Kate Stringer Equine Physiotherapist

21/06/2025

Yes!!!

Research shows the very strong interdependence between in-hand training, and under-saddle training.

If things go wrong under-saddle for any reason whatsoever, and you feel
you cannot train a safe or adequate response it is sensible to dismount and revisit in-hand training.

Time spent on this necessary part of horse training will also be rewarded in a very real sense, for example, when needing to transport a horse under the stress of an evacuation or veterinary emergency.

This text is from 'Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 2', a practical blueprint for horse training grounded in the latest equitation science.

To grab a copy visit our webshop.

07/06/2025

CPD day! This was open to vets and vet physios and the takeaway message was definitely that a collaborative approach with Vets, Physios, Farriers, Saddle Fitters and Trainers working together had the best outcome when managing equine back pain


physiotherapy

04/06/2025

It has been the day of the Connemara for me!

First thing a ride on my own Connie, Buster, then 3 x full Connemara’s and one cross on my books today!! All a pleasure to treat of course 🦄

02/06/2025

Did you know an incline of 10% increases work in the horses hip flexors, increases hindlimb range of motion and increases hindlimb propulsion as well as a substantial increase in the metabolic rate!

29/05/2025

⚠️ Laminitis Alert ⚠️

🌦️ Warm, wet weather is the perfect recipe for rapid grass growth 🌱 so it’s time to stay extra vigilant.

Laminitis can cause serious pain, lameness, and long-term hoof damage. Spotting the early, subtle signs makes all the difference when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.

📝 Keep a close eye on horses and ponies with metabolic conditions or those carrying extra weight as they’re more at risk. And remember, laminitis can strike even if a horse hasn’t had it before.

For advice and information, visit 👉 https://bit.ly/4kDRe7I

26/05/2025

Post lunge browsing, I love watching to see which plants they choose.

13/05/2025

There is lots of talk online about when to back a young horse and how much should be expected of them. Maude is 3 this time so I have been taking a keen interest in other experiences and opinions!

I have a background (albeit in the rather distant past) of backing and riding away young horses. How I go about this incredibly important period in a horses life has definitely changed since those days and I have thought long and hard about the best approach to my individual horse with the expertise and facilities I have available to me. There is a balance to be had between doing enough to utilise high neuroplasticity in the brain and not over stressing young, undeveloped bodies.

I liken it to a child - those who spend too much time in their bedrooms find it harder to become strong, fit, physically able adults but very young, elite gymnasts often develop injuries . We are aiming for a middle ground, the type of child who can withstand rough and tumble but without overuse injuries of elite sport!!

So what are my plans for Maude. She is 3 in a couple of weeks and is still looking a little croup high and needs to develop more strength and lift in her thoracic region and stability through her hind limbs. I am in no rush for her to be worked under saddle but would like her to understand the concept of having a rider on her back and realise her future also involves having to put up with me doing all sorts of experimental groundwork!

With the help of horsemanship trainer Damien McNickle she has started to do some groundwork a couple of times per week which I hope to be able to develop into exercises to target her weaker areas as she starts to learn about how to use her body and become able to understand more cues from me.

We do some short in hand “hacking” to see more of life, become confident walking out on her own and to get feedback from different surfaces including rough ground, narrow gaps in hedges and slopes all the time developing her confidence and my handling skills…we will see what the summer brings!

28/04/2025

Exactly!!

The reason for the slow, step by step conditioning of the green horse is so that when you want to put the weight to the haunches, there is something there to support the front end.

Many people mistakenly try to collect up the horse to strengthen them before the horse has any stability behind. This is like going to the heaviest weights at the gym to squat to get strong - you’re likely going to hurt yourself, or at the least strengthen whatever patterns are already there.

A horse needs to learn to become body aware, then to get into position, then to slowly develop increasing stability and mobility. You don’t get to the end result by starting at the end. You start incrementally, with a clear plan to develop toward the end goal.

But- slow conditioning doesn’t mean you avoid or do nothing with the green horse, or never introduce them to anything new. It means you have a PLAN and work at that

20/04/2025

In addition to bodywork and ground work the old adage “no foot, no horse” is oh so true. It comes as a package, balanced feet, balanced body, balanced saddle, balanced rider. In my experience all of these work together to promote good posture, and of course, good posture reduces the injury risk.

14/03/2025

When your clients are 5 mins from the beach it would be rude not too….

22/02/2025

Hopeful that this is a sign of things to come and she remains this bold with obstacles!!

19/02/2025

With the British Dressage regionals happening this week it seems a good time to discuss the preparation period for championships.

We all want to really show ourselves and our horses off at a championships and feel like we need to work extra hard in the run up to the big event. Unfortunately I have more than one client who are really successful at qualifiers and work really hard in the run up to a championship only for the horse to go lame just prior to it. This then repeats itself with the next cycle of qualifying/championships. It is heartbreaking for all involved, most of all the horse.

The riders are doing everything they can to be at their very best for the championships and here lies the problem, the horse is physically and mentally not prepared for the extra work and stress in the run up. They are being ridden 5-6 times in the week compared with their usual 3-4, the in hand session is missed to fit in the extra lesson. Maybe the left shoulder in is drilled a bit more, really focusing on getting that 3 tracks when a few weeks previously the rider was happy with a four track shoulder fore.

Soft tissue needs time to adapt to training changes, this is without taking into account any posture issues. Increased loading on less than ideal posture will always lead to increased risk of injury and musculoskeletal pain.

So do less, keep your horses schedule consistent, be strict with yourself and don’t drill your horse to get a perfect movement now when it has never been quite perfect!! The day before a competition I would always recommend not riding and doing some posture based groundwork instead. Finally always give them some time off after the big day, travelling, stabling away and the stress of the competition takes its toll. They need to unwind physically and mentally for a couple of days after, no matter the result.
Good luck to everyone competing and enjoy the big day!