Horse And Rider Physio-Sophie Hargreaves

12/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FMwFKMTyw/

09/09/2025

ON HORSE SESSION AVAILABILITY SEPTEMBER

Hopfully everyone is feeling more inspired to ride with the better weather and longer days

I have on horse session Availability

1. Sunday 14th September at the indoor arena at RDA
2. Sunday 21st at Mcleans Island ( in conjunction with Sarah at VDS Equestrian Poles Plus Social Club ( you dont have to be part of the poles day but it is a fabulous combo)
3. A variety of days and times at my property on grass in Yaldhurst
4. Hopfully an Ashburton Clinic happening soon

WHAT HAPPENS AT AN ON HORSE SESSION?
It is a combo of on horse and off horse. I see you on horse for a short time, you then tie your horse up and I assess you off horse and either do releases or exercises etc, you then ride for approximately 30 mins with a focus on YOU and your position

Please pm me for information or to book
I can still see you off horse at yaldhurst a variety of other days

21/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWf61nBze/

𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧

While on a clinic some time ago, and again at a competition yesterday, I noticed a rider carrying their phone in their rear (right) pocket while riding.

This should be avoided at all levels.

Placing a phone in the rear pocket is likely too:

1) Significantly affect the function of the rider’s seat
2) Compromise the effectiveness of the rider’s seat aid
3) Induce/create rider asymmetry
4) Lead to uneven loading of the saddle and horse
5) Compromise rider-horse interaction

Although carrying a phone while riding can be useful for safety and other purposes (apps), alternative locations should be considered.

Image of a rider sitting on a pressure mat with their phone in their right back pocket.

Note: sharing as an observation. We have not shown this experimentally (yet).

17/08/2025

I always suggest riders learn basic anatomy of their horse. The easiest way to recognize the hock is our ankle, stifle our knee and their knee is our wrist etc https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UUALB4BXA/

Wow!

14/08/2025

This week is busy
Tonight was presenting to Dressage Canterbury . The float is packed for saddle stand sessions with the Rangi girls tomorrow and Saturday is a combined Winter reset with PureEquine Paula Doherty and
Thankyou to everyone for the invitations

12/08/2025

For horses and humans https://www.facebook.com/share/1AP3AM349x/

Easy way to remember what connects to what
Anyone remember doing this at college 😃😃😃
Hopefully its a bit more colourful than the old
Ligament = B to B
Tendons = M to B
And they didnt even tell us about Aponeurosis 😉

Sorry if the brain is human it was in my emojis 😃😃 and yes I put the letter 👁 in ligament as I blummin forgot last time 😃

29/07/2025

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23/07/2025

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💡 Are You Riding Fit or Just… Fit? 🐴

You might be walking, lifting, stretching, or hitting the gym — but is your training actually helping your riding?

Our recent research found that while more than 75% of equestrians exercise weekly, most of this movement isn’t specific to riding. The most common activity? Walking — great for general health, but not quite enough to meet the unique physical demands of dressage, show jumping, eventing, endurance, trail riding - or any other type of equestrian discipline!

📉 Despite riders recognising themselves as athletes, many aren’t training like one.
📈 Other sports – from handball, cycling, soccer, tennis to dragon boating – have embraced functional training to improve athletic performance. So why not equestrians?

This disconnect may come down to three things:
1️⃣ A belief that riding itself is enough of a workout
2️⃣ A lack of awareness about the discipline-specific demands on the rider’s body
3️⃣ A belief that paddock maintenance and horse care is a rider-workout

But here’s the truth:
🏋️‍♀️ Rider-specific, functional training boosts stability, coordination, balance and strength — the same qualities that make you more effective, safer, and more connected in the saddle. It also helps make you an easier load to carry for your horse.

✨ It’s time to move with purpose. Start training like your riding depends on it — because it does.

23/07/2025

Kissing spines
Most of us are more aware of them these days. I havnt watched this webinar but it should be interesting watching

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DvKZ5m3oi/

22/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16aDnuHP3o/

22/07/2025

Im not convinced this will help our riding! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ft3pRpDWD/

21/07/2025

There are still a few spaces remiaing for poles and i am still available to see people on horse individually or group or off horse ( i can still see you even if you are not doing a pole session) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CJmPJmLsV/

❄️ July Poles Plus Social Club ❄️
**Updated Remaining Spaces **

🌟 Saturday 26th July
At Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch

Social Club is open to all levels, abilities and disciplines with the aim of getting riders socialising in and out of the saddle in a fun supportive environment 😊

🌟 Details on flyer plus additional information below ⤵️

Cost for polework and fitness workshop combined
NEC Members $45
Non members $67
(Includes the ground fee)

This includes ⤵️

➡️ 30min group polework session
➡️ 3 max per group.
➡️ Grouped by ability or friends!

Group times
9.00 - Inhand Socialising - 2 Spaces
9.30 - Starting Out - 3 Spaces
10.00 - Full
10.30 - Progressive - 1 Space
1.00 - Full
1.30 - Full

➡️ Group fitness/balance workshop with Horse And Rider Physio-Sophie Hargreaves starts at 11.30 at the club rooms.
Bring a Swiss ball and a mat or rug!
Some Swiss balls can be provided with prior notice.

➡️ Lunch break after fitness with
Tea/Coffee and Cake provided ☕🍰

➡️ Kristal Merry Photography will also be attending to capture the day 📷❤️
Photos will be available to purchase.

🌟 Sophie is also offering on the day ⤵️
➡️ 30min 'Taster' Group sessions.
Experience riding with bands, franklin balls and other rider physio feedback tools.
$35 each if 2 in the group.
$24 each if 3 in the group.
Please only consider a group if your horse is sensible in group situations
➡️ Individual 1 hour or 30 min
private sessions. On or off horse.

Bookings for any of these additional sessions need to be made directly with Sophie by DM or call 0211437632.

Please let me know when booking what group level you would like to join ⤵️

** Starting Out - Mainly walk and trot poles. Great for first timers to Poles Plus and young/green horses.

** Progressive - Walk, trot and canter poles. For those who are confident trotting in a group environment.

** Inhand only - Suitable for everyone including young / green horses.

😊 Please let me know if you have any questions about the day or if you would like to book any of these options
DM or call 021848166
Sarah