14/ APRIL 2023 THE RIDER


Rider Fitness: Align Your Spine for Better Riding


By Heather Sansom. Welcome to the first quarter of


2023. We’re well into the New Year when a lot of riders assume that if there hasn’t been traction on New Years’ Resolutions by now…they’re gone. It’s still the ‘off season’ for com- petition (due to cold in the North, and heat in the South), so you still have plenty of time to tweak your routines and set a course to a healthier, fitter you. This issue, we focus on the spine. I know, you’ve seen a lot of arti-


cles by me over the years on core strength and spine alignment. That’s because the rider’s main instrument or connection in the saddle is your torso. As we have seen from para-athletes, you can ride without your legs or arms due to the horse’s responsiveness to weight and position augmented by aids from the flank and control of the bridle. This means that it is always timely to think about how you are using your torso, and what is happen- ing with your spine. Also, many riders suffer from back pain. Back pain is the area of specialty for chiropractors. In my academic job, I’ve been working alongside chiropractors lately, who have provided interesting insight into proper spine function. The spine is supposed to have


three natural curves: a concave curve at the top (neck area) and bottom (lower back), and a convex curve in the upper thoracic area. A properly aligned and healthy spine has a dis- tinctive and flowing ‘s’ curve. The common problems seen in riding, however, often include too much or too little curve due to tension. Many riders show too much curve in the lower and upper back, and not enough in the neck. Many riders fight against a hollow lower back, rounded shoul- ders, and sticking out chin. Since the area of expertise of


most riding instructors is your training of the horse and not your biomechan- ics, instructors commonly attempt to get riders to fix their position in the saddle. Without knowledge of what the rider can do to retrain the body posture that they bring to the ride, in- structions sometimes result in a com- promise, or a more rigid body. The rider tries several possible compensa- tions such as tucking the pelvis under to stop the lower back from caving in, pushing shoulders back (or wear a de- vice to do this!) to stop shoulders from rounding, or holding their head up stiffly to avoid looking down. The re- sult is often a stiff spine, less natural and accurate aids, and sometimes more discomfort than they started with.


These problems give rise to the


wonderful field of rider fitness and body work: from massage and chiro- practic work, to Pilates, other fitness, and other health treatments. It’s fun, fascinating, and there is a practice out


there to suit any type of person. How- ever you address the issues, a key goal is to improve your regular spine car- riage, so that you can use those nice ergonomics in the saddle without strain or tension in your ride. Exercises to work through unwanted tensions in your back are a great start. Many gentle options include: - lying on your back with a soft


rolled towel under your neck and lum- bar area, - lying on your back and hug-


ging your knees to release the lower back, - performing exercises to flex your spine in different directions, - strengthening your core mus-


cles, and - monitoring your posture in the


activities you do for most of the day so that you carry better postural habits to your ride. Wishing you success in your rid-


ing goals, and much riding joy in 2023. Safe and Happy Training!


© Heather R. Sansom, PhD. www.equifitt.com


Personal Trainer, Riding Coach, Ther- apist Fitness, biomechanics and riding in- struction. Personalized Coaching Available on- line Check out the leading 9 week rider fit- ness plan book (complete with anatomy illustrations)- available in print


or as a www.equifitt.com/fit2ride/


HORSE SHELTERS & ROW BARNS Locally Made with Quality Materials! Delivery Available!


farm in Orangeville, Ontario, where we take great pleasure in training, breeding and showing Quarter Horses. Dave is a long-time trainer and has a keen


Dave and I are blessed to own our dream


quality show horses, and take great pride in watching them succeed in the show pen.


eye for talented young horses, and matching horses to clients. We have had much success selling high


Obituary: Douglas Leroy Hughes It is with heavy hearts that we


July 29, 1950 ~ March 8, 2023 (age 72)


announce the peaceful passing of Douglas Leroy Hughes on March 8, 2023, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Tillson- burg, ON, on July 29, 1950, to the late Donald and Irene (McGregor) Hughes and was the loving husband of 27 years to his wife, Barbara (Jamieson) Hughes. Doug grew up watching and


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helping his parents with their Horse Riding Stable and developed a keen interest and love for horses. After he graduated high school, he went to school and received his certification as a Veterinary Technician where he took work doing animal blood test- ing on cattle. He then got a job working with Agricultural Employment Services working as a Livestock Specialist. 30 years ago, when he and Barb met, they bred a stallion and mare together and were successful in the breeding process and the results that followed with the foal, and they started Hughes Stock Farm in Brownsville, ON, just outside of Tillsonburg. There they both were so involved in breeding, conditioning, training and coaching horses and their owners. Doug always seemed to be able to read horses very well. People would come to him with a problem horse, and he was able to figure them out. He was an accomplished Farrier known by many. Doug was just a common-sense guy who would share his opinions about the best methods for raising and helping the animals. He always wanted horses to be treated with respect. He and Barb moved to NB for retirement to just outside St. Stephen, bringing with them three horses and two mules, before moving to his final home, just outside of St. Martins, NB. They had a good working marriage that was full of passion for the animals they


both respected. Doug was funny, he was strong and determined, and as the last four years really emphasized, he was resilient. Doug will be remembered always for his love of animals, his strength and his abili- ties. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. In addition to his wife, Barb, he is


survived by his daughter, Jackie (Steve) Hughes; his stepchildren, Trevor (Nicole) Poshtar and Cindy (Lorenzo) Quarin; his two grandsons and his 2 step granddaugh- ters; his brother, Gary (Mindy Jenkins) Hughes; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and so many friends. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Michael and his brother, Richard. Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy


Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424).


In keeping with Doug’s


wishes, no funeral services will take place. For those who wish, memorial donations made in Doug’s memory to any animal res- cue charity or to the charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by his family.


Visit our Website for More Info. & Pricing maxwellgardencenter.com


453897 Grey Road 2 Maxwell, Ont. 519 922-1479 / 1 844 564-0224


Dave Aitchison 519-942-6111 Julie Huppé 519-942-6688


“Love the animal first and the sport second”


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