with so many different professional aspects of horses.

Areas that he covers routinely is currently:
- Renmark
- Monash
- Berri
- Loxton
- Mindarie (through to Murray Bridge)

If your location is not on the list but you would like to book in for this run, please flick me a message as there is a small scope to broaden his radius.

Bookings are through Rivale Equine so please message through if you are interested in joining the next run. 😁

20/08/2025

03/07/2025

Why do we demand more qualifications to train humans than we do to train horses?

A kinesiologist for humans typically needs a degree and a nationally recognized certification — after years of formal study in movement science, injury rehabilitation, and anatomy.

But in the equine world? There are no consistent regulations, no common baseline qualifications. Anyone can call themselves a horse trainer.

And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve handed a scientifically grounded rehabilitation plan to a trainer—detailing exactly what a horse needs to recover—and it’s ignored.

Not adjusted.
Not adapted.
Completely dismissed.

Despite clear recommendations like:

* This horse lacks spinal stability—jumping is contraindicated.
* Pelvic range of motion is insufficient for collection work.
* Shoulder mechanics don’t support lateral movement yet.
* Neck range of motion does not allow for true bend.

The response? Silence. Or worse—resistance.

And more often than not, that horse is pushed anyway.

Meanwhile, I hold a university degree in this.

Years of study. Clinical experience. An evidence-based approach.

But somehow, that gets overlooked in favour of someone with no formal education in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, or rehabilitation.

Let’s be clear:

Horses can’t say, “This movement hurts.”

They can’t articulate where they feel pain, or what they’re physically not ready for.

So we owe it to them to know better and do better.

If you’re working with a trainer who can’t identify basic anatomical structures or doesn’t understand the difference between mobility and stability, please think twice.

You’re not just wasting your money—you’re risking your horse’s body.

You surely wouldn’t let someone without a license - rehab your child through post-injury rehab - so why is this acceptable for your horse?

This is one of the deepest flaws in the equine industry—and one that demands change.

If you're unsure who to trust, I will be curating a list of vetted, qualified trainers who understand movement science. This project will take some time but I will work on it over the coming months and add it to my website - stay tuned!

24/06/2025

Another 12 months of study done and signed off 💪

Thanks for having me again Equestricare Equine Sports Therapy

24/06/2025

For anyone wanting to learn from one of the most knowledgeable. Dr Raquel is hosting a webinar tonight that you can watch- out of the wind- and with your dinner!

Over the years I have had so many clients tell me that they knew there was something not right with their horse but they have been told by often a number of professionals that the horse is just being 'naughty'!

I have questioned it many times myself especially when the behaviour does not appear to be specific to a certain movement or exercise.

How do I know that they were not just being 'naughty' - because the behaviour changed!

🦄The behaviour changed they were given the opportunity of;

- Function
- Balance
- Stability
- A new movement pattern

Please REGISTER NOW to join me in the exploration of the link between common behavioural challenges and the physical body.

June 24th 7pm - LIVE AEST

www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/pbmc

23/06/2025

Brush/Combs

Only one available of each.

23/06/2025

Secondhand Gear Clean Out

Prices and conditions on each photo.

🐴 Lumiere “Ainsley” - Full Sized. Tried on but never actually used. Gorgeous soft padded bridle with white stitching. The bridle is brown and lighter than the photos show.
Has matching rubber reins. Has been in storage since purchase in 2022.
$70

🐴 Lumiere “Adeline” - Warmblood Sized. Used but looked after. No further use as WB head has now retired. Is a beautiful bridle, padded with matching rubber reins. Always stored inside.
$70

🐴 Equestrian Stockholm - “Purple Gold”. Full Sized Used but well looked after. Still in super condition. Gorgeous colour.
(Also have a grey one if any interest)
$60

23/06/2025

Supplement Stock Clear out.

Postage Available or Collection in Loxton SA.

Prices on each photo. 😀

16/06/2025

Just because someone says they're qualified, doesn't mean they are.

Recently, a friend told me their new therapist claimed their horse had a dislocated joint—and then told her that she will “reduce it.”

Let’s pause right there.

⚠️ That’s not possible.

If a horse had a true dislocation, it would be a medical emergency. The horse would be non-weight bearing, in visible distress, and require immediate veterinary intervention. Not massage. Not bodywork. Not “reductions.”

In this case? I had photos and videos of the horse just days before this supposed “dislocation” and “reduction.” She was moving normally. Now, nearly two weeks post-treatment, she’s lame, in pain, and exhibiting new-onset neurological symptoms.

This is not post-treatment soreness.

This is an injury.

And here’s what horse owners need to understand:

➡️ Terminology matters

Words like “dislocation” and “reduction” are not casual terms. They are medical terms, protected by law, and limited to use by those with specific medical licenses—like doctors or veterinarians. When a practitioner uses them inaccurately, it’s a red flag that they may not understand scope of practice or physiological contraindications.

This isn't just semantics—it's about safety.

Many owners don’t realize that manual therapy is a regulated profession in human healthcare. For example, in BC, Registered Massage Therapy became regulated in 1995. Before that, it was a basic spa course (~800-1000 hours). Today’s programs are approximately 2200-3000 hours, with extensive clinical training. The difference in education is massive—and it shows.

So here’s what to look out for:

🚩 A therapist tells you your horse’s joint is dislocated and they can fix it
🚩 They say it’s “normal” for your horse to be neurologic or lame for more than 48 hours after a session
🚩 They dismiss your concern or tell you to “trust the process” even when your horse is clearly worse

If any of this sounds familiar, walk away.

No treatment should ever cause injury. And if it does—even inadvertently—it is the practitioner’s responsibility to refer to the vet immediately, adjust their approach from that moment onwards, reassess frequently, and ensure the horse is not in pain.

As therapists, we are here to support the body—not damage it.

Please choose your practitioners carefully. Ask about their training. Ask about their scope. And if the language they use sounds like something out of a medical textbook—they better have the credentials to match.

07/05/2025

At this time, I’ve made the decision to step back from taking on any new clients.
I’m grateful to those who’ve trusted me to be part of their horse’s journey and will continue working with my current clients as planned.
Thanks for your understanding and ongoing support.

28/04/2025

Powerful ❤️