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.