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| Click on image and meet VFTH Director ~ Margrit Coates |
Yes, of course horses can become athletes, I have several clients who are Olympic equestrian medallists, or other champions, leading race horse trainers ... but their horses have a properly designed fitness programme, in conjunction with veterinary physical therapists, and other specialists. Through such a team of specialist advisors any pain is noted early and worked on for resolution.
These horses have weekly physical therapy from equine specialists, acupuncture, regular chiropractic, swimming etc. Ridden work is carefully balanced between work, easy walk riding and the horses have free play time in paddocks. The riders treat the horses like they treat themselves, as athletes. These riders and trainers however also understand that not all horses adapt to athletic training, some cannot cope with even the slightest imbalance in their body ... just like some people. They know that each horse is an individual not a robot.
Deep postural muscles are developed not just the superficial ones, which as a qualified massage therapist myself, know only too well is vital. I work sometimes in a clinic with orthapedic vets and see the properly conditioned horses and those who are silently screaming in pain through over use , ignorant training or because they are not suitable for the work asked of them.
Most horses are asked to work beyond what they would wish to do naturally, do not have the benefit of insight or caring from their owners/riders though, for one reason or another. This is where VFTH steps in to educate.
Whatever we ask of the horse, it is for human benefit. Therefore humans need to be fully aware of the implications to the horse, not just the benefits to the person.
Margrit Coates
Registered Healer /Councellor | 
