Lincolnshire’s Equine Back Lady @helenbacklady - also covering Yorks, Humberside,  Notts, the rest of UK & Ireland

Call now to arrange a consultation: 07947 623923
Equine Sports Therapy
  • Home
  • About EST
    • EST Recommendations
    • What is EST? >
      • Benefits of EST
      • Helen Thornton Qualifications and Training
      • Helen Thornton - Professional Horsewoman
      • EST Techniques
      • Human Sports Therapy
  • FAQs
    • EST Gallery
    • Privacy Policy
  • EST Blog
  • Contact EST

Call me if you notice these 'dips' (on your horse)...

12/3/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Call Helen Thornton on 07947 629233 
Comments

Pictures Worth 1000 words...

12/3/2017

Comments

 
Comments

Common Saddle Fitting Problems

12/3/2017

Comments

 
Picture
If you are experiencing any of the saddle fit problems shown above - please get in touch with me - as I can help! Helen Thornton - 07947 623 923

Comments

Apollo lands a 1st Prize

18/7/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Carey Hearn to Helen Thornton (EST)
Just wanted to thank you Helen for all your help getting Apollo back to work after surgery and 3 years as a field ornament! Lots of treatments and following your advise on straightness training finally paid off.😊


Comments

Meet BOB...

16/2/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Meet BOB

I even treat donkeys too. Isn't he lovely? He wasn't camera shy! Had tweaked his withers and back but he was very friendly . 


Comments

Winter Prep...

27/11/2015

Comments

 
Picture
Wow! It's certainly winter now as temperatures have suddenly dropped. So many horses are now clipped and spending much longer in the stable for the next so many months .

​Things to consider include: feeding from the floor as much as possible. This natural feeding position is the best posture for your horse to be eating from.

You may feel your horse will benefit from some magnetic boots; Introduce gradually or your horses legs will swell.

A huge straw bed may look inviting to us, but consider the impact on breathing and their legs, getting around the stable . Also uneven beds could cause overloading of the forelegs, if it doesn't come up to the door.

They need as much time as possible out of their stable. Take at least 20 mins to gently warm them up and 15 to cool down...an exercise blanket for fully clipped horses is ideal to look after their back and quarters.

Unable to ride due to the weather ? An individual set of exercises can be done in the stable. Pilates for horses is much more than carrot stretches and done regularly will have a massive impact on the postural imbalances.

Feel free to contact me. Please share.

Stay safe this winter!

Comments

Horse & Rider Pilates series #2 ...

30/9/2015

Comments

 
Picture
OK - Pilates class: second week. 

It's the day after. We did activating the core, stretching the hip flexors and plenty of back stretching.

Wowza! I have to say I can really feel I've worked on my abs today. Pilates is so, so gentle and subtle. In the past I've tried hundreds of sit-ups at all kinds of gyms. Yet this gentle class has made the most of working my abs.

I feel that, doing it this way - gently reminding your body that the core has a job to do (I'm 10 months post-operation too so very weak core)  - is quite the way forward.

Now I know how my horse feels when I am doing those sternum lifts and dorsal reflex stretches. 

Oh, and the gentle hip flexor work we did....Wowza again!

This really showed up how I am weak down my left side, and collapse over to my left. No wonder my right leg grabs ...that's obviously to stop me from falling out the side door. Even though it's subtle it's having a massive impact on Missy’s jumping and flat work. 

Starting to feel I will be so much improved by next year.
 
Stay tuned for next week’s Horse & Rider Plates Report

Comments

New Horse & Rider Pilates Series: #1 ...

30/9/2015

Comments

 
Picture
I'm starting on a journey of a Pilates programme for myself ... and, hopefully, fellow horse riders will find this very interesting:

At the same time as I begin to see the benefits of my own human Pilates programme, I'm going to do some intense Pilates work with my horse.Inevitably we impact one another, and we do mirror each other's issues....I tend to lean over to the left, so I then stablise myself by hugging her side with my right leg /calf.  This, in turn, obviously sends my horse's ribcage through to the left.

​Therefore, I don't think it's a coincidence that, on a left circle, she's leading via her left shoulder - not quite motorbiking but you'll get the picture!


So, in turn, on the right rein she falls out through her left shoulder.

​
I'm going to write a weekly blog article to keep you all up to date with what I'm doing for myself as a rider and for my new horse.

And I hope that you all find some interesting stuff along the way.

Comments

Before and after three treatments...

19/9/2015

Comments

 
Picture
History:
Four sinus operations & a tooth removed from her left side.

3 treatments later:
What a difference: Much brighter in the eyes. Headache relieved. Imbalances and nerve irritation down her left side released...


= happier aged pony!


She has metabolic issues; imagine the pressure down on the pituitary from this imbalance.

Comments

Subscribing to the EST Blog...

31/8/2015

Comments

 
Simple instructions to ensure you don't miss anything from Helen Thornton's Equine Sports Therapy Blog.  If you have tried to subscribe before and do not receive a notification of each new blog article, please follow the process again through to the end. Thanks - Helen
Picture
Simply follow the instructions below. You'll get a small email every time a new article is published which helps you get each article as it's published, and it helps me to get around the new policy imposed by Facebook to restrict the number of  a page's fans (Likes) who get notified of each new EST Facebook post on Facebook in their own news feed.  Please follow the instructions below:

1. Please go to the EST home page to subscribe to the Equine Sports Therapy Blog (www.helenthornton.com) -  Enter  your email address in the "FeedBurner"box", and click SUBSCRIBE
Picture

2. After you click subscribe a new box will open. You'll be asked to complete the subscription request by entering a code in the a new box and clicking on Complete Subscription Request
Picture



3. After completing the box at stage 2 - a new box will open - this simply confirms that your  Email Subscription Request has been accepted.


You will be asked to check your email inbox - but don't forget to check your "spam" folder too. Look out for an email like the one shown in Step 4. below. 
Picture


Picture
4. This is what you're looking for in your inbox. Please open this email notification:

Picture
5. Having opened the subscription confirmation email - you must now confirm the subscription for one final time by clicking on the link in this email


6. Please click on the link embedded in your email. If you cannot click on it, then copy and paste it into a web browser location bar
Picture
Picture

Picture
7. Having clicked on the link in your email, you should now receive see the final confirmation box. Congratulations - you're now a subscriber to the EST Blog


Comments

Stretching & Strengthening Series #1: The horse's neck muscles tell the story...

6/8/2015

Comments

 
I see this a lot: I always give advice for rehabilitation when a horse displays these over-built, tense muscular problems.

Leave the front end alone and concentrate on the pelvis and hind leg activity. Using in hand exercises to re-establish a correct way of going.
 
It's no good having the back end in Scotland when the front end is in London so to speak!!
Helen
Horse: Incorrect 
neck
Horse:  Correct neck
Picture
Splenius muscle bulge
Picture
Train your eye: You can tell a lot about how correct a horse's frame is by evaluating the way he is using his top-line muscles. The muscles in the horse's neck really tell the story, with an area of bulging muscle at the top of the neck behind the poll proving the horse is in a false frame, from being pulled together from front to back. The left-hand picture shows the signs of an incorrect frame, while the one on the right shows a horse that is using his neck muscles properly. 
Click here to see this article on the EST Facebook Page
Comments

More on Subluxation and Poll Tension...

28/5/2015

Comments

 
Picture

Max having atlas /tmj/ occiput /cranial work History of poll tensionJust decided of late, he doesn't like having his mask on /head touched.

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Comments

Tilly "million times better"...!

25/4/2015

Comments

 
Picture
Viv Moss: "Wow - 1st proper ride since Tilly had her massage and my word she was a million times better! Round willing forwards and correct right canter lead on 3 of 5 asks, was only cantering the long side except the last time where Tilly decided she was Really feeling good and asked to do a lap and as she was bouncing along nicely I let her until she got cheeky and we had a minor break fail – lol! Thank you Helen Est Thornton you have miracle fingers."






Comments

Penny's & Miss Mary's first EST sessions...

25/4/2015

Comments

 
22/04/15 Satisfied customer Melanie Murchison posted: Penny having her first physio session with the lovely Helen Est Thornton
Picture

Melanie Murchison:  "so happy with miss mary now looks mighty fine was chuffed with helens comment about her big arse and looking like a proper horse. Makes all the hard work worth while" 22/04/15
Picture
Comments

Update from Monty...

23/4/2015

Comments

 

I'm sorry I haven't posted this sooner, I've just been having a lot of time and fun with my horsey! So, monty was sent...

Posted by Jade Lawson on Friday, 17 April 2015
Comments

Rider's Spine and Pelvis when Riding...

10/4/2015

Comments

 
Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Friday, 10 April 2015
Riding engages both the rider's spine and pelvis in three planes of motion: 
  1. Front to back
  2. Side to side
  3. Up and down
Picture
Pain, soreness or stiffness in the pelvic girdle, hips or spine?
BTC is for anyone. It's  not just for sports enthusiasts, who are in pain - or  injured - or suffering from recurring back/neck pain, muscular pain and repetitive strain/jarring injuries.


The Bowen Technique is a gentle form of muscular release treatment.
Contact Helen Thornton to arrange a Bowen Therapy Centre consultation
Specialising in horse and rider therapy
Comments

Core strengthening exercises...

8/4/2015

Comments

 

Really good straightening exercises which I do in hand first usually get lots of yawning and sighing. Ribs become more move able which has a massive impact on the horses way of going.

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Comments

Saddle fitting - Hallelujah...!

8/4/2015

Comments

 

Saddle fittingIt's not just the front of the tree....hallelujah! !

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Monday, 30 March 2015
Comments

Dressage (Sylvia Loch) - On The Bit... 

8/4/2015

Comments

 
Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Saturday, 21 March 2015
Comments

Useful Articles - Manolo Mendez...

8/4/2015

Comments

 

Manolos pic showing stress points /areas. Very accurate

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Monday, 16 March 2015

Love thisThe artwork too

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Monday, 16 March 2015
Ref: Painted Horse 2015 - Equinology and Manolo Mendez
Comments

Rider Pain...

8/4/2015

Comments

 

Rider pain

Posted by Equine Sports Therapy EST on Thursday, 12 March 2015
Comments

iFv with the poll the highest point....

8/3/2015

Comments

 
Post by Equine Sports Therapy EST.
Post by Equine Sports Therapy EST.
Comments

More dressage training and preparation...

6/3/2015

Comments

 
NO - to draw reins
Post by Equine Sports Therapy EST.
Invest time, attention and love in Ground Work
Post by Equine Sports Therapy EST.
Comments

Some equine/human anatomical comparisons....

1/3/2015

Comments

 
The two images on this page are a good starting point to look at equine - human anatomical common parts and differences:

This first image is from Dr. Deb Bennett’s 
Principles of Equine Orthopaedics Part 1 comparing the equine and human forelimb, and shows that they’re very different in both structure and function:
Picture
More to follow soon on the properly trimmed hoof and how it should land...

The next image is from the US Pony Club and shows again that the tips of our fingers and toes are the horse's hooves.  This means that the horse is walking on the tips of it's fingers and toes.  That is a lot of weight for such a tiny part of the body...
Picture
Image published by US Pony Club
Comments

Post-operative care and re-hab....

1/3/2015

Comments

 
One horse taken in at a time (so he/she will get 100% attention):
  •  for post operative care
  • whether still in a cast / with stitches etc 
  • nothing a problem 
  • post KS op 
  • rehab work done also 
On very private quiet yard, using excellent techniques (straightness training.com) halter work and ridden as all horses need to be taught how to re-train their one-sidedness.
 
Based near Lincoln

Any queries please call 07947 623923 or contact me here.
Comments
<<Previous

    EST Blog

    Please Click Here for Latest Blog Articles: Helen Thornton lives near Lincoln (UK) but travels widely for work and pleasure. She keeps four horses and has a lovely dog called Lola.

    To be notified of new articles on my blog, please enter your email address below

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    Archives

    March 2017
    July 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All


    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly