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Stable Body Physical Therapy

Optimizing Equestrian Sport Performance

05/20/2025

Over the last few weeks since Kentucky, there is a lot of discussion online about upper level eventing competitors and questioning horse fitness levels

You can see lack of fitness in horses competing at the top level - but it’s present in nearly all levels of competition and discipline.

While having discussions about demands of the sport is important- I also think we are in an industry that is incredibly judgement-based. Public shaming - especially without context- doesn’t help anyone.

As someone who treats horses from nonridden retired horses to FEI competitors- I can honestly tell you that most, if not all riders, are trying to do best by their horse with the tools and knowledge they currently have.

If we want to see improved fitness standards and improved saddle standards - we do that by highlighting the competitors, trainers, and barns that ARE doing it right.

So let’s move this conversation forward by highlighting the good.

Show riders what having a good fitting saddle looks like at the top level.
Show riders that are crossing the finish line with fresh horses because their fitness programming has been done so well.
Show riders that are making good calls for their horse’s well being, mid-competition.

Push our industry to strive to do better for their horses because they SEE better.

04/10/2025

As riders, we know our body impacts our horse’s movement.

But that means more than just how we position our body providing cues.

If we aren’t as strong as we need to be to be able to perform a movement in-saddle, then we are asking our horse to do more work.

If we have soreness in our body, it will impact the way we provide our cues - which can result in confusion for the horse.

It’s time riders start treating themselves as teammate for their horse in ALL aspects. We should be managing our overall wellness as closely as we monitor our horse’s.

04/08/2025

Your position isn’t just about posture—it’s about how you function within your body.
Strength, mobility, and awareness in your body creates better movement for your body AND your horse too.

That’s why I created The Resilient Rider: Essentials—a monthly strength program built just for equestrians.

✔️ 3x/week workouts
✔️ 30–45 minutes
✔️Periodized for the fluctuations through the show season
✔️ Brand new programming every 4 weeks

You train your horse with intention.
Now it’s time to train yourself the same way. 💪

04/05/2025

This is a common misconception I hear all the time when it comes to strength training.

If you are a trainer and riding 8 horses a day…That is plenty of strength training, right?

It IS creating strength and endurance, but it is sport-specific training.

You don’t see professional football players only practicing on the field.

It is vital for high performance equestrian athletes to be training off-horse in order to maintain overall health/wellness AND to reduce injury risk.

04/01/2025

Strength training is KEY for high performance sports to help athletes improve their overall health and performance in nearly all traditional based sports.

It’s about time we set that same standard in equestrian sports.
How does it help directly with your riding?
1️⃣ Stronger Legs = Improved Leg Position ✨
Your legs are a large part of your communication for your horse, so having them strong will help you improve your cueing! Strength training builds endurance and power for a steady, effective ride—without burning out your legs out halfway through your lesson.
2️⃣ Core Stability = A Quieter Seat 🔥
A strong core means better posture, balance, and control in the saddle. Whether you're sitting a powerful trot or making a quick turn around a barrel, core strength helps stabilize your body and keeps you more connected in the saddle.
3️⃣ Upper Body Strength = Softer, Steadier Hands 🤲
Holding reins shouldn’t feel like an arm workout! Strengthening your back, shoulders, and arms helps maintain a soft, consistent contact while preventing fatigue and tension. No more stiff arms or aching shoulders after long rides!
4️⃣ Improved Balance = Better Body Awareness 💪
Balance isn’t just about staying on—it’s about moving with your horse effortlessly. Strength training, especially single-leg and stability work, helps improve coordination and body control in-saddle.
5️⃣ Injury Prevention = Less Aches + Pains 💪
Riding (and barn work) is physically demanding on the body. A well-rounded strength program corrects imbalances, builds resilience, and prevents overuse injuries, so you can ride longer and pain-free.

03/01/2025

The whole “rough and tough” idea where you can just hop on any horse, ride through that buck, get back on after a nasty fall… I wish we, as an industry, could just outgrow it already. 🙄

I’ve seen riders get back on their horse after bad falls in a competition... and watched the audience clap as they got back on.

They clapped in support…but it was tough to watch for me as a healthcare provider.

To just watch them get back on without medical clearance... knowing that if they fall a second time, their concussion injury is substantially more problematic and detrimental.

The HOOPS and HOOPS that a football player has to jump through to get back on the field after a concussive episode…

Yet we have nothing.

So please, if you have a fall, or if you see someone have a fall, consider this.

You don’t have to get back on.

02/27/2025

🌟“These are the safest, most protective jumping boots!”🌟

“This wrap will keep all the tendons in your horse’s legs safe while you ride!”

“This will keep your horse safe on course!”

Marketing strategies are a funny thing.

I would ask some questions before investing in equipment that has been tagged to “reduce injury risk” and/or “protect and heal”.

There is very little research on injury in this sport. Equipment is modeled often with the idea of reducing injury or providing support but very few studies on specific equipment items have been conducted

Things to think about when you hear those fancy taglines:

Has research supported it?
Do we have case studies on it?
Have you spoken to your vet about it?
Is this even the right product to address the needs of your horse?

I don’t think every single thing we use in this sport has to be validated by research.

But…Do you know if there IS research on the current equipment you use?

02/25/2025

“I just can’t get my horse to…..collect.extend..bend..pick up one lead”

Make sure you ask yourself, is this physically available for them? 🤔

Your horse might understand the request and/or aides for what you are asking but they physically might not be able to perform that task yet.

When asking for a new movement, regardless of discipline, the horse has to understand the request AND physically have the capacity to perform it.

02/22/2025

Equestrians don’t have a lot of spare time - I get it. ⌚

Sometimes it seems like PT and off horse training can just be one more thing to add to your to-do list when you get home after a long day.

My goal is always to be able to provide clients with programming that is efficient and time conscious.

Because riders have a tough enough time prioritizing their own body, right?

01/22/2025

Stable Body PT is back in Ocala, Florida again for a few weeks of fun! 🌴
Whether you are dealing with some pain due to a busy show schedule, or if you want to improve your position while riding (like maybe you always ride crooked!?)- we're here to help! 💚

01/11/2025

Collapsing to one side while riding is a complicated issue.

Sometimes it’s a hip weakness. ✅
Sometimes it’s a low back irritation. ✅
Sometimes it’s a motor control issue. ✅

Trainers often have to try to tease out the right cue to get their rider to appear a bit more straight, but often find this issue coming back to haunt them the minute the rider goes into a show ring.

There are many different reasons someone may shift to one side with their upper body, or drop one hip which is why it is key to have proper assessment by a physiotherapist, or other qualified provider, to see where the issue stems from.

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Portland, OR

Website

http://stablebodypt.com/resilientrider

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