Equestriafitness

Equestriafitness Rider Symmetry and Biomechanics assessments on and off horse provided by a physical therapist Welcome to Equestriafitness and Physical Therapy.

Equestriafitness and Physical Therapy is an independent, mobile physical therapy clinic specializing in the physical rehabilitation, fitness instruction, riding posture and biomechanics of equestrians and horses. Work with a physical therapist who has the knowledge and hands on experience working with human anatomy and equine anatomy and also understands the physical demands of riding. By appointm

ent only. I travel to see you and work one on one with each individual. My name is Kim Cavanagh. I am a Colorado licensed physical therapist, equine massage therapist and a horse owner. I started Equestriafitness and Physical Therapy after providing hippotherapy to physically challenged kids and adults. Hippotherapy showed me the impact the horse's movement has on a rider's body and I wanted to know more about how that occurs but I also wanted to know how the rider's body influences the horse's movement. This lead me to learning as much as I could about the horse's anatomy, biomechanics and training. I took equine classes at Front Range Community College. I also took an equine massage certification course and riding lessons which helped me put it all together. Since I am also a physical therapist, I approach working with the horse like I have worked with my physical therapy patients for the past 30 years. I have not stopped learning and improving my skills and techniques as I am always reading books, attending clinics and working with my own horse. I would love the opportunity to work with you, your horse and your trainer or riding instructor.

11/01/2025
Yes! Riders need physical therapy as much as their horses!!
10/26/2025

Yes! Riders need physical therapy as much as their horses!!

Physical Therapists are the most underrated profession when it comes to physical health.

As humans, most of us spend our lives in cars, at desks, carrying kids on our hips, and doing things that constantly make us one-side dominant. Many of us have been crooked for so long that we don’t even know we are crooked, and we transfer that crookedness to our horses.

Physical therapy is more than just stretching or injury recovery after an accident — it is a valuable modality that creates balance between the two halves of our body through movement. It alters our proprioception so we can recognize when we are crooked, and gives us simple exercises that we can do (at home!) to get our bodies back to symmetry. It breaks habitual movement patterns slowly, so the body can gradually adapt.

Veterinary and bodywork interventions (injections, laser, chiropractic, massage, etc) are excellent for reducing pain and getting the body to a place where the horse can move correctly — but they do not alter movement patterns or proprioception. Until the horses are taught to move differently, the cycle will continue.

As a rider, do you go to physical therapy regularly? If no, why not?

Do you have a physical therapist for your horse, who gives you exercises to do regularly to alter compensation/asymmetry in their movement? If so, who are they?

Don’t ride with anything in your back pockets, especially your phone!
08/21/2025

Don’t ride with anything in your back pockets, especially your phone!

𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧

While on a clinic some time ago, and again at a competition yesterday, I noticed a rider carrying their phone in their rear (right) pocket while riding.

This should be avoided at all levels.

Placing a phone in the rear pocket is likely too:

1) Significantly affect the function of the rider’s seat
2) Compromise the effectiveness of the rider’s seat aid
3) Induce/create rider asymmetry
4) Lead to uneven loading of the saddle and horse
5) Compromise rider-horse interaction

Although carrying a phone while riding can be useful for safety and other purposes (apps), alternative locations should be considered.

Image of a rider sitting on a pressure mat with their phone in their right back pocket.

Note: sharing as an observation. We have not shown this experimentally (yet).

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Broomfield, CO
80023

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