Rider Physiotherapy ​

Megan Rees is a Chartered Physiotherapist and has become increasingly aware how the rider can affect the horses’ way of going, posture, performance and physical health as well as knowing the stresses and strains that working and riding horses’ places upon the human body. As a result she has trained as an Equipilates™ Biomechanics Trainer and can use biomechanical diagnostic techniques to improve form and function in and out of the saddle. Megan now teaches from the purpose built studio on site at BARC.

EquiStable™ Fundamental Pilates Course:

A group class running for 6 weeks. You will cover

• ABC (Alignment, Breathing, Core) awareness. This includes finding a neutral spine on a wooden saddle horse
• Corrective exercises for muscle release to improve biomechanics
• Swiss ball work
• Stability work specific for riding
• And much much more. Its also great fun!

Cost £72 for the 6 week term.

EquiStable™ Performance Testing:

As riders we want to perform to our best ability whilst in the saddle; reducing asymmetries is one of the best ways to do this. Lack of rider symmetry can simply result in a loss of equine performance if we’re lucky or altered equine biomechanics and lameness if we’re not.  As a Physiotherapist Megan understands how the human body can respond to the forces that riding imposes upon it. Many instructors can recognise a rider who collapses, twists, shifts or fixes. Few can demonstrate why this happens and more importantly what can be done about it. Megan combines her knowledge as a Physiotherapist (Human and Equine), Rehabilitative Pilates Instructor and Advanced Dressage Rider to help you recognise your positional habits and give you simple ways to change them.

This clinic will involve a quick mounted assessment, followed by unmounted assessment and treatment. A second mounted evaluation is then conducted to assess positive functional changes. Exercises will be prescribed supported with online video instructions.
 
All of this for £65. You must bring your own horse. A helper to video and hold your horse would be great but not essential.

EquiStable™ Rider Balance:

A private mounted session on your own horse wearing a Visualise Jacket. A chance to put into practice everything learnt in an unmounted class/assessment.
Cost £35 for 45 minutes.

Rider Analysis Clinics:

Here at BARC we also run regular clinics with Russell Guire from Centaur Biomechanics.
Watch slow motion video analysis of your riding before and after Russell's fabulous training.
Cost £70 for 45mins

Want to sit straighter?

The first photo is before just three Equipilates™ sessions, the second one  is after.

“I feel a lot better. I am sitting straighter and I am now in less pain. I have been doing the exercises everyday. I can ride much better and the increase in my hip range of movement is substantial. The programme has helped me with my health as I am now able to take less painkillers because I have significantly less pain. My riding is now much better and I am able to ride more horses for longer periods of time.”