Thrive Equine Physio

20/05/2025

𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 - and neither should we when it comes to our horses. Riding on feel alone or making it up as you go can lead to gaps in strength, poor muscle development, and higher risk of injury over time.

Just like human athletes, horses benefit from a structured, progressive training plan - one that's designed to suit their body, discipline and current level of fitness.

As an equine physio, I assess your horse's movement, muscle patterns and workload to develop a 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 that supports long-term soundness and performance.

Because the best results come from training with a purpose - not just riding more.

Book via the link in bio ✨

14/05/2025

𝗢𝗳𝗳-𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 💪

🏇 If your horse is on a break or in lighter work, it's the perfect time to reset, refocus and build the foundations that will set them up for the competition season ahead.

👉 Swipe through for a few ways to train your horse during the off-season (without needing hours in the saddle or getting them sweaty on a cold evening).

For a personalized plan to suit your horse, their current workload and your goals for the rest of 2025, book a physio session via DM or the website (link in bio).

23/04/2025

💪 Maximize your horse's down time by getting them treated before they go out to spell.

🏇 With competition seasons winding up before winter, most owners are planning a short spell for their horse (and themselves 😆) over the colder months. Getting your horse treated by a physio prior to spelling:

✅ Ensures they don't carry pain during their spell
✅ Optimises recovery from a long competition season
✅ Reduces compensatory movement patterns (due to pain or stiffness) which can become habitual

Getting a rehab plan, with ground work and stretching, to address areas of pain or stiffness during the horses off season will ensure they return to the competition ring stronger than ever🏆

If you want to optimise your horses recovery through the off season and come back stronger, DM or head to the link in bio to book at appointment ✨

04/04/2025

Your golden oldie deserves to feel their best 💛 whether they're still in light work or retired, there's plenty you can do to keep your senior horse sound, mobile and happy for years to come.

Swipe through for 5 simple, effective ways to support your aging horse 🐴👇

1️⃣ Manage their weight
2️⃣ Low impact exercise
3️⃣ Keep them warm
4️⃣ Flat paddock turnout
5️⃣ Stay up to date with maintenance care

It's not just about adding years to their life - it's about adding comfort to their years ✨

Share your favourite tip in the comments!

04/03/2025

🏆 Every sporting team has a physio on their bench, and now you can too!

The FEI PET accreditation means I can now treat horses onsite at FEI events. Having physio treatment before, during and after competition will elevate your horses performance and optimise their recovery.

If you have an event coming up and you would like a travelling physio for both horses and riders (including interstate competitions), DM me to get more info and book in your event!

07/01/2025

💪 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱?

I have physio appointments across SA in January to help you and your horse start the year feeling fit, strong and ready to tackle those big goals. If you're looking to improve performance or simply keep your horse in top shape, now's the time to book! January spots tend to fill quickly, so head to the link in bio or DM to secure yours ✨

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas 🤶 and a huge thank-you to all of my clients! I have loved treating all your horses this year, guiding you through rehab and seeing all your hard work pay off with happy horses!

2025 will be a big one and I can't wait to share it with all of you 🥰

22/08/2024

I highly recommend this course to all owners and equine therapists! There is so much more to saddle fitting than saddle length, gullet width and wither clearance. It's a fabulous learning opportunity from one of the best in the biz ✨

We are getting started again! 🎉 Our fabulous Saddlefit and Biomechanics Online Course is starting up again 9th September!

Whether you are a concerned horse owner wanting to do your best by your horse, or an Equine Vet, Bodyworker or Coach committed to improving horse welfare - this course is going to give you the tools you need to do just that.

And one of the most popular benefits of this course - you have WEEKLY access via Zoom to the best Saddlefit Educator in Australia, Performance Saddlefits trainer Paula Jeffery - to guide you through the learning and answer any of your tricky questions. 🏇

We always fill up fast, so click the link below to secure your spot!
https://www.horseprohub.com/hsrc-course-9th-Sept

21/08/2024

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦.

The days are getting longer, coats are dropping and the sunshine is finally out ☀️. If you're bringing your horse back into work after the winter break, start on the right hoof with a physio assessment!

Getting your horse treated at the start of the season ensures they haven't got any niggly sore spots which may have been impeding your performance last summer. It's a perfect time to assess your horse to get a personalized training program to address areas of weakness, as well as building the strength and conditioning required for the upcoming season.

If you have big goals this spring, let me help you achieve them 🏆 book your physio assessment today!

16/08/2024

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

If your horse is confident with pole work, try these raised progressions - five is probably my favourite exercise!

5. Raise the poles at the same end using cavaletti blocks. Walk or trot down the low end first and progress to the high end. This is great for increasing hind limb and core engagement!

6. Raise alternate poles by placing cavaletti blocks under both ends of one pole, then lying the next pole on the ground. The changes in elevation are a great proprioceptive challenge. Raising one pole completely develops flexion of the limbs without losing impulsion and forwardness - perfect for horses starting to work on increasing collection!

Make sure you save these exercises to try this week and share with a mate who's ready to start pole work with their horse!

14/08/2024

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 👉

3. Place 3-4 poles one stride apart in a straight line. When your horse can travel through without hitting the poles, add more poles (up to 8).

[Walk stride: 0.8-1m apart]
[Trot stride: 1.2-1.5m apart]

4. Raise alternate ends of the poles, using jump wings, cavaletti blocks or curved pottys!

Raising the poles slightly will increase hind limb flexion, core engagement and create a longer moment of suspension, making this a great exercise for dressage and eventing horses to improve cadence in the trot!

12/08/2024

🏇𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬!

This week I'm going to show you some simple progressions on a fundamental pole work exercise - the straight line. Whilst it seems basic, I regularly utilize the straight line exercises because training doesn't have to be complex, just effective.

So if your horse has never walked over a pole before (think most OTTs and young horses!) or gets stressed/anxious over pole work, here is where to start!

1. A single pole. Ensure your horse approaches it with calmness and straightness, walking or trotting over the pole without breaking stride.

2. Place a second pole 3-4 strides away. Ensure your horse remains straight as they travel between the poles.

💥 Here is how to progress between these exercises to give your horse a great first experience with pole work!

👉 Start walking in-hand > trotting in-hand or on the lunge > walk under saddle > trot under saddle.

If your horse is confident travelling over poles, look out for the novice and intermediate progressions later this week!