How do you become an equine physio?

[flintybaby]

Question in the title really.

I'd heard that you have to be a qualified human physio before you can work on horses but I dont really see how thats relevant? Surely its making you learn a whole load of extra muscles etc??

 

[Bay Mare]

I'm pretty sure that you have to qualify as a human physio first (my human physio's friend was also doing equine and that's what he had to do).

I don't know why they do it that way but I know that some people think that you often need to treat the human as well as the horse so you *need* to be able to work on both. I don't know the real explanation though

 

[showjumper-zoe]

Question in the title really.

I'd heard that you have to be a qualified human physio before you can work on horses

You do but you can train for horses while doing humans, you have to have a Biology A level.

 

[xox stace xox]

im glad ive seen this post at the start of college i had no idea what i wanted to aim towards, but i read into equine physios and yes you need to be qualified on humans first, didnt know the biology bit, but im glad ive taken A level Biology now tho lol

 

[poniesrule]

Hi i am going to study human physiotherapy in 2008.

I was told that you have to do the human physio degree 1st, then work on humans only for 2 years after that, at which point you may apply to study veterinary physiotherapy.

 

[flintybaby]

Ah I was thinking of maybe doing horse physio on the side but it sounds like a full time course to me! Think Ill stick to typing and teaching dancing as my day jobs!

 

[8-legged-pony]

Right,

You have to first do your 3 year BSc or 2 year MSc course in human physiotherapy. You then have to work on humans (and I believe in the NHS but could be wrong there) for 2 years before you can practice on animals. In your second year of working on humans I believe you can become a member of ACPAT (Assoc. of chartered physiotherapists in animal therapy). After your 2 years working with people, there are 2 methods of training in animal therapy:

1. There's a course at the Royal Veterinary College called Msc/Diploma Veterinary Physiotherapy http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Education/Postgraduate/MScVetPhysiotherapy/Index.cfm

2. You can train through ACPAT, details are on their website http://www.acpat.org/content/faqs/careers.aspx

 

[8-legged-pony]

Ah I was thinking of maybe doing horse physio on the side but it sounds like a full time course to me! Think Ill stick to typing and teaching dancing as my day jobs!

There are other horsey therapies such as equine massage which I believe you can do without going through quite as much training and education. Looking at something like that might be a better option for you!

 

[flintybaby]

Possibly. I just want to be able to massage my horses without paying others to do it really and when you've got 16 it does become a bit expensive!!

 

[Ginger Thing]

Yes you could do an equine massage course alongside your day job.

I did a diploma with ICAT (Institute of Complementary Animal Therapies) whilst working full time, website www.theicat.co.uk

Just had a look on your homepage, Flintybaby, and saw your comment about your Tommy - my Thomas IS named after Thomas the Tank Engine, the breeder's 3 yr old daughter chose it!

 

[flintybaby]

Just had a look on your homepage, Flintybaby, and saw your comment about your Tommy - my Thomas IS named after Thomas the Tank Engine, the breeder's 3 yr old daughter chose it!

He he I was about 4/5 when i chose his name. He's a real sweetie and so lovable!!

Thanks for the link BTW.