Rider Pilates

As a veterinary physiotherapist and qualified Pilates instructor, I’m passionate about helping riders improve their own strength, mobility and body awareness alongside the treatment and rehabilitation of their horses.

I qualified as a Pilates instructor in 2011 and offer both 1:1 and group Pilates sessions, with exercises tailored to the needs of riders.

The equestrian lifestyle can be surprisingly one-sided. Mounting and dismounting from the same side, carrying equipment, grooming, mucking out and other everyday tasks can all encourage us to develop habitual movement patterns and asymmetries. As riders, these imbalances can influence the way we sit, move and apply our aids — and ultimately may have an impact on how our horse responds and moves underneath us.

Pilates helps develop strength, balance, mobility, posture and body control, while encouraging independent movement of the legs, arms and trunk. This can help riders develop greater awareness of how they use their bodies, improve their ability to move independently and maintain stability through their centre.

Developing a more balanced, independent and coordinated body can help us become more effective riders, communicate more clearly with our horses and reduce the influence of our own movement habits on them.

Just as we consider the physical wellbeing of the horse, looking after the rider’s body is an important part of the partnership.

Pilates for riders — supporting you, so you can better support your horse.