Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com

Female

Kemptville (Ottawa area)

Canada

Profile Information:

A Bit About Me and my Horse(s)
I'm a rider (started about 30 years ago). My main discipline is classical dressage, but as my horse will tell you- we also love galloping and jumping cross country or popping over a few fences for fun. I've fox hunted, done a horse trial, played ppg, taken polo lessons, so all of that experience factors in to the work I now do as a personal trainer & specialist in fitness for equestrians. I own EquiFITT.com Fitness & Sport Conditioning, specializing in fitness for equestrians, based in Kemptville. I started the Ride Fit 1-2-3 blog (originally Ride Better 1-2-3) at the invitation of Barnmice as a way of sharing knowledge.
You can get free rider fitness articles articles and subscribe for free to monthly Fittips by emailing me directly or going to the Equifitt.com website. Email: personaltraining@equifitt.com
Country
Canada
Website:
http://www.equifitt.com
Do you have any pets?
horses, dog, cat, finches

Comment Wall:

  • Kevin Honsberger

    Heather it would be great to connect and share some ideas. Let me know when you are heading to the Toronto area and lets definitely stay in touch
  • Nora Robinson

    yes ....my little pony is an Arab.

    I'll look forward to your upcoming exercises, especially some simple back and tummy strengheners! I'm feeling pretty un-flexible and a little scared to go for any major movements right now.
  • Lucy

    I did notice that you have a bootcamp out Kemptville way and it made me wish I was a little closer. It would be nice to have something geared to equestrians. How do I go about getting on the subscription list>
  • Anni

    Hi Heather, I'd definitely like to sign up. How do I do that?
  • Andrea Menzel

    Hi Heather,
    Thank you so very much for your in depth comments. They were all extremely informative and I am trying to keep the information in mind while I am riding. I would be happy to submit my photos for you article on leg lengthening, as long as it won't highlight the problem for my show season this summer....in other words, please be gentle! When the article is being published, would you mind letting me know as I am looking for as much information as possible for my leg position. Recommended exercises are also eagerly awaited! Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my photos.
    Andrea
  • Andrea Menzel

    Hi Heather,
    I would be very interested in the "fittips" each month. I will email you there and leave my personal email address. Thanks so much again for your help.
    Andrea
  • Claire Sutherland

    Hi Heather.
    I am not sure if this would be the correct spot to ask for this advice or if it is ok to do so. But my question is....I am just attempting to start riding after a bad car accident over 2 years ago....Dec 1 2006. Severe whiplash, injuries to my neck and back. My horses are very green so I started out riding once a month on a friends to build up some strength. I was able to work up to once a week. But, had to stop in November due to pain and want to re-start again. Can you suggest anything to help me build some strength.....my goal is to get on my horses this year, hopefully have one of them in the show ring (hack class) even if only once.....

    Before my accident, I was riding at least an hour a day. I had was working with my colt consistantly (now a gelding) 6 years old, and a pasture ornament. Prior to that I had been riding since I was 13.......have ridden competitively and quite a bit. I am now 44. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  • Jen B

    Hi Heather!
    Thanks for the offer. I did see your post on my discussion and have been trying to figure out how to get someone to take a picture (there isn't usually anyone around when I am in the arena). I'll try again today. If not successful I'll send in more detail.
  • Chantal Green

    thank you sooo much for that story that was great.
  • Lynne Wiser

    Oh yes that would be wonderful! I am sure I can come up with some questions as well....glad to be here!
  • Kelsey Reid

    You can keep the Quote Heather.
  • Barbara Ellin Fox

    Hi Heather,
    A twitch of the finger and the post I was composing to you disappeared! I was telling you about my lovely Arab mare, Arosa who has really changed peoples' minds about Arabians. She's 28 now and arthritic but is one of those horses that you wish would never get old. I love the Arabs and the TBs. I guess I've always enjoyed the self propelled breeds!

    I'm not sure if this is where you want questions posted. I'll look a little farther to see if there is a better place. If I don't find one I'll come back to post in comments. Thanks for offering answers and thanks also for being so encouraging.
  • Barbara Ellin Fox

    Hi Heather,
    I'm sorry I waited so long to respond but I actually was being productive. I was very encouraged by your comments soooo I asked my daughter to photograph me- something no one has been permitted to do in about 10 years because I have gained so much weight. Anyway it took awhile to get the photos and then to get them to my computer. The photos were revealing to say the least and brought up some issues. Is it too late to send them to you?
  • Barbara Ellin Fox

    Hi Heather,
    oops, I just posted everything to the comments from last week when you helped with my problems. I hope you can find them. I had to really "suck it up" to let the world see me.
    Tell me more about online coaching, please
  • Barbara Ellin Fox

    Hi Heather,
    Thank you so much for your help. I'm going to work on all of your suggestions for the summer and maybe by fall I can send you some photos of the new improved me. The only thing I won't be able to do is yoga. Is there an alternative idea?
    I don't think I care too much if you use the photos as long as when I send the improved photos you include them for back up! I'm really very paranoid about how I look.
    My saddle is a Stubben Roxanne all purpose type. I rode for several years in my dressage saddle (Passier Nicole) and kept making my stirrups longer (and comfortable) until one day I was not able to ride any other way. So I have been on a mission to shorten my stirrups and get my leg together again. I want to be able to ride well in both saddles. I was able to get too comfortable and too unfit in the dressage saddle.
    We will be moving this fall to the midwest. A clinic would be great after we get reestablished there. I won't forget. And I have a slew of friends where we are headed who fall into my age category.
    The advice and encouragement regarding age for those of us who are having to face the age thing, is really invaluable. We are constantly bombarded with "can't" and the retirement mind set. I bet there are a lot of us out there. My mind says that riding is one of the few sports I'd ought to be able to continue into my 80s, now my body needs to shake off poor thinking and catch up.
    Thanks again
  • Jane Savoie

    Hi Heather,
    I just sent an email to y webmaster to add your link. See you this weekend!
    Jane
  • Jane Savoie

    Hi Heather,
    Can you send it to my webmaster? I'm not computer savvy enough to do it. Her name is Terri and she's at: terri.romine@1netmarketingservice.com
    Thanks!
    Jane
  • Leslie MacDonald

    Hi Heather--thanks for responding! I have not yet had a chance to look at the blog post but will do so shortly. I would love to let you use the photos, but I did not take the video so unfortunately I do not have the rights to them. However, I am hoping this weekend to coerce my trainer into taking some more photos so I can compare where I'm at now with where I'm at then. If you'd like I can send them to you so you can see if they'd be helpful. I don't mind in the least that you use them, I just unfortunately don't own the ones I posted.

    Thanks,
    Leslie
  • Julie

    having major navigation problems - can't get back to the video now!
  • Julie

    Ah - is that how it works, will do as teach a lot and have a huge interest in bodies, and mine is not working too well just now. Thanks Heather!