Hot2Trot Veterinary Physiotherapy by Yasmin Willerton

28/08/2025

Doggy physiotherapy 🐶

🔹Improves joint mobility.
🔸Increases muscle strength through exercise.
🔹Enhances core stability.
🔸Bonding time with your pup 😍

27/08/2025

Why riders should be cross training 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏋️‍♂️ 🧘‍♀️

Super pleased to be picking up the weights this morning after almost 6 weeks off with a shoulder impingement injury.

I believe all riders should do some form of off horse training whether it be cardio, yoga, Pilates or weights. The most important part is that it’s something you enjoy - The more you enjoy it, the more consistent you’ll be ✅

1️⃣ Improves Core Strength & Stability
* A strong core = better balance and posture in the saddle.
* Helps you stay centered, absorb movement, and avoid relying too much on the reins or stirrups.
2️⃣ Enhances Leg Strength & Endurance
* Essential for maintaining leg position and applying consistent aids.
* Stronger legs reduce fatigue during long rides or schooling sessions.
3️⃣ Boosts Upper Body Control
* Strength in your back, shoulders, and arms helps you maintain a stable frame without becoming stiff.
* Prevents slouching or collapsing through the torso, especially over jumps or in extended gaits.
4️⃣ Improves Symmetry & Muscle Balance
* Riders often develop muscle imbalances (e.g., one leg stronger than the other).
* Weight training helps correct asymmetries, improving how evenly you ride and how your horse responds.
5️⃣ Reduces Risk of Injury
* Strengthens tendons and ligaments to help protect joints during falls or dismounts.
* Builds resilience to repetitive stress injuries from riding and barn chores.
6️⃣ Supports Mental Focus
* Resistance training improves mental discipline and body awareness — both crucial in riding.

🟣 You don’t need to lift heavy weights always - But you’ll be amazed if you keep it consistent what your body can do.

🟢 Muscles respond to load not the number at the end of the weights.

🔵 3 sessions per week is absolutely fine to fit in around your lifestyle, just remember to progress your exercises when it feels like it’s easy!

My typical week now that I’m back on form:
🔸Riding 4-5x
🔹Weights 2-3x
🔸Pilates 2x

🟡 Every weight session is consistent, with goals of core strengthening, improving posture and working on knee and ankle stability 🟡

24/08/2025

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week with their horses and dogs 🐴🐶

This week has been one of variety for Gatsby.
He’s definitely a horse that wouldn’t thank you if you went round and around in circles.

Last Sunday we had a fab flat work lesson working in preparation for competition today. Then we took those principles out on a countryside ride to Well Vale to hack out to get him moving forwards and swinging from behind.

Yesterday was a jump lesson in which we did grid work and worked on my positioning both over and between the fences which really helped Gatsby spring into action rather than get long and flat.
My core is on fire now though and really highlights to me that having a couple of weeks off the cross training I do (both running and weight training) whilst nursing a shoulder injury has not helped me but it has helped the shoulder!

Today we went out to a dressage dance party to go 2 Prelim tests.

I’m going to be honest guys - I came home in a right sulk with myself because I felt I could have ridden better!

No sulk at Gatsby, he was very much who he is and where he is for his training and experience and by that I mean he’s a very spooky/looky horse. His greenness for going out really shows when we haven’t done it for a while and he was HARD work to get going off the leg to then have a good contact to work to the hand.

Which meant, no core engagement for him and a hollow frame 😣
He’s not your typical spooky horse either where he’s going to suddenly shoot across the school, it’s a very fixed, wooden feeling in the core, through the back and through the base of the neck and into the hands (You ALL know the one I mean).

Which is why I’m always banging on to you lovely clients about a good core and a supple back!!

We got 63.84% and 64.58% in the tests and there were elements were he relaxed and I was able to really harness him for some 7s.
But I feel I let him down in places where I could have probably “nannied” him along a bit better!

BUT! I am incredibly lucky to be based from my coaches yard and have good friends on the yard so I’ve had 3 different pep talks and they were all virtually the same.
The consensus was three things:
1️⃣ It’s been months since he went out to a party that wasn’t training 🗓️
2️⃣ I’m probably over thinking it and being hyper critical on myself considering our journey (Hellooo, guilty 🕵️‍♀️)
3️⃣ To get past this we continue the training but now look to add more unaffiliated competitions in to move forwards and get him used to other horses moving around so the supple, free moving horse I have at home, goes out there.
4️⃣ We do some mindset training for him and me so he takes a little bit of responsibility in his own self and also mine so my brain can shhhh 🤫

SO The Moral of this story is!
To have a horse that is happy, free and swinging in the back, you need to have a horse that is comfortable in their mind too. Because believe me, this guys back is super supple usually 😆

Gatsby will enjoy a leisurely hack and a stretch session tomorrow for his hard work this weekend ⭐️ And I’ll do a soft reset on my brain and get back to the core and weight training now my shoulder is thankfully healing 💪🏻

21/08/2025

16/08/2025

How’s everyone’s weekend riding going? Much nicer to be in the cooler weather with horses 🙈

Gatsby’s training continues to go well - We are so very lucky to be based with an top coach and eventer for all our training needs. We can literally do all 3 phases on our doorstep practically 😍

Today we did jump training - When jumping Gatsby on my own I’ve been struggling a little with silly half strides creeping in, meaning he gets too deep to a fence - Fine at home when the fences are warm up heights, but when we start jump competitions this will be the difference between a clear and poles on the ground!

A few tweaks to my riding involving correcting Gatsby’s shoulder positioning from the turns using tramlines to and away from the jumps and viola, perfect striding by the end and one confident Goose 🤩

I’m hoping to get out unaffiliated dressage with him next weekend to start showing him more of the world, so tomorrow brings a flatwork lesson to run through Prelim tests so we can get our homework for the week 😎

Hope your horsey weekends are as good as mine! 🐴

10/08/2025

This morning saw something different and also very same same for what I like 🙈😂

What a way to start a Sunday morning though than at Paul Nicholls Racing yard visit for Owners Group syndicate members.

We have shares in Brave Knight but there are some truly amazing horses at the yard. Naturally for a 14 time champion trainers yard!

Here I am stood out of Brave Knights biting distance and with Kandoo Kid.

Fantastic morning, Paul was super informative about all of the horses on parade and more!

15/05/2025

⚠️⚠️ Please Read ⚠️⚠️

21/11/2024

Yasmin Willerton - Hot2Trot Veterinary Physiotherapy

Books now open for taking on horses and dogs 🐴🐶
Call or message 07716011015 for availability -
Working weekdays and some weekend availability around competition schedules.

Areas covered: North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, East and West Lindsey*
*Further distance considered for multiple horses on the same day.

🔆 Available for painted horse demonstrations - Ideal for pony clubs, clinics and many more

🔹 RAMP Registered Veterinary Physiotherapist
🔹Former university lecturer in Equine Science & Rehabilitation
🔹 Actively competing rider
🔹 Calm, patient and empathetic

All treatments are bespoke and holistic, focussing on the full body.
🔸 Static and dynamic assessment (may include ridden or lunge work for horse)
🔸Range of soft tissue therapies
🔸 Laser and ultrasound therapy
🔸Maintenance and injury prevention sessions
🔸Exercise and strengthening plans
🔸 Injury management
🔸 Rehabilitation techniques and plans

20/08/2024

Opening my books back up for new clients.
Any existing customers who love what I do, I’d appreciate a share 💖

Some evening and weekend availability around competing my own horse.

Reasonable rates. Discounts on 3 or more horses per yard or 2 dogs per home.

Full body treatments always, exercise plans and session notes included in price.

Treating dogs and horses. Based Waltham, covering Louth, Alford, Horncastle, Caistor, Nettleton, Market Rasen, Wragby, Brigg and Barnetby.

https://www.facebook.com/Hot2TrotVP

Veterinary Physiotherapy treating dogs and horses throughout Lincolnshire and surrounding areas.
Call or text 07716011015