Annette Willson
Training
Annette Willson sole operator of Applied Posture Riding. Annette is a Physiotherapist (Masters Degree) Horse Rider, Horse Retrainer, Performance Horse Trainer, Rider Biomechanics Coach.
33 years as a Physiotherapist working in private practice, Annette has extensive post-graduate knowledge in injury rehab and Chronic Pain Management. She has done much study on the topic of Equine Biomechanics and performance horse training. Annette was an elite event rider training all her own horses from track to 3DE level. Competing successfully up to Advanced level (in her day) and gaining selection onto the SA state squad. Raising three boys as a single parent and fulltime carer for a son with a disability made a busy life. Numerous injuries forced her to abandon competition and set her on a new path in her career.
Annette is passionate about biomechanics and correct horse and rider training applying this knowledge to her patients and pupils. This was the seed to start her business Applied Posture Riding which offers posture assessments for riders, training programs for riders including mounted and unmounted routines. She also offers mounted rider coaching. In recent times Annette has studied and designed a weight training program for horses. This is a new concept in the equine industry and is in its infancy requiring more research for future application. However, excellent results are being achieved. The idea came when she has rehabbed a horse with Suspensory ligament injury but the horse had not returned to full strength as happens with many horses. A human would go to the gym and do strength training. The idea to do the same for horses was born. Annette has designed weight pads and boots and introduced weight training for horses for strength, power and balance and better health and performance outcomes. Her passion for correct movement for both horse and rider health and performance drives her to apply up to date evidence and stay moving forward in this industry.
Visit Annette Willson at the following sessions
Details
Friday November 11th
9:30 am to 10:15 am
EQUITANA Classroom (Royal Block)
Building a Top-line in your horse using weights
Out with tie-downs and in with natural muscle building techniques for better kinder outcomes. The Equine Veterinary World is using Physiotherapy in their treatment regimes more and more.
Physiotherapy treatment and rehab are applied to horses with success. Physiotherapy strength training can now be applied to the performance horse to build a strong top line with increased muscle bulk for better balance, power, and performance. Strength training programs for horses have traditionally been based around empirical knowledge, using hill work, fast work jumping, etc. Now weight training can be added to your horses’ training or rehab program for better health and performance. Kind, safe effective
Details
Saturday November 12th
2:45 pm to 3:30 pm
EQUITANA Classroom (Royal Block)
Managing back pain and the use of Redlight Physiotherapy
As a Physiotherapist, rider and recovered from multiple injuries in my career I understand and have experience in the process of returning to health and riding safely. I have suffered back injury, fractured bones, ruptured tendons, multiple surgeries, and age-related changes. I still ride today.
Treating the acute injury, controlling the effect of pain and the restoration of correct movement for riding is a must. The core muscle training must start immediately and the riding muscles must be assessed and managed through the whole journey. Timing is important, learning HOW TO MOVE to protect your spine is essential, learning HOW TO RIDE to protect your spine and your horses back is essential.
