Kylie Bonthrone
BSc (Hons). PGDipVPhys. MIAAT, Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist
Kylie offers assessment, treatment and exercise rehabilitation of human and equine athletes.
Kylie had 4 years of professional Equine related training in the UK, three of them spent at Hartpury College, and is now focused on hands-on soft tissue treatment of musculoskeletal problems in horses. She is a certified Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist and Level 1 Neurokinetic Therapist enabling her to focus on Rider assessment and treatment to compliment her Equine work.
While at Hartpury, Kylie conducted her research project on Kinesio taping for horses alongside London Olympic physiotherapist Lee Clarke, and went on to present it at the Alltech conference 2014.
She has previously been the resident High Performance Equine Physiotherapist for Swanson Racing in Zimbabwe, and they enjoyed much success together while Kirk was training horses. She has travelled to Johannesburg for the National 2YO sales to assist with acquisition of youngstock on several occasions.
In 2016, Kylie directed the first ever Pan African Symposium aimed at bringing equine expertise to Africa in preparation for Rio! One short week later, she left Zimbawbe to travel to the USA where she worked as an Equine Physiotherapist for a 3 time Champion Trainer at his Thoroughbred Training Facility on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. She was responsible for creating prehab and rehab programmes for the horses in preparation for the demands of the sport, while working closely with Veterinarians and other professionals offering cutting edge technologies. With the benefit of having great facilities, she was able to incorporate a holistic approach, regularly working with a Class IV laser, vibrating platform, ECB Equine Spa and Salt Room (Halo therapy).
Another career highlight for Kylie was working as the Equine Physio for the New Zealand Barbarians Polocrosse Team on their Zimbabwe Tour where they played 3 International Test matches. Here she was responsible for pre- and post-game treatment and massage of the NZ team horses.
Her work has taken her far and wide treating horses and riders from High Performance backgrounds, including International Dressage, Showjumping and Event riders from Great Britain, South Africa and Zimbabwe
In 2018 she worked with England Ladies Polo Player Hazel Jackson supporting her ponies during the UK 2018 season. She also returned home to work with Swanson racing for the Republic Cup where after an 8 year dry spell, the team won Zimbabwe's Richest horse race! She is now home to stay!
"This young lady has the touch"
~Kim Reiche~
NZ Barbarians Team Manager
