Diplomerad Hästfysioterapeut

Course outline

1. Introduction

The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the basic tenets of therapy, will gain awareness of the roles and duties of a physical therapist or body worker with horses and show an awareness of their roles within teams. The student will demonstrate an awareness of the laws in their region (and beyond) relating to the work of an equine physical therapist or bady worker Basic tenets of therapy .

• Do no harm

• Therapy provides the best possible environment within the limitations of reality to promote and individuals development to or maintenance of their full potential

• What we do and do not do as physiotherapists

• Setting up you business and possible models

• Horses and their job roles, beginning to think about the strains on the body from the obvious to the hidden

 

2. Basic biology

The student will be able to demonstrate an awareness through written and spoken examination of the anatomy and physiology of the horse and its relation to function

• Cytology Systems including, cardiovascular, alimentary, skeletal, muscular, nerve, llymphatic, fascial and the skin

• The horse - Points, anatomy, physiology

 

3. The horse, a brief history of time

The student will be able to demonstrate through written and verbal examination knowledge of the historical evolution of the horse from a prehistoric browser to todays performance animal with a demonstration of awareness of the biological and physiological stresses created through breeding as well as the psychological stresses and adaptions to a relatively captive life

• The development of the horse from prehistoric past with anatomical and behavioural insights into todays horse, with a discussion of the types of equids and their respective qualities and adaptations

• The precepts for living in a herd

• The adaptation of the form and structure through selective breeding

• Selecting a horse for a job; how to look at conformation

 

4. Horse handling for therapy and therapeutic exercises

The student will demonstrate through written examination and practical exercises, an awareness of the horse as a prey species, how to approach, catch, lead and handle a horse for therapeutic work, with an obvious awareness of the safety of the student, others around and the horse themselves

• The horse as a prey species

• Being safe but being kind, what to wear, how to relate, when to back off

• Handling for free movement

• Your rights and the horse’s rights in the interaction

• Energy and energy management

• How to hold a horse, lead a horse, lunge a horse

• How to handle your owner or trainer

• Where not to work

 

5. Assessment

The student will demonstrate knowledge through written and practical examination of how to analyse and record and assessment of the form, functional movement of the horse and prepare targeted goal setting documents

• Analysis of the body

• Analysis of the movement

• Analysis of forces; e.g. rider, cart, terrain, speed, shoe and shoeing, the skeletal care of the barefoot horse

• Reading assessments from other modalities, xray and thermography

• Creating and using your own assessment forms

• Computer and phone apps for assessments

• Setting goals from your assessment, including the interaction with the owner, trainer, rider, driver, hoof professional, veterinarian

 

6. Feeding & nutrition

The student will demonstrate knowledge through written examination and practical (identification)of food and nutrition and its impact on performance including additives and supplements that can help or hinder

• Calculating ration for work and condition

• Awareness of extras that may not be mentioned, learning to ask

• Interaction of food on muscles (colic, azotorea and other illnesses that can present as muscular but are nutritional in origin)

 

7. Basic first aid

The student will demonstrate through written and practical examination a knowledge of basic first aid for the horse. This will include the response to open wound, puncture injury, hoof abscess, eye injury, potential broken bone, sprain injury and a demonstrable awareness of handling a situation including the human aspect until the vet or hoof care professional arrives

• Advising owners until the vet gets there.

• Cuts Brakes Signs of colic Signs of laminitis (fång)

• Bandaging Supporting Poulticing

 

8. The foot

The student will demonstrate through written and practical examination, knowledge of the structures, functional anatomy and correct care of the hoof both for a barefoot and shod horse with a clear awareness of how the balance of hoof and foot impact ligament, tendon and muscle and affect the quality of the horse in motion

• Basic awareness of the horse’s foot and its function, anatomy and physiology

• Barefoot horse considerations for going barefoot and maintenance of the structures

• The shod horse – looking at balance

• Working with the farrier or hoofcare professional

 

9. Therapy modalities

Part 1

The student will demonstrate through written and practical examination knowledge of the manual techniques used by the equine physical therapist or equine body worker

• Our hands; massage, fascial release, active and passive stretching, manipulations

• Brief introduction to taping and supports

• Energy work in brief, using vibroharmonisation and energetic therapy with horses

 

Part 2.

The student will demonstrate by written and practical examination knowledge of the theory and practical application of a range of physiotherapy machines and an understanding of the need for further training in the wider use of these machines

• Machines; the physics of sound and light.

• Introduction to the safe use of each machine with a caveat and understanding of the need for further training and reading

• Pulsed Electromagnetic field therapy Blue, red and infrared light therapy

• Using warm lamps Using thermotherapy Cold (class 3 laser with a discussion of why class 3 at this stage)

• Ultrasound, long and short wave and how to calculate and calibrate for different areas and jobs

• TENS NMES Deep wave massage Shock wave therapy

 

Part 3.

The student will demonstrate through written and practical examination (written visit reports) the knowledge of other therapeutic modalities Therapeutic exercise programmes and creating a therapeutic environment

• Other therapeutic modalities, horse walker, horse treadmill, water treadmill, swimming,

 

10.Philosophy and theory of therapy

The student will demonstrate through written and practical examination (production of forms and reports which clearly demonstrate this awareness) the knowledge of the philosophy and theory of therapy as well as the extent and limitations of their role within the veterinary, training or maintenance team around the horse

• Basic tenets of therapy revisited

• Do no harm

• Therapy provides the best possible environment within the limitations of reality to promote and individuals development to or maintenance of their full potential

• Scope, prohibitions, working in the veterinary team, working in the competitive team, working with non-competitive owners, risk assessment, forms and protocols including therapeutic notes, continuing professional development and the role of peer support

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