SUMMARY

In this solo episode, we walk through the real-life framework I use every time I’m asked, “Should I try this?” Whether it’s red light therapy, PEMF, taping, spinal mobilization, or even just a new stretch or gadget, we break down how to move past the hype and make a sound clinical decision.

We’re talking about critical thinking and clinical reasoning—two terms that get thrown around a lot but rarely broken down in a way that feels practical. This episode is about making informed choices that actually align with the why behind your treatment goals, instead of grabbing at whatever tool is trending. If you’re a clinician, coach, or rider trying to filter through the noise, this one will sharpen your process.

KEY DEFINITIONS

• ​Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information logically and independently, question assumptions, and evaluate claims with curiosity and skepticism. It’s not about being cynical—it’s about asking, “Does this actually make sense, here, for this patient?”
• ​Clinical Reasoning: A dynamic, evidence-informed process we use to make treatment decisions. It pulls from research, clinical experience, client input, and context to determine the most appropriate intervention.

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

1. ​Understand the WHY• Pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. We need to understand the underlying contributors—load, sensitivity, recovery, movement habits—before recommending any treatment.
2. ​Set Specific Treatment Goals• Is the goal to improve tissue capacity? Reduce sensitivity? Promote movement? Build confidence? Without a goal, we’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall.
3. ​Ask: Does This Modality Actually Address That Goal? • If you’re recommending something like laser, massage, or spinal mobilization, it better align with the system or structure you’re trying to affect.
4. ​Look at the Evidence • Is the support for this intervention coming from high-quality, independent research? Or is it mostly testimonials and brand marketing?
5. ​Compare Other Options • Even if a modality might work, is there something just as effective, more accessible, and less expensive? Is there something with lower risk? Active treatments like resistance training often outperform passive ones long-term.
6. ​Plan to Test and Measure • Don’t assume it works. Build in ways to assess before and after. If it doesn’t make an impact, it’s okay to change course.
7. ​Watch for Red Flags in Marketing • If it’s making big promises without much substance, pause. Words like “regenerates,” “balances,” or “detoxes” often signal more marketing than mechanism.

Keywords

equestrian, critical thinking, physiotherapy, horse care, treatment modalities, evidence-based practice, equestrian industry, clinical reasoning, horse health, rider health

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Life Updates

06:06 The Importance of Critical Thinking in Equestrian Care

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Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

In this episode, we discusses the essential components of being an effective rider, and look at a framework that I like to use of six pillars: strength, mobility, body awareness, power, endurance, and skill. Training off horse is essential to build physical capacity and allow riders to focus on skill development while riding. We also touch on common misconceptions in equestrian training and the need for a overall approach to rider fitness.

Takeaways

• The six pillars of effective riding include strength, mobility, body awareness, power, endurance, and skill.
• Strength allows riders to stabilize their bodies under dynamic loads from the horse.
• Mobility is crucial for matching the horse's movements without causing discomfort.
• Body awareness is essential for accurate riding and effective communication with the horse.
• Power training helps riders respond quickly to the horse's movements.
• Endurance is necessary for sustaining performance throughout a ride.
• Skill development is what occurs in the saddle.
• Training in the gym should focus on building capacity rather than mimicking riding movements.

• Your horse should not be the means to get fit; riders need to be fit before riding.

Keywords

equestrian, riding, strength, mobility, body awareness, power, endurance, skill, training, fitness

Come say hi!

• ⁠⁠Instagram: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook: @theequestrianpt⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website: theequestrianphysio.ca⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get the Training App!⁠⁠

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

In this episode, we chat about the principles of rehabilitation, focusing on pain management, understanding diagnoses, and the importance of movement and recovery.

Takeaways

• Rehabilitation is not just about exercises; it's about understanding and managing symptoms.
• You are not defined by your diagnosis; it is just a part of your story.
• Imaging results do not always correlate with pain levels or functional ability.
• Pain is influenced by various factors, including stress and beliefs about movement.
• Gradual exposure to painful activities can help in recovery.
• Load management is crucial in rehabilitation; modify activities to find an entry point.
• Resting too much can lead to deconditioning; movement is essential.
• Sleep and recovery are vital for healing; prioritize them in your routine.
• Track your progress objectively to recognize improvements over time.
• Seek professional help for personalized rehabilitation guidance.

Keywords

equestrian rehabilitation, pain management, physiotherapy, musculoskeletal rehab, load management, graded exposure, recovery strategies, equestrian sports, injury prevention, strength training

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Equestrian Rehabilitation

01:59 Understanding Pain and Diagnosis

04:35 Principles of Musculoskeletal Rehab

10:43 Managing Pain and Load

19:18 Graded Exposure and Movement Strategies

Come say hi!

• ⁠Instagram: @theequestrianphysio⁠
• ⁠Facebook: @theequestrianpt⁠
• ⁠TikTok: @theequestrianphysio⁠
• ⁠Website: theequestrianphysio.ca⁠
• ⁠Get the Training App!⁠

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

In this episode of Equestrian Physio, we discuss the challenges equestrians face in maintaining a consistent training routine. We'll go over the importance of understanding psychological barriers, the need for curiosity in overcoming limitations, and practical strategies for habit formation.

Keywords

equestrian, physiotherapy, training, psychology, habit formation, consistency, barriers, motivation, strength training, equestrian fitness

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Equestrian Physio and Training Challenges

02:25 Understanding Barriers to Consistent Training

04:24 The Psychology of Habit Formation

06:58 Strategies for Building Consistent Habits

09:44 Creating an Environment for Success

12:14 Making Training Attractive and Rewarding

14:44 Simplifying the Process of Training

17:11 The Importance of Consistency Over Perfection

19:38 Integrating Training into Daily Life

21:55 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Maestro on the Mic - Shante Cofield

"The prize for fighting for your limitations is that you get to keep them."

• Instagram: @theequestrianphysio
• Facebook: @theequestrianpt
• TikTok: @theequestrianphysio
• Website: theequestrianphysio.ca
• Get the Training App!

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

Join host Katie, a Canadian physiotherapist with a passion for equestrian and equine rehab, as she shares her unique journey into the world of physiotherapy. From her early days on a family breeding farm to overcoming personal challenges and launching the Equestrian Physio brand, Katie's story is one of resilience and dedication.

Keywords

Equestrian Physio, physiotherapy, equestrian athletes, strength training, rehabilitation, equine health, podcast, equestrian education, sports medicine, equestrian community

Takeaways

• The mission of Equestrian Physio.
• There is a significant gap in evidence-based training for equestrians.
• Katie's journey into physiotherapy was influenced by her own rehab experiences.
• Equestrian athletes need to train outside of riding to improve performance.
• Katie's childhood on a breeding farm shaped her understanding of horses.
• Her car accident led her to discover the importance of physiotherapy.
• Katie's master's research focused on equine metabolism and obesity.
• The Equestrian Physio brand started as an educational initiative on social media.
• Katie offers a range of services from free education to one-on-one coaching.

Come say hi!

• ⁠⁠Instagram: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook: @theequestrianpt⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website: theequestrianphysio.ca⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get the Training App!⁠⁠

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

In this episode of Equestrian Physio on Air, we discusses the importance of periodization in training for equestrians. We dive into how structured training can enhance performance, manage fatigue, and reduce injury risk. The conversation covers the definition of periodization, its application in both rider and horse training, and the benefits of understanding these principles for improved athletic performance.

Keywords

equestrian, periodization, training, strength, conditioning, equestrian training, athlete, performance, recovery, injury management

Takeaways

• Periodization is crucial for optimizing performance and recovery.
• Understanding basic training principles can elevate the equestrian industry.
• Linear periodization involves gradually increasing intensity while decreasing volume.
• Undulating periodization allows for variation in training intensity and volume.
• Block periodization organizes training into specific goals over time.
• Periodization helps manage fatigue and avoid burnout.
• Training should be structured to allow for recovery and adaptation.
• Both riders and horses benefit from periodized training.
• A well-designed training program can enhance overall performance.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

03:20 Understanding Periodization

06:00 Defining Periodization

10:50 Types of Periodization

14:32 Importance of Periodization for Equestrians

18:40 Applying Periodization to Horse Training

22:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

Come say hi!

• ⁠⁠Instagram: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook: @theequestrianpt⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website: theequestrianphysio.ca⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get the Training App!⁠⁠

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.

In this episode of The Equestrian Physio On Air, we discusses the importance of foundational training for equestrians, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to training that goes beyond quick fixes. We go through how to create effective training programs tailored to individual equestrian disciplines and addresses the significance of individual needs and rehabilitation in training.takeaways.

Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL7Wa0isOg1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Come say hi!

• ⁠⁠Instagram: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook: @theequestrianpt⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @theequestrianphysio⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website: theequestrianphysio.ca⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get the Training App!⁠⁠

Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education.