Rider Posture, Movement & Fitness Coaching

#bethechange

Be a better load for your horse to carry

Feel a greater connection with your horse, produce a better performance together, reduce the risk of pain and injury to you both.

Balance

Symmetrical and balanced in the saddle, both left to right and front to back.

Mobility

Supple and able to move freely and easily, without stiffness or restriction.

Strength

Appropriate strength to manage and absorb the forces of movement.

Control

Control placement of the body and independent movement to apply correct and clear aids.

Fitness

Ride without tiredness, muscle fatigue and breathlessness.

Simulator

Coaching

I'm a coach who focuses on improving you, the rider! Why?

Because if your body is in the right place and doing the right things, that's more than half the battle to anything you want to ask of your horse.

You may have spotted my headline 'Be a better load for your horse to carry'. What does that even mean?! It means be balanced, be level, have your weight in the optimal place at all times, don't block your horses movement, don't bounce on his back or flap your legs against her sides, don't tip forward or lean back too far, don't be stiff, don't be floppy....any of these things make carrying you while keeping their own balance and movement unaffected pretty darn impossible for your horse. So we need to be a better load for our horses to carry, a load that has as little impact on them as possible.

The goal in a coaching session then is to improve body awareness, proprioception, anatomical understanding and movement, and to help the rider experience changes in how they feel in the saddle. Once changes are felt, it becomes easier for the brain to 'hard-wire' these into the body and through practice, lasting change can be achieved.

There are many ways I achieve this including Franklin Method exercises and imagery, Train Your Seat embodied bio-mechanics principles, and tools and techniques from Equipilates, as well as my skills and experience as a BHS Senior Coach, Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer.

#bethechange

Pilates for Riders

These classes were the very first thing thing I did, something I was so passionate about because of the difference Pilates had made to me - to my riding, my horse and my life (read the how it started blurb). And yes the classes were at yards in indoor schools and barns, hence the tractor pic!
The principles of Pilates match, in my humble opinion, so very well to the requirements of riding. Can you see how things like Breath, Concentration, and Centre, and Control, Precision, and Flow, all sound like pretty useful things for a rider to master?

My classes include exercises that are particularly beneficial to riders, of all ages and abilities, and it's important to me that clients understand the relevance of that exercise to their riding. I don't do particularly advanced movements, I try to pick ones that everyone can do or can adapt enough to do, and add more challenging aspects as necessary. And here's the great thing - you're in a room of fellow riders so no-one gives a c*#p if you turn up in jods and with hay stuck to your socks! No leotards here (well, if you want to feel free, just saying).

#bethechange

Equestrian Fitness

There's a lot about being horsey that's far from sedentary in terms of activity levels. There's also a lot about being horsey that's very time consuming, not to mention expensive. If you add all these things up, chances are that training for riding fitness is not high up there on your priorities list.
So is that the right approach? Or should we be considering hitting the pavements, the gym and the weights?
The fact is yes we should be, and I'd argue that we might be doing our horse (and ourselves) a disservice if we don't think this to be a serious requirement of us as a rider. Not many activities on the yard get your heart rate up and leave you out of breath, or require periods of sustained muscular engagement, but jumping a round of show jumps or a cross country course do and so you need to train your body for it. Your heart and lungs need practice at coping with bursts of high intensity activity so they can keep providing your muscles with energy and oxygen, and your muscles need to train for stamina and in some cases, yes, for strength.

How it started

This image right here is where it started! Actually that's not entirely true, it started before this.

I was riding when my light bulb moment occurred, the realisation that because I had developed better body awareness and control through Pilates classes, my horse was going way better than ever before!. So, more accurately this is where Posturide started, when I'd trained to become a Pilates Instructor and my first service offering was Pilates for Riders classes.

I've since added to that but the principle is the same - every rider deserves, dare I say NEEDS, the chance to understand the impact their body has on their horse, and the means to make that a positive rather than a negative one. I can't stress enough that you can make just as much (if not more!) of a difference to how your horse goes by working on improving you, as working solely on your horse.

Won't you join me on the journey of change - for yourself and your horse.

Unlock peak performance for you and your horse

You’ve seen what I have to offer, now it’s time to say hello to better posture, fewer aches, and a horse that’s genuinely wondering what’s gotten into you (in the best way possible)! Whether you're aiming to ride straighter, feel stronger, or just stop collapsing to one side, I've got you covered.

Not sure which service is right for you?

No problem – book a free chat and I will help you find the perfect fit.

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Testimonials

"Excellent Session"

I had a fabulous session with Ace and Amanda yesterday. Amanda identified issues and helped me “feel” them, gave guidance in improving this at the time and ongoing. Ace was good at showing improvement as we went along to. Excellent session, looking forward to working on it and the next session.

"My Before and After Was Quite Amazing"

What a fabulous day with Amanda and Ace last weekend. Amanda assesses immediately your weakness and sets about correcting it using language you can understand and setting you exercises and goals going forward. My before and after was quite amazing.100% recommend

"Really Rewarding and Fun!"

Amanda and Ace were brilliant! Ace was very well behaved but also did a fantastic job of highlighting any imbalances or areas to work on. Amanda was very thorough and gave us some great exercises to try to help improve further. Really rewarding and fun! Can't wait to do another one to see our progress. 100% recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear/bring to an Ace simulator session?

Wear comfortable, fitted clothing so we can clearly assess your posture and movement. For Ace sessions, if you have a saddle, please do bring this along with your stirrup leathers. You are also required to bring a fitted riding hat.

Do you offer online or remote sessions?

Yes! I offer virtual posture assessments and fitness plans via Zoom or video analysis. Perfect for riders who aren’t local or prefer to work from home. I'm happy to receive any videos of your training or give live feedback on your riding via video call.

What areas do you cover? Do you offer clinics?

I am based in Exeter

I can travel and it's perfect for me if you have a group of friends on your yard who also want to join in

Is there a weight limit for ACE simulator sessions?

There is a weight limit for ACE sessions, this is 90kg. If you're over this limit, don't panic! You can still access the other services that I offer!

Who is Posturide for?

Posturide is for riders of all disciplines and levels - from happy hackers to more competitive riders - who want to improve their riding position, balance, and body awareness.

How soon will I see results?

Remember, growth and change take time, and each session and review builds on the last, guiding you step by step toward your goals. Think of this as part of a continued journey, not a one-time fix, and you’ll see the results unfold over time!

Do you work with riding instructors or physios?

Yes! I am always happy to collaborate with instructors, equine body workers, or physios to support the rider as part of a wider performance or rehab plan. Having your regular instructor on the same page as me will give you a more comprehensive view on your riding from a positional perspective.