Equine Physio? Lots of questions!

[BlueSky]

This has probably been brought up before, but I'm posting it anyway!

I'm thinking about a career in equine physiotherapy. I've got the impression there are several ways to train as one, though the only way I know is to train as a human physio first, then get the animal qualifications. What other ways are there, and are any more 'valued' (for want of a better word ATM!) than others?

Also, I've heard that there's quite a demand for equine physios - is this true?

An instructor at my yard who I talk to quite a lot has also suggested I get some teaching qualifications, at least to my PTT; this was backed up by the yard owner. My personal thoughts on this is as a good idea, because I do/would like to teach riding (a few friends who I have given 'mini' lessons to think I teach well, but let's not get big-headed here!), although I wouldn't want it as a full-time job.

I think what I'm trying to say is, even though I do respect the instructor and yard owner's experience and knowledge, I would still like a second (third, fourth, however many!) opinion!

And also (last questions now!) - what GCSEs (if any) would I need to take to study for equine physio? Is it possible to study without GCSEs; the reason for this being I am home-educated, and taking GCSEs would mean entering school/college - I am not averse to taking them if I have to, it's just easier not.

Whew! Sorry about the long post! I've been thinking about my career a lot lately, and I just needed to get it off my chest.

[vickie]

to be an equine physio you have to train as a human one first. as far as i know you have to work with people for 2 years first and then find a vet to train with to treat horses, i think you need your bhs stage 2 as well. they have been talking for a while about bringing out direct training but i don't think its been done yet. human physio is v.difficult to get into. they are usually around 30 applicants if not more for each place available :( but somebody else may know more

[maverick927]

Physio is a tough course to get into. firstly you need brilliant grades at A level.

You're allowed - AAB if you have studies two sciences
or - AAA if you have one science.

I recommend that your sciences are biolgy and chemistry.

At GCSE, try to take triple award science as you will go more in depth in some areas, which you will find helpful.

Having PE at GCSE is not that important, although the background information about muscles will help you alot.

Good luck if you want to be a physio. That is my aim at the moment. Queens doesn't do the course so I'm trying to keep my sites on the University of Ulster.

[BlueSky]

Hmm, I'm having second thoughts about physio! Anyone know anything about behaviour-related careers? i.e. psychology, etc.

[maverick927]

psychology is just as tough to get into, although the grades are not just quite so high. To get into Queens you only need BBB and you only need one science. Again triple sceince at GCSE is recommended.

Make sure you aim high. when you are in sixth form you will have to fill in UCAS forms, and for that you need a number of different options. Make sure that you first option is the course with the highest grades required for entry.

Your first aim now is to work really hard in your GCSEs, and then see how you go from there. I just recommend at least double award science to give yourself a good scienctific background.

[BlueSky]

What sort of career could I go into if I did psychology? What sort of money, hours etc? I really don't know much about it, even though horse behaviour does fascinate me.

[taffy]

human psychology is 11 years at uni so very hard work!!!!

Horse pyhsiotherapy looks very interesting. Im doing double science as they dont offer triple at my school. Will this affect my chances ?

[maverick927]

doing double science will not affect your chances as you are still able to do all the sciences to A level.

thanks to the AS levels, those results can be recorded on the UCAS forms.

[vickie]

human psychology is NOT 11years at uni :eek: the basic degree is only 3yrs same as most others. if you then want to go on to be a psychologist then you will have to do some further trainig, about 3yrs if i remeber correctly. with an ordinary psychology degree you can do anything from manage tescos to working in an office. very few people who do psyhology degrees become psychologists they just do a generic graduate job. if you are interested in equine behaviour then i think its bishop burton that does an equine behaviour and therapy degree.

oh and with regards to GCSES so long as you have a pass in maths and english and possibly science they matter very little in the long term

[BlueSky]

So, if I did an equine behavior and therapy degree, what sort of career could I go into with it? Is there much demand for equine behaviourists or whatever they're called!

[Lgd]

Human Physio first. You need A levels for this in the science field. Grades are different to Ireland where they do Highers - grades asked in UK are from A levels and are therefore much lower - I think currently around 3 C's. 3 year degree course with practice attachments then you can go on to train with an equine physio or do one of the recognised courses. There is a Masters degree for McTimoney Chiropracters one of the qualifications for entry onto that is a human physiotherapy degree

[vickie]

2 years ago when i was deciding what degree to do i looked at physio in the uk. i was told you required at least 2bs and an a in science subjects. teesside uni who i approached told me that they had on average 30 applicants for every place and some more desirable unis had a lot more applicants than that. they also said i would have to do 2yrs treating people before i could begin to train to treat animals.

[Esther.D]

Yep, physio is currently harder to get into in the uk than medicine! And consequently it requires very good grades - usually straight A's although not always....

And yes animal physios are in demand (as are human physios)

Good luck whatever you do.