1 | Page Horse & Rider Perfecting Performance

2 | Page Table of Content Nutritional The Occasions for Mas

3 | Page About Horse & Rider is a system providing proven methods for the enhancement of the health, well - being and performance of horse and rider. The relationship between horse and rider is one of respect, communication and synergy. In order to experience an optimal level of riding performance, the team must be in tune in o rder to work together in the fullest sense. The Rider: The body must be in a good state of health and balanced. The mind: sharp, focused and calm. The Horse: A conditioned athlete. Our unique individualized assessment and customized approach has one goal in mind. GOAL: To meet the needs and expectations of the human and equine athlete and to provide the necessary education and tools to train smarter and perform better.

4 | Page Posture Screening The ability to hold upright and remained balanced at all times is critical for optimal rider control and horse performance. An analysis of standing posture and gait is used as a guide in creating custom - designed therapy programs. The analysis involves th e assessment of the skeletal geometry and the soft tissue creating or maintaining the posture. Based on the assessment, a program will be developed to help resolve the undesirable element of the pattern.

5 | Page Fitness Training & Yoga Understanding and training the muscles we use for riding can greatly improve our overall riding skill and body awareness. Personalized and group fitness programs focus upon developing a greater sense of correct posture, balance, muscle strength, stamina and flexibility. All programs are designed for specific disciplines.

6 | Page Nutritional Counseling Good nutrition is the foundation for good health and food serves as fuel for our bodies. On a daily basis, the food choices we make has a direct impact upon our physical and mental performance. Our nutritional programs offer a common sense approach to nu trition for day to day eating, training and competing. An Equestrian's nutritional needs are not limited to, but include: staying lean and energized as well as maintenance of mental clarity and focus.

7 | Page Massage Therapy for the Rider Horseback riding involves the participation of many muscles, tendons and ligaments. When a horse engages in movement, a rider's muscles and connective tissues are constantly contracting and relaxing in order to maintain a sense of balance. Sore and stiff muscles can cause balance and postural problems, interfering with the fluidity of riding, and can transfer to the horse. Massage offers the benefits of relaxing the mind and relieving tension and soreness stored in the muscular system, thus, impr ove balance in the saddle. Massage therapy as well as stretching prepare the rider for competition by creating a loose, relaxed body while calming the mind for a greater sense of focus. A flexible rider is in tune with the horse and this ultimately carries through into their performance. Massage sessions customized for the rider are an important part of training, eventing as well as recovery and relaxation of the rider.

8 | Page Equine Massage Sports Massage is a method used to prepare an athlete for peak performance. It is used to warm tissue prior to engaging in exercise and to help alleviate the stress and tension built - up in swelling, muscle tension, it promotes flexi bility and aids in the prevention of injuries. Prevention and care for the musculoskeletal system is widely used by human athletes, and today is widely accepted as part of Sports massage was designed be used in con trast to physical therapy - aiding in the prevention of injury in the first place. 60% of a horse s total body weight is muscle. The muscular system is responsible for movement. Speed and precise movement is dependent upon strength and agility. Rapid movements and quick changes of direction require the muscular system to be flexible. Conditioned and agility of the muscular system impacts the horse s ability to maneuver and engage in explosive movements. In motion the horse employs a number of basic athletic movements. Each move produces stress upon a specific point. Each of these points when overstressed will produce a specific problem. Spasm or tight muscles are shortened muscle fibers. The problem may not be apparent right away; in fact it may t ake

9 | Page months for excess tension to become apparent. Continued use of the fibers that have already been shortened will continue to shorten, adding further restriction and lack of ability to stretch to full length or to release entirely. Thus, interfering wit h the range of motion of the muscle and the aggravated tissue will add more fibers eventually affecting the surrounding muscle groups. Elasticity of muscles, tendons & ligaments allow for peak performance quick movements & precise timing Muscle 90% fle xibility + Tendon 10% flexibility = 100%

10 | Page Occasions for Massage Pre - event - Prepares muscles and joints for movement. Maximal muscle power output during leg extension by 11% Post - event Aids in the cool down process and reduces subsequently muscle soreness by rapidly reducing the concentration of lactate in the muscle cells. Massage & Stretches provide the most benefit when preformed 1 - 3 hours after exercise. Maintenance Muscle fatigue, tightness and soreness are increased between training phases . Massage throughout this period of transition may help the problem.

11 | Page Physiological Effects of Massage Increases Blood Flow - Massage for 10 minutes increased blood volume for 40 minutes and lowered blood pressure Removal of Metabolic Waste - Increase of blood flow stimulates the removal of waste Improves Performance of Fatigued Muscles - Stimulation blood flow and the release of toxins, heating effects of massage increase muscle and ligament extensibility Lymphatic Drainage - the effect o f massage upon lymph flow has been measured experimentally. Intradermal dye injections have been used to show lymph flow improvement Psychological Benefits & Improved Disposition A 16% increase in plasma endorphin concentration after massage Pain Relief - Massage is an effective trigger for the pain - gate process and produces a heating effect. Mild heating is effective in relieving pain, muscle spasms and tension Injury Rehabilitation - Aids in the control of the inflammatory process and helps and/or inhibits the formation of scar tissue Enhances muscle tone and increases range of motion - mechanically stimulates inherent reflexes in the muscles Joint Care reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints and increases the production of synovial fluid

12 | Page Research on Massage Therapy & Stretching A study was conducted on the effectiveness of sports massage and to help determine what changes may occur in the range of motion. Horse athletes, were used as the test subjects. Horses have the same muscles, muscle tendons, units, bones and most of the dynamics of movement are the same as humans. The use of horses for the study allowed for the results to be perceived as real and not just psychological. The horses used in the study were the same breed , approximate size and age. Results: There was an increase in the belly of the muscle and junction of tendon after sports massage techniques were applied. Ultrasonic imaging captured the changes in ROM pre and post sports massage. Upon the completion of data collection and analysis, there was an increase in stride length and a corresponding decrease in stride frequency. A decrease in stride frequency over distance indicated walk distance was decreased by 4.6% and the trot stride frequency decreased by 1 .4%. The stride length at walk was increased by 3.6% or 4.8 inches. Stride length at the trot was increased by 1.2% or 1.7 inches. Muscle tendon and muscle belly diameters increased by an average of 14 % and 18%. Conclusion: The sports massage techniq ues generated measurable changes in the anatomical and/or fluid status of muscle tissue and coincident improvements in gait dynamics, such as an increase in length of stride. Proving to be beneficial for both athletic performance and general function. Te xtbook of Orthopedic Medicine, Vol. II.

13 | Page Massage Therapy Attenuates Inflammatory Signaling After Exercise - Induced Muscle Damage Massage is a popular treatment both for its putative healing properties and because it feels good but is not among the usual to ols of physicians. To validate its usefulness and understand how massage affects muscles in biomedical terms, Crane and his colleagues have documented the biological changes that massage evokes in the leg muscles of 11 young men who had just pushed themsel ves to exhaustion with heavy exercise. The exercise itself caused massive changes in gene expression, but after 10 min of massage, signaling pathways responsive to mechanical stresses were activated. Massage reduced signs of inflammation, and massaged musc le cells were better able to make new mitochondria promoting faster recovery from exercise - induced muscle damage. - Justin D. Crane, Science Translational Medicine Sports massage is recognized for enhancing a horse s athletic performance by 20%

14 | Page Clinics Clinics are customized in the interest and needs of participants and practicing discipline. Examples of per - fabricated clinics: Preparing for the Show Season Gaining the Competitive Edge through Equine Massage Understanding the Equine Muscular System, Movement & Performance The Benefits of Massage for Horse & Rider The Refined Rider: Exploring Balance On & Off the Saddle Equestrian Fitness Training - Find Strength in Balance Exploring Your Nutritional Needs

15 | Page Jenna Williams Jenna Williams, has been practitioner of the healing arts of massage therapy, nutritional counseling, yoga and personal training for over thirteen years. Her passion lies in providing individuals and teams with the necessary education and tools to enhance thei r health and performance goals. Experience Jenna has extensive experience in creating and leading successful health enhancing/preventative care programs. She works in collaboration with Physicians, Veterinarians and other Health Care Professionals. Jenna s professional history includes: designing health programs for organizations, director of wellness facilities, the owner of a multi - faceted wellness company and her current company: Horse & Rider. Nutritional and wellness programs vary from: Healthy work environments for corporations Weight loss programs Athletic enhancing programs for horses & humans Customized, personal lifestyle enhancement programs Counseling for a gastric bypass support group Speaker for American Cancer Society; along with other r espected organizations Writer on health related topics

16 | Page Director of a wellness program for a world renowned medical clinic Conducting clinics and speaker for equestrian organizations and teams Services offered at a variety of equestrian events including na tional events Refining her practice to the primary focus of athletes, Jenna has gained much respect within the athletic community attracting athletes of all levels and equine athletes of all disciplines. Merging her knowledge of the equus athlete and holis tic therapies for humans, she developed a system focusing exclusively on the horse and rider. The goal: To strengthen the bond, assist in their teamwork, performance and well - being