Physiotherapy advice?

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Conrad

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Sep 11, 2001
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Although I only recently got into the horse scene I have always liked animals and living in the countryside. I earn pretty good money working in TV but I am bored of it. Although it is too late to become a vet I was wondering whether anyone knows if there is such a thing as equine physiotherapy and whether one can train in this field. If so how long does it take and is there a market for equine physiotherapists (or do vets do this work anyway).

Although it's a big leap I am serious about putting the effort into this and I am not concerned about a drop in income! I mention physiotherapy because I am interested in the skeletal and muscular anatomy of horses. However, perhaps some of you experienced horse folk can recommend what line of work a chap like me can realistically train for and find employment doing in the equestrian world.

Or should I just give-up and go back to the coke-snorting media world!?
 
im not 100% sure of courses etc but there is a demand for horse physiotherapists. My vet doesnt do this and most vets I know dont either! there is also things like accupuncture. i know a lot of people that use this on their horses. what about training to become a chiropractor? there fantastic! i get the guy up to my horse regulalry(sp?)! sorry to bable on. maybe you should contact the BHS and see if they can recommend anything!
 
Hello Conrad
I'm an acupuncturist who is qualified on humans, but want to practice on horses. BUT there is a problem with this, it is classed as an invasive therapy, so cannot be carried out by anyone other than a vet. If I were you, I would definately go for one of the manipulative therapies. Chiropractor is a good one and popular in the horse world and very effective. I want to practice shiatsu (massage based on energy points) on horses, but am having trouble finding a course... I will though, I'm determined to!!! You still have to have the vets permission to treat a horse, but they dont have to be present.
Good luck and let us know what you do... Katy:)
 
Hello Conrad
I'm an acupuncturist who is qualified on humans, but want to practice on horses. BUT there is a problem with this, it is classed as an invasive therapy, so cannot be carried out by anyone other than a vet. If I were you, I would definately go for one of the manipulative therapies. Chiropractor is a good one and popular in the horse world and very effective. I want to practice shiatsu (massage based on energy points) on horses, but am having trouble finding a course... I will though, I'm determined to!!! You still have to have the vets permission to treat a horse, but they dont have to be present.
Good luck and let us know what you do... Katy:)
 
There are two different sorts of Chiropractic. McTimony is one and I think that can be done by distance learning. Classic chiropractic requires doing a full time course over several years. The human chiropractor I use is a Doctor of Chiropractition and did a 5 year course at Bournemouth. She is the best chiropractitioner I know. I've seen a few McTimony practitioners in action on animals and humans and they vary enormously in their efficacy(she said tactfully - I know one who was downright dangerous as he treated someone with a cracked spine in a manner that did further damage). To do chiropractic manipulation on animals, you need to do a human course first, then a further course for animals.

The same is true for physiotherapy. You need to do the three year human course first, then a further year for animals. If you do go through the 4 year training though, a lot of specialist equine vet practices are now also employing physiotherapists, and the demand is likely to increase. You will get more business and have more credibility if you work alongside vets. Whatever you do in terms of manipulation, as Katy says, you need permision from the vet anyway. If you work independently then you will depend a lot on word of mouth, as one or two not-so-good manipulators in the UK have made the horse world rather suspicious and I would certainly not use anyone without seeing them in action first, and getting a good recommendation.

Whichever route you go, good luck. You are looking at a minimum of 4 years intensive training, but what a rewarding job at the end of it!
 
For more info on physio training go to www.csp.org.uk/physiotherapy/ukqualifying.cfm


To quote from the site-:
There is an increasing number of accelerated programmes, mostly at master's level, for those who already have a relevant undergraduate degree and wish to qualify as a physiotherapist. There are also a number of part-time programmes delivered over four years.

In England and Wales, funding is via a NHS Means-Tested Bursary. An application for a bursary is normally made through the relevant university physiotherapy department on your behalf once you have been offered a place. Students who are awarded bursaries also get their course fees paid and are eligible to apply for a Student Loan.

A Means-Tested bursary means that your income or that of your spouse/parents will be taken into account, and the amount of the grant will be reduced in proportion of that income.

Further information is available from:

England
NHS Student Grants Unit, Room 212c Government Buildings
Norcross
BLACKPOOL FY5 3TA
Tel: 01253 332 697
Fax: 01253 333256
 
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