Bodies in Balance
~ Solutions for Equine and Equestrian Athletes ~
Anne Howard, physical therapist

Physical Rehabilitation can help you and your animals  in any discipline.

Are you dealing with recurrent problems or vague soundness issues that prevent you or your horse from progressing as you should? I have the unique combination of advanced dressage and equestrian skills combined with advanced training in manual physical therapy. Bodies In Balance provides manual therapy and therapeutic programs for horse and/or rider to help you achieve your rehabilitation or competitive goals. My approach is rather different than chiropractic or massage, but can achieve deep changes in acute or chronic postural restrictions and movement imbalances and allow correct training to progress. It is based on Integrative Manual Therapy, a manual approach derived from osteopathic traditions. In addition to traditional approaches, manual therapy and specific exercise rehabilitation (repatterning, strengthening), I use a class IV K-Laser to speed and improve healing or change old holding patterns. I am not a primary care physician or veterinarian. If you have health concerns, you should first seek a diagnosis or workup by an appropriate physician. That said, many veterinarians and physicians enjoy the gentle approach that I offer and receive treatment for themselves, their animals, and refer their clients. I am always happy to discuss how my work may help you or your animal to better health and performance with you or your healthcare professional. Please contact me at 831-247-5584.

Case Reports

Anne's Curriculum Vitae

Anne's Equestrian Resume

Available Programs




Case Studies
Pictures do speak volumes - the following case reports are examples of the types of results that clients receive during
rehabilitation. This section is under slow development due to time restraints! - additional case studies will be posted as time permits.

Case One: A 6 y/o warmblood cross gelding with training problems.
Case Two: A 19 y/o SWB gelding GP schoolmaster with behavioral problems due to discomfort
Case Three: A rider with no real complaints but stiff hips while riding
Case Four: A 6 year old Eventing gelding with sore back

Based at American Sporthorse in California.

Unique Programs

    Customized Rider Program: Physical therapy assessment, comprehensive home program instruction, riding assessment.
Many students have created unique programs of instruction for themselves by discussing personal needs or frustrations with learning certain skills. I like to find new ways to solve old problems. As Mary Wanless so nicely puts it, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."  My approach is to teach a new set of skills rather than dressing up the old resident skills that don't achieve your goals. At American Sporthorse, our research into the biomechanics of the dressage seat continues daily and consequently the direction of our instruction continues to be refined and refocused. Often non-painful body restrictions are at the root of a riding asymmetry or functional challenge, in that case, manual therapy, body awareness training or other physical therapy intervention may provide more movement options for your riding. The horse is also a consideration and may have restrictions of his own that limit ability to move up the training ladder as he should - we have the skills to help both sides of this riding equation.

    Sporthorse Maintenance Program: For the working athlete: I provide a systemic body check and laser treatment to prevent problems before they multiply, recommended quarterly or more frequently if trouble spots need regular monitoring. For horses with a history of injury, regular mapping of the region can let you know when strain begins prior to more significant tissue injury.

    Horse and Rider Program: Usually a 2-3 day retreat at American Sporthorse with an initial assessment under saddle progressing to bodywork for both horse and rider along with lessons as indicated for correcting biomechanics and establishing homework for continued progress.

    Help for Chronic Pain
A particular specialty of mine is helping riders who have been in chronic pain get back to riding in a manner that alleviates or reduces their symptoms. I find most riders with back pain have undiagnosed asymmetries or faulty riding mechanics. Making sure the student has the right goal in mind is always the first priority, then teaching the skills to achieve it. In some cases, a session of work off-horse can enable the student to use new movement patterns when back in the saddle. Riders as a group have more traumas than the average and often are amazed at how good they feel when in regular bodywork care to correct what they weren't even aware was so impaired!

Teaching Services
My teaching services include riding lessons in dressage and jumping or on the lunge, instruction in ground work, long lining, and lunging. Seminars for riders on dismounted exercises, stretches, postural evaluations, etc. are also available and quite rewarding. I have spoken and held seminars at the CDS Expo, the CDS Annual Meeting, and for dressage organizations around the country and have been published several times in Dressage Today as a panelist in the "Ask the Experts" column. My other life includes managing my physical therapy practice, training and competing in dressage, organizing quality dressage shows, and participating in my USDF GMO, California Dressage Society (CDS), often as a board member and volunteer at the chapter level. 

I'm happy to discuss clinic formats, video lessons, intensive training sessions, and other possibilities over the phone (831-336-2801 Pacific Time) or via email.

As my schedule is quite busy, please allow several days for a response as I may be out of town. Happy riding!
 

Jump to:
Pictoral Survey of my "Boiz"

Anne's Equestrian Resume

American Sporthorse Index

In-Balance Businesses

Pelvic Study: in progress
 
 This page is dedicated to the memory of Banner
"Pioneer"
June 14,1983- July 5,2002
who I had the great joy to have in my life for 19 years and who helped me find this path.

Christmas '93 with Da Boyz	Banner at 2 weeks - da buff babe!
Still posing -- running out of carrots, hurry! "Hey Posh, are you  hogging all the carrots?"	Banner was a joy to ride and be with -- powerful but sweet

Pushy? Banner? Never...  "Hey Posh, wheredya hide the carrots?"


Photo credits: Melinda Hallmark, Ed Lawrence, Anne Howard