A horse with body paint showing its muscles being held by a rider while a lecturer explains
BSc (Hons)

Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Qualify as an equine sports massage therapist to support the overall wellbeing and performance of horses.

Our BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation degree focuses on the structure and function of the horse, relating that to how horses move and how natural gait may change when areas of tension are seen in the musculature.

It also explores how a team of professionals – including veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters, dentists and trainers – can work together to enhance and optimise horses' wellbeing, body balance and performance.

As a student at ARU in Writtle you’ll be based in the Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too: find out more about our DIY Livery Yard.

Our course is accredited by the Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR), and prepares you to provide health services that protect animal welfare, as well as the interests of owners and referring professionals, such as veterinary surgeons.

As a graduate, you’ll be ready to work in an exciting and evolving part of the equine industry.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Accreditation Our 3-year degree course is accredited by the Animal Health Professions Register (AHPR). As a graduate, you'll be able to apply for membership of the Register.
Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR) logo
Why ARU?

  • Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study

  • Join our Equine Academy, which supports talented competition riders and provides coaching from UKCC-qualified coaches

  • Students regularly present their research findings at conferences in the UK and internationally

  • Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding

  • Our course is accredited by the Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR), and prepares you to provide health services that protect animal welfare

Course options

You can choose to study this course full-time, or part-time over six years. Apply via UCAS for full-time courses (UK students) or directly to us (part-time and international students).

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Equine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
  • Equine Practical Skills (15 credits)
  • Equine Health Management (15 credits)
  • Assessment for Performance and Health (15 credits)
  • Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Equine Therapy (15 credits)
  • Saddle Fit and Farriery (15 credits)
  • Functional Anatomy (15 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Business Skills (15 credits)
  • Animal Therapeutic Techniques (15 credits)
  • Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Animal Biomechanics (15 credits)
  • Rehabilitation and Performance (15 credits)
  • Equine Health and Disease (15 credits)
  • Extrinsic Factors Affecting Equine Performance (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Capstone Project (30 credits)
  • Equine Massage and Remedial Exercise (30 credits)
  • Biomechanics (15 credits)
  • Complementary Therapies (15 credits)
  • Sports Medicine (15 credits)
  • Equitation Science (15 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
Module details

If you study the Cert HE, you'll take the Year 1 five core modules then follow one of five pathways. Each pathway includes two to three optional modules, and is a route into one of our five BSc (Hons) equine degrees. These degrees are:

  • Equine Behavioural Science
  • Equine Bioveterinary Science
  • Equine Performance Science
  • Equine Performance and Business Management
  • Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.

Facilities

Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre. We have around 70 horses on campus, with a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, therapy barn. On our 150-hectare campus with grazing and space for events we have a DIY Livery Yard for students' horses. Take a guided tour and meet our students.

You’ll also have access to the rehab yard and specialist biomedical equipment including Tekscan Saddle Pressure System, Quintic Gait Analysis, Equimetre, VERT and Equinosis and F-Scan pressure sensors.

You’ll also be able to make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources and access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Equine Academy: support for talented riders

The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn

    Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.

  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre

  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.

  • A horse water treadmill

    Horse water treadmill

  • An indoor equestrian arena

    This is the largest of our arenas (24m x 60m), each of which have a different surface. This allows students to assess the impact of surfaces on equine biomechanics.

  • Equine outdoor arena

    Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.

  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena

    Tempo arena is one of our indoor arenas, 24m x 55m in size. DIY Livery students have access to all of our facilities when not being used for teaching purposes.

  • An equine therapy barn

    The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.

    • ;
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn

Careers

As a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation degree, you'll have the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the equine industry.

You could consider a career in:

  • equine sports therapy, including as a self-employed therapist
  • equine therapy rehabilitation
  • thoroughbred rehabilitation
  • hydrotherapy
  • equine welfare
  • equine nutrition
  • the police force.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Equine Performance Science or MSc Animal Welfare and Conservation.

Entry requirements

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Aerial view of campus buildings and grounds in Writtle

Life in Writtle

Close to major cities, ARU Writtle is located on a picturesque 150-hectare campus in the heart of the Essex countryside.

Explore the Writtle campus