Hi all, My barn is looking to bring in a clinician that focuses on biomechanics of the rider (primarily).
I have seen a couple clinicians/instructors who use resistance bands while teaching, and am really interested in that!
Any good names I could contact?
(I’m in Ohio, but we can fly/house people for a weekend clinic)
Thanks!
Shelly Thomas of Intrepid Wellness. You can find her page on Facebook. Her background is in Physical Therapy and she rides herself.
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For jumping or dressage?
Either
Molly Kinnamon does a lot of resistance band clinics. I haven’t had a chance to ride with her but I’ve heard a lot of good things.
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Hi! Where in Ohio are you? PM me if you prefer. I’d like to attend if possible.
I did a lesson with Molly Kinnamon recently and it was great.
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Britta Pederson is absolutely terrific!
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I really like Molly Kinnamon and I’ve heard good things about Jessica Bortner Harris.
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She was on my short list as well!
I’ll shoot you a PM!
Where in Ohio?
I’m not trying to be rude, this is an honest question…
As far as I know, two of the people mentioned here have no training in human anatomy or biomechanics. Only one of these people is advertised as a PT. So, what do you as a rider get out of this?
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They don’t need to be trained in human anatomy or be a Physical therapist (although one is) What they need to be is in tune with how the rider’s position influences the horse.
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They don’t need to be trained in human anatomy or be a Physical therapist. What they need to be is in tune with how the rider’s position influences the horse.
Britta Pedersen is both a trained Physical Therapist and a rider who truly gets this. She’s a great choice.
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See, this what I have questions about. If they have no training in human movement or anatomy how can they design a program that strengthens and corrects human movement? Otherwise, it’s not biomechanics, it another riding lesson. Not that there is anything at all wrong with a ‘regular’ riding lesson.
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The clinicians mentioned work specifically on rider position and how it influences the horse and they use resistance bands as part of their program which is what the OP was looking for. I have found that a biomechanics instructor gives an entirely different type of “riding lesson” worthy of calling them focused on bio mechanics. I don’t think they HAVE to have a specific degree or license in physical therapy to be a biomechanics instructor, and you don’t know what other training they do have since your only requirement is physical therapy. I certainly don’t have an issue with someone who does have a physical therapy license, I just don’t think it’s a MUST.
If you don’t like what they call it then ride with someone else? Or you could actually take a lesson with one of them and try for yourself?
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I will clinic with Julie Christie (in MInnesota) any day of the week. It really is about helping you feel how your position affects the horse and how correcting that position (e.g. unlevel hips, uneven hips) can vastly improve how you communicate with the horse and how it moves. If you tilt in the saddle or have uneven shoulders, the resistance bands will let you know in an instant. You can certainly supplement your knowledge with written material, but to work with someone who has the eye and the corrective exercises is terrific.
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Alexandria Ohio (east of Columbus)
