Female Health
Equestrian sport is widely known – and appreciated – for offering male and female athletes an equal playing field on which to compete. However, being a female equestrian does come with some unique challenges, regardless of the level you participate in – whether that’s planning your riding around your periods, finding the right sports bra to make sitting trot bearable, or the impact of pregnancy on your time in the saddle.
On this page we share podcast episodes, infographics and advice on a range of female health topics that can effect equestrians, both in the saddle and in their daily lives.
| Topics |
|---|
| Hormones and the menstrual cycle |
| Breast health and bra fit |
| Pregnancy and pelvic floor |
| Nutrition and body image |
Introduction
Podcast episode – Why female health?
In this episode, we're talking about the menopause and perimenopause. Following up on the outcry for more information on our social media channels, Rachel brings together Ash Wallace from British Equestrian's World Class Programme and coach Mia Palles-Clark for a deep dive into what this period of life means, plus some of the game-changing lifestyle strategies you can adopt to support your body and maintain your enjoyment of equestrian sport.
The Menstrual Cycle and menopause
Downloadable graphics
Podcast episode – menopause and perimenopause
Useful links
REcommended reading and watching
- 'The Female Body Bible' by Dr Emma Ross, Baz Moffat and Dr Bella Smith
- 'Next Level' by Dr Stacy Sims
- Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause
Menstruation cycle tracker apps
Menopause App
podcast episode – The Early Years
Listen to a discussion on the turbulent changes that take place in the early years of a young girl’s life. Rachel is joined by three experts from the World Class Programme – sports psychologist Dr Jo Butt, strength and conditioning coach Neil Lewis and eventing coach Christie Wright – to find out more about how the mental and physical transition from child to teenager can lay the foundations for future enjoyment and success in equestrian sport.
Guidance on coaching young persons
Breast Health
Podcast episode – Breast Health
The big topic is breast health and what you can do to ensure you’re giving your breasts the best support possible. Rachel is joined by Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon from the World Class Programme to talk about how you can check your breasts for signs of ill-health and the lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk of a problem. Spoiler alert... riding and being around horses is one of them!
Guide to checking your breasts
Downloadable graphics
USEFUL RESOURCES for breast health
Useful resources for bra fitting
pelvic health and pregnancy
Podcast Episode – Pelvic health and pregnancy
Pelvic health is one of those topics that many of us feel uncomfortable discussing, but it's important to know a bit about what's going on down there so you can ensure you're confident and comfortable in daily life. In this episode of our Female Health February podcast series, Rachel catches up with Ros Cooke from the World Class Programme to find out more about pelvic health and pelvic floor function, including the steps you can take to ensure this important muscle network is able to function at its best. Conversation then turns to pregnancy, the impact this can have on your time in the saddle and the process of returning to riding once you're ready.
Useful resources for pelvic health
Useful resources for pregnancy
Nutrition and Body image
Podcast Episode – Nutrition and body image
One of our final topic is nutrition and body image. Rachel is joined by Dr George Wilson, Leonie Lightfoot and Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon from the World Class Programme to find out more about what makes a healthy diet and the best snacks to fuel your day at the yard. Plus, conversation turns to the thorny issue of eating disorders and how we perceive our bodies.