Equisio - Equine and Human Physiotherapy

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Equisio - Equine and Human Physiotherapy

Elycia Metaxas-Belt BSc (Hons) Phty,
Human & Animal Physiotherapist
Australian Physiotherapy Associ

Elycia is a both a qualified Human and Animal Physiotherapist, therefore is able to fully understand biomechanics and anatomy of horse and rider alike. Thus providing unique physiotherapy to both you and your horse. You may feel physiotherapy for your horse is needed subsequent to a decline in performance, pain, injury, rehabilitation and muscular imbalances. Elycia is able to evaluate the impacts

the rider has on the horse and if this is contributing to the equines issues, hereby pinpointing problems which may occur.

03/11/2025

✨ Behind the Silks ✨

Today, as the nation turns its eyes to the track, I think of the incredible athletes — the horses — whose power, heart, and spirit take centre stage.

It’s easy for those outside the industry to judge what they don’t know nor see. What’s not shown in headlines or soundbites are the quiet mornings, the gentle hands, and the endless hours spent keeping these horses healthy, supple, and happy.

As an equine physiotherapist, I see firsthand the depth of care that surrounds these animals — from grooms to riders, vets to physios — all working tirelessly to ensure their comfort and wellbeing. These horses are not commodities; they are partners. They are loved, respected, and cared for as the elite athletes they truly are.

And behind it all are the people — jockeys, stable staff, and their families — who make countless sacrifices, rising before the sun and giving their all, day after day, so these horses can thrive and shine safely on race day.

So before you condemn the day, know this: behind every gallop, there is a team whose lives revolve around the welfare of the horse — not just today, but every single day of the year. 🐎💛

19/05/2025

💥 Motivation Monday 💥
Your horse is an athlete. So are you. 🐴💪

Whether you’re chasing clean rounds, supple lateral work, or just aiming to ride pain-free — it starts with you.

Every plank, every stretch, every mindful moment in the saddle builds a better connection. Train your body like your ride depends on it… because it does. 🙌🏼

✨ Stronger rider. Happier horse. Better partnership. ✨

Let’s crush this week, one stride at a time.

⸻

👇 Save this as your reminder: your strength is your horse’s support system.
📌 Tag a barn friend who needs a little Monday push!

28/04/2025

Yes, horse and rider physiotherapy is definitely a process — a really interesting and holistic one!

It focuses on treating both the horse and the rider together, because their bodies are so interconnected. Tension, weakness, stiffness, or imbalance in the rider can directly affect the horse’s performance, and vice versa.

So the process typically involves:

1. Assessment of both horse and rider
* Looking at posture, balance, gait, and muscle function.
* Identifying asymmetries, pain points, or movement restrictions.
* Watching them move separately and together (e.g., in-hand and ridden).

2. Treatment plan
* Manual therapy like massage, mobilizations, or myofascial release.
* Stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercises.
* Rider exercises for core strength, balance, and posture.
* Horse exercises like pole work, lunging in specific ways, or groundwork.

3. Rehabilitation and conditioning
* If there's injury recovery, they follow structured rehab protocols.
* Conditioning both horse and rider to perform better together.

4. Education and homework
* Riders are often given exercises to do at home.
* Tips on saddle fitting, rider position, and horse management.

5. Ongoing support
* Regular check-ins to adjust the program as the horse and rider improve.

It's very much about building a harmonious partnership where both the horse and the rider are physically at their best. Along with trust in each other and the professional you're working with!

01/04/2025

Reminder to our lovely clients,

Please remember our Facebook messenger for this page is unmanned.

Should you require an appointment or have questions please divert to the Instagram or give me a text/call!

Thanks

Elycia

24/03/2025

Motivating Monday

Equestrian sports are unique in the mental toughness required of the human athletes (not to mention the horses) for many reasons.

Hill & Davies explain that "emotions are physical events in the body and have an immediate biochemical and neurological impact,". "In the midst of a top performance the rider is typically so focused on the moment that there is not time to process any emotions. This is called Flow State, and is a state of complete concentration on the task at hand. Any awareness of emotions can of course lead to distraction, and effect the horses ability to perform."

While positive emotions such as happiness, confidence, and security all help prepare a rider for achieving this laser beam focused, negative emotions limit one's ability to work as one with their partner.

This affects all equestrian sports with superstars riders such as Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour in the Dressage world, Craig Williams and Blake Shinn within the racing scene all continuing to discuss mental preparation and mental health within their own sports.

Racing Mates a NSW initiative is encouraging peer support within the racing industry and, is empowering mates to look out for mates. Keeping the discussion of mental health very much alive.

It is as important to train as riders as it is to train our horses. A combined approach, while ensuring both mental and physical fitness, is imperative to achieve our goals.

Broms, L., Hedenborg, S., & Radmann, A. (2020). Super equestrians – the construction of identity/ies and impression management among young equestrians in upper secondary school settings on social media. Sport, Education and Society, 27(4), 462–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1859472

Hill, L., & Davies, E. (2024). The Impact of Mental Toughness on Riders’ Psychological Responses to Injury. Poster session presented at 13th Alltech-Hartpury Student Conference, Gloucester, United Kingdom.

11/03/2025

“Concussion is something we just don’t take seriously enough in equine sport. We wouldn’t think twice if it was a welfare issue with our horses, so why should we risk our own health and wellbeing?"
- Laura Collett

Do you know enough?

04/02/2025

🏡It takes a village…. 🏡

To be successful in any sport, it takes a village.

😇Coach: They stand out in all weathers politely shouting at us when we should know better and shouldn’t need reminding 50 million times to keep our leg on, engage our core and sit up straight. 😇

👨‍⚕️Vet: They are at the end of the phone, night or day. They administer medications, apply bandages more often than not provide moral support throughout, illnesses, injuries, rehabilitation and in the most awful of circumstances euthanasia. 👨‍⚕️

🐎Farrier: Farriers maintain healthy feet, checking angles, checking inflammation. Ensuring the perfect balanceto turn on a dime or passage throughout a sandpit. 🐎

🦷Dentist: They keep them carrot chompers working, but more importantly ensure that our 4 legged friends are happy in their mouths. 🦷

😈 Physiotherapist: A drop in performance? An altered gait pattern? Musculoskeletal pain in either horse or rider? Their analytical eye is constantly watching and critiquing your body position, your horses movement and posture. To help you perform to the best of your ability.😈

🤩 Groom: They get up at stupid o’clock to feed the horses, change rugs, check bandages, plait and turn out horses. Their abilities are limitless and they go to infinity and beyond to ensure the smooth running of a team.🤩

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Parents: No matter how old you are your parents are your number one supporters. They still turn up even when you’re and adult running round after you. They pick you up when you fall and remind you not to give up 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

❤️Long suffering supportive partners: That person who puts up with you trampling hay through the house, leaving dirty tack around, putting your filthy rugs through the washing machine. Who stands out in all weathers to support you even if they don’t know the poll from the rump. ❤️

👶 And for those parents out there...our kids! For making us want to always work hard and show them it's ok to fail and try again, because dreams are worth working for! ❤️

It takes a village to succeed, whether that’s in life or in your chosen discipline! Tag who you are grateful for in YOUR village to show how much you appreciate them!

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3934

Website

http://www.equisiophysio.com/

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