Stable Body Physical Therapy

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.

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.