Rider Physiotherapy
Helping riders move with greater comfort, confidence and connection
A specialist physiotherapy service for horse riders, combining clinical assessment with rider-specific movement analysis and, where appropriate, ridden observation.
Every rider brings their own unique movement patterns to the saddle. If you're experiencing pain, returning from injury or simply looking to improve your riding, these assessments help you better understand your movement and develop practical strategies to improve your comfort, confidence and connection in the saddle.
Could Rider Physiotherapy Help You?
If you…
✔ You feel uneven in the saddle.
✔ One rein always feels more difficult.
✔ You experience pain during or after riding.
✔ You're returning from injury or surgery.
✔ Your body feels like it's limiting your riding.
✔ You'd like to ride with greater comfort and confidence.
… a Rider Physiotherapy Assessment can help identify the movement patterns contributing to these challenges and provide practical,
individualised strategies to improve comfort, confidence and connection.
Options for Riders
Rider Physiotherapy Assessment
90 minutes
Suitable if you:
have pain when riding
want to improve your movement
are returning from injury
want to understand your body better
Includes:
Initial discussion
Comprehensive physiotherapy assessment
Rider-specific movement assessment
Personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan
Rider Performance Classes
55 minutes
Pilates and movement-based classes designed specifically for horse riders, combining physiotherapy principles with rider-specific exercises to improve the way you move both in and out of the saddle. Whether you're returning from injury, managing aches and pains or simply looking to ride more comfortably and effectively, these classes provide a supportive environment to develop greater body awareness and movement confidence.
Classes focus on:
Improving body awareness and movement control
Developing balance, coordination and stability
Increasing mobility, strength and flexibility
Reducing tension and unnecessary effort
Supporting comfort, confidence and performance in the saddle
Helping you better understand how your movement influences your horse
Rider Physiotherapy & Ridden Assessment
Ideal for riders who want to understand how their movement influences their riding in the saddle. Combining a comprehensive off-horse physiotherapy assessment with ridden observation provides a more complete understanding of how horse and rider work together.
Everything included in the Rider Physiotherapy Assessment, plus:
Ridden observation
Integration of ridden findings
Optional instructor feedback
Written summary
2–2½ hours
My Approach
Every Rider Physiotherapy Assessment is underpinned by my Equanimity approach, integrating physiotherapy, movement, breathing and nervous system awareness. Rather than trying to force a position, my aim is to help you better understand your movement, so you can develop lasting improvements in comfort, confidence and communication with your horse.
What is Equanimity?
A framework for rider awareness, movement and regulation.
Every Rider Physiotherapy Assessment is underpinned by my Equanimity approach, integrating physiotherapy, breathing, movement and nervous system awareness to support lasting change rather than temporary fixes.
Equanimity describes a state of calm awareness and adaptable balance — the ability to remain responsive rather than reactive.
Within riding, the Equanimity framework explores how breathing, posture, movement and nervous system responses influence stability, coordination, tension and connection in the saddle.
Rather than forcing position, this work helps riders develop greater awareness, adaptability and feel through a deeper understanding of their body and movement patterns.
The Equanimity Framework
The Equanimity framework explores how regulation, movement awareness, coordination and adaptability influence rider function and performance.
Rather than chasing fixed position, the process focuses on helping riders develop greater awareness, connection and automatic, sustainable control in the saddle.
About Joanna
Physiotherapist. Pilates instructor. Rider.
My background combines 24 years of physiotherapy, movement education, breathing and a lifelong involvement with horses. Over the years, I've developed a particular interest in how riders adapt to challenge, and how movement patterns can influence comfort, confidence and communication in the saddle.
This led to the development of The Equanimity Approach, a framework that underpins my Rider Physiotherapy services.
Rather than focusing on posture or technique alone, it combines physiotherapy, movement, strength breathing and rider awareness to help riders better understand their bodies and develop lasting confidence, control and ease in the saddle.
“You couldn’t ask for a better qualified person to do this.”
Jo is an experienced respiratory and musculoskeletal physiotherapist, Equipilates coach and rider who genuinely understands the connection between body, breathing and riding.
— Lesley
Ready to Explore Equanimity?
A calmer approach to rider awareness, movement and performance.
Contact Joanna for more information.