Rider physiotherapy sessions at Pegasus Physio are guided by the Riding Ready principles – position, movement, and control. Every session is individual, but sessions follow a clear structure to identify what the rider’s body needs in order to ride more comfortably, effectively, and consistently.

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Sessions support performance, pain management, injury rehabilitation, post-operative recovery, and return to riding. Whether a rider is managing ongoing discomfort, recovering from injury or surgery, or looking to improve how they move and function in the saddle, the same principles apply – understanding what the body can currently manage, and what needs to change to support riding safely and sustainably.

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Each session begins with an assessment on the simulator across different gaits. To support understanding, sessions use photographs and video alongside data from the simulator’s saddle, rein, and leg sensors. This helps show how weight is distributed side-to-side and front-to-back, and how the rider’s position and movement change as the demands of riding change. Off-horse assessment and treatment are also used where appropriate to address pain, restriction, weakness, or loss of control that may be influencing riding.

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Sessions typically start by establishing the rider’s base of support, with particular focus on:

• pelvic position and control

• foot placement on the ball of the foot

• maintaining a level stirrup with a vertical leather, with and without weight through the feet

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From there, attention moves up through the body to look at shoulder, arm, and wrist positions, helping the rider stay balanced while keeping the hands independent and effective. This applies whether the goal is improved performance, pain reduction, or a return to riding following injury or surgery.

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If a rider already has a stable, effective position, sessions move on to working on movement and control. This may include how the rider moves with the horse in walk, trot, and canter, specific movements such as leg yield or half pass, or how different aids (leg, seat, and hand) are applied. Sessions may also explore balance through transitions, changes in rhythm, or how control is maintained as demands increase, such as when jumping.

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If position is limiting movement or control, the focus stays there first. This ensures riders are not trying to solve riding problems – or manage pain – on top of an unstable or inefficient foundation. Findings are always related back to the specific problems the rider is experiencing, both on and off the horse, and sessions are tailored to what the rider wants to achieve.

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Treatment may include manual therapy, off-horse exercises, and work on the simulator. The aim of sessions is not to replicate riding exactly. While the mechanical horses are a valuable assessment and training tool, they do have limitations. The focus is on preparing the rider’s body for the demands of riding through improved understanding, awareness, control, balance, and strength – supporting a safe return to riding where needed and longer-term comfort and performance.

 

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Get in touch to discuss your injury, concerns, or riding goals and whether a rider physiotherapy session using the simulator would be helpful for you.