Few animals are as athletic as horses, especially race horses and show horses. The strain of physical activity often results in muscular or other physical problems. An equine rehabilitation therapist diagnoses and treats these ailments using technology, muscle massage and other rehabilitation methods.
Because equine rehabilitation therapy is a relatively new profession, it is considered to be a growing field. Employment opportunities are available at horse farms, racetracks or stables, and some equine therapists go into business as independent contractors.
While there is no hard salary data for equine rehabilitation therapists, the field is similar in training and certification to that of physical therapy.
An equine rehabilitation therapist works with veterinarians, trainers, farriers and owners in order to reach a common goal of healing the horse from illness or physical distress without the need for surgical intervention.
After evaluating the animal, equine rehabilitation therapists use a variety of healing modalities in order to help the horse to fully recover from musculature, nervous system and joint ailments. Healing modalities used by equine therapists include:
- Neuro-muscular exercise training
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Hot and cold manual therapies
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Electrical stimulation
Massage therapies are used to decrease pain and increase circulation, while exercise programs are deployed in order to improve the horse's range of motion and core stability, along with enhancing tendon and ligament recovery. The rider is also evaluated, to determine if the horse's movement pattern is adversely affected by the rider.
Because equine rehabilitation therapy is a very new profession, few schools offer a certification program. Some colleges offer bachelor's degrees in equine studies, which traditionally concentrate on animal management and other applications. Rarely, a program will offer a focus on equine rehabilitation; however, none of them offer a licensed professional degree.
Aspiring equine rehabilitation therapists may find a multi-tiered educational approach to be the best preparation for a career in this burgeoning field.
A four-year degree program in veterinary technology prepares graduates to work with veterinarians dealing with large animals, and also to move forward to a physical therapy program. Core courses include animal physiology, comparative anatomy, diagnostic procedures and large animal clinical procedures.
Advanced courses such as large animal management, equine care, emergency care and advanced pathology techniques prepare students for clerkships that may specialize in areas such as equine medicine and surgery.
Physical therapy programs at the undergraduate level usually last six years, or can be taken as a transfer major after earning a degree in another concentration.
Early studies concentrate of anatomy, neurology, orthopedics and patient management. Advanced courses focus on practical knowledge application in issues such as tissue trauma, manual
Schools that offer an equine rehabilitation certification program begin by reviewing regulatory issues, equine anatomy, gait analysis, lameness evaluation and neurological issues.
Remedies such as heating and cooling therapies, ultrasound and shock wave therapies and pain relief options are explored. Further courses focus on medical or surgical options, joint or ligament therapy, neurological evaluation and rehab program implementation. Measuring response to injury is an advanced practice, along with investigating various case studies for analysis.
As horse owners become more aware of the benefits of equine rehabilitation therapy, the call for more practitioners is sure to grow.