Training To Do Alternative Therapies?

[Holly B]

At the moment I am unsure which career path to take... I'm 16 and in year 11 (soon to do GCSEs) and next year will probably do Biology, Maths, Further Maths and Sports Science (PE). I was planning to be a vet but, after much thinking and two work experience placements, decided that it just toally wasn't for me. I was thinking of either farrier or equine massage therapist, but was wondering about how you get into the whole alternative therapies thing... Bowen/McTimoney/TTouch etc? I definitely want to work for myself, and work with horses. I would prefer not to go to uni as it just doesn't appeal to me- I would prefer an apprenticeship or training course type thing, though uni is still an option. Also, I would prefer not to have to qualify with humans first, but again, will do it if I have to. Oh, and I'm in England by the way. Also, GCSE qualifications etc aren't really an issue, I'm predicted all A's/A*'s. :)

[Bay Mare]

There's nothing to stop you from getting qualified in more than one thing, it can be expensive, though which is why I've not done any courses yet (wanting a complete career change). If you have more than one thing to offer then you're more likely to keep in full employment.

Some of the many options:

Bowen - for some courses you will need an anatomy and physiology qualification, for some you will need to do human bowen too, one course requires you to have BHS/ABRS or NVQ 2+ qualifications.

Reiki

Barefoot - there are different 'schools', personally I would do the KC La Pierre course but there others (Pete Ramey etc)

Osteo/Chiro/Physio - I believe that you have to qualify as a human therapist first which would mean a uni course

Recommended Associate - have a look at the Intelligent Horsemanship (http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk) website for more details

Enlightened Equitation teacher - see the Enlightened Equitation (http://www.enlightenedequitation.com) site

EDT - the training is better these days than when I wanted to do it (the length (2 weeks) and poor quality of training at that time put me off)

Massage - different courses available, I don't know much about them but others can help

Then you've got stuff like TTouch, clicker training etc

[Jenni]

there is a college that does animal therpay training. can think of the site though!
Give some therapist a call, tell them you are interested and they may let you shadow them for a day so you can see what the job involves.

I am starting my journey to become an Equine Sports Massage Therapist shortly. i am doing it via the ITEC courses. You have to do a ITEC in Human Anatomy, physiology and massage then you can do the equine sports massage course. Mary Bromiley is the onyl person that does the ITEC course in equine sports massage that i know of.

[jowyles]

My sister looked into a course it was 1 weekend a month for 2 years but cost £250 per weekend so no way could she afford it and no help is available to fun it, was in shiatzu or something like that in northants

[Jenni]

Institue of Complimentary Animal Therapies!! ICAT, they have a web site. quite pricey though.

[Holly B]

Thanks for th help guys... is it possible to qualify only in barefoot trimming without becoming an actual farrier, does anyone know? I would love that as I am a fan of barefoot myself. :)

[Jenni]

yes you can become a Equine Podiatrist without having to go do a farriery course.

I think it is a case of a few weekends and home study stuff. I think someone on another site looked into it and it costs around £3000 to do the course. i will have a look for you to see if i can get the thread.

[Ross]

Thanks for th help guys... is it possible to qualify only in barefoot trimming without becoming an actual farrier, does anyone know? I would love that as I am a fan of barefoot myself. :)

Be a bit careful about this - you need to look at how much demand there would be for your services...

Ross