Competitive riders face unique challenges that demand targeted physical therapy approaches.

When the 2016 Summer Olympic Games open in Rio de Janeiro this August, a subset of physical therapists (PTs) will be glued to the equestrian events rather than such headline-grabbing sports as swimming, gymnastics, basketball, and track and field. These clinicians know better than do most individuals the dangers of riding horses, the keys to preventing and treating injuries, and the satisfaction of overcoming hazards ranging from overuse to falls.

Some of these PTs have gained insights through the patients they've treated. Others also have ridden their own experiences to special acumen.