In the last couple of years I have been changing my views on self-care. In the past I never made time for it and it was of no concern to me.
In 2020 I had some falls that never got checked out by a health professional. In 2021 that led me to having such a such a sore stiff back that I could not stand up straight. I was in agony.
I finally began to see a chiropractor.
Beginning with chiropractic care, I noticed a lot of things changing. My moods. My anxiety. My pain levels.
More recently I began to go for massages on a semi-regular basis. What began as a little self-indulgence led to going to continue my journey to become a better rider and healthier person. I visit every 6-8 weeks on average and my massage therapist helps to loosen my tough areas. I see the same person so he knows where I started versus how I’m doing now. Every visit I get better and better. During our last appointment we spent 90 minutes working on just my shoulders, hips, and SI (with a little time on my forearms, which are always super tight).
In November of 2024 and again in 2025 I had the amazing opportunity to work with Jennifer Mitchell of Atlantic Physical Therapy. She is the physical therapist to the US Equestrian Team! She analyzes your riding and finds your trouble areas. After loosening you up on the table you ride again to note the improvements. You leave your session with homework…a series of exercises to help target your trouble areas.
While I was reading Stable Core Training (Book Review Here), I also felt incredibly inspired to reach out to the author Joyce Kramer. Joyce Operates in Vermont but offers video assessments and Zoom calls to those who cannot travel to her regularly (https://www.sct4riders.com/). In December 2025 we began meeting via Zoom and WOW. I am amazed by the very tiny…miniscule…things this woman can spot over a video.
Both Joyce and Jennifer picked up on the same imbalances, and both have given me some great exercises that I add to my regular day. I add these exercises when I get up in the morning, before bed, brushing my teeth, at work. They are simple movements that pay off big when I pepper them into my day here and there.
On my recent video session with Joyce we noted a disturbing anomaly that I struggled to activate and find my multifidus muscle…a deep core muscle in my lower back. We stepped back and used a few other movements that had me barely moving but we were able to awaken and find that muscle! The next day…despite not having broken a sweat I was deliciously sore in my transverse abdominus and multifidus muscles. Not super sore but I knew where they were and it felt great.
So here I am in 2026.
- Down 30 pounds From This Time Last Year
- Chiropractor every 2 weeks
- Massage 6-8 weeks
- Physical Therapist 2x/year
- Physical Trainer 1x/month
In addition to these important sessions I am getting back into hot yoga. I enjoy Bikram Hot Yoga; it’s difficult but I get a lot out of it.
I also am obsessed with spinning; I can get a full body workout on the spin bike and I have a lot of fun using the music to fuel me.
As a result of me investing in my own health I have noted a huge difference in my riding. Stanley and I are still finding our stride as we bring him back but I feel more balanced, more stable, and I feel more confident even if he gets quick.
Example: Joyce was working me through my hip mobility a few weeks ago. On a ball I had to move my left hip forward while I moved my shoulders around a figurative “20 meter circle.” The next day I rode and I did the same hip/shoulder motion and suddenly Stanley offered more bend and suppleness that I’ve been getting in months.
Tada! It was like the lights turned on
Investing in yourself is not cheap. It takes time and it takes money. It takes a dedication.
If it helps move the dial in your favor…your horse will thank you. Stanley gets regular bodywork as well. He has a chiropractor/acupuncturist and a bodyworker (massage/red-light/e-stim/ultrasound). Ironically, at our last appointment his bodyworker noted soreness from his right groin to his left shoulder….the diagonal concept. Within the same week I went for my own massage….my right hip and left shoulder were stiffer than the other diagonal.
Our horses feel our imbalances every time we step into the stirrup irons. I can’t say for certain who caused the other’s imbalance, but it doesn’t matter. Focusing on one (the horse) and not the other (the rider) doesn’t make sense.
So for the good of the horse….take care of yourself.
How do you invest in yourself? What does self-care look like to you? What benefits have you found in your riding as a result?
The Green Horseman 
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