“What kind of dance did you do?”

This question always makes me laugh, because: a) I’ve never taken a dance class and, b) the answer, “I grew up on a horse getting yelled at to keep my shoulders back,” is always surprising to the curious asker.

As a physiotherapist and equestrian, I understand now why “shoulders back” is more complicated than my teenage brain understood. It’s not just thoracic (ribcage) mobility or back strength.

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