Equine Therapy, Rehabilitation and Performance
Discover how to support the overall health, wellbeing and performance of horses at ARU Writtle, and qualify as an equine sports massage therapist.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
Gain in-depth knowledge of equine anatomy, biomechanics and performance, with practical training in massage and therapeutic techniques.
By exploring case studies and clinical reasoning, and working with students on other courses, you’ll learn how to assess, treat and support equine athletes. You'll also gain crucial experience working alongside vets and other professionals in this growing, dynamic industry.
This course offers a recognised qualification and a direct pathway into a rewarding equine-focused career.
Our course is pending accreditation by the Animal Health Professions Register (AHPR). As a graduate, you'll be able to apply for membership of the Register.
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Find out how we can prepare you for a rewarding career in equine rehabilitation and massage therapy.
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Immerse yourself in our cutting-edge equine centres including therapy barns, water treadmill, solariums and more
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Learn from industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding
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Gain vital experience through real-life clinical cases and our connections with a wide range of industries
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Our course is pending accreditation by the Animal Health Professions’ Register (AHPR), and prepares you to provide health services that protect animal welfare
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Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study
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Join our Equine Academy, which supports talented competition riders and provides coaching from UKCC-qualified coaches
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.
Careers
The knowledge and skills I acquired at Writtle have allowed me to get where I am today. I am very grateful for the theoretical and practical skills I learnt whilst studying. These skills allow me to work with professional confidence within the equine industry.
This course will equip you with clinical knowledge and hands-on skills in equine therapy, rehabilitation and performance, and the confidence to apply them in the workplace.
From day one, you’ll gain real-world practice in assessment and treatment through real-life case studies and scenarios, as well as our extensive industry connections. You'll learn how to assess, reason and formulate rehabilitation plans, and work effectively with veterinary teams and clients. You'll also develop practical, business, and research know-how.
You'll graduate ready to step into a rewarding career and make a real impact on equine health and wellbeing.
Teaching and modules
You'll integrate research and hands-on experience to enhance your knowledge of equine therapy and performance, gaining an extensive understanding of equine athletes.
We'll start by covering essential topics such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, behaviour and welfare.
You'll also discover how horses are influenced by discipline specific demands, rider posture, tack, including saddles, bridles, boots and lunging equipment, and develop an understanding of the importance of correct farriery.
You’ll go on to deepen your knowledge of equine movement, gait adaptations, biomechanics, manual therapy, hydrotherapy and first aid. You’ll explore equine health, pain management and research methods, applying theory to real-world scenarios through in-depth case studies drawn from current industry practice.
The course concludes with a major project designed to consolidate your skills and demonstrate your readiness for professional practice.
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 *.
- Into ARU
- Foundations of Professional Skills (15 credits)
- Factors Affecting Equine Performance and Wellbeing (15 credits)
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology (30 credits)
- Equine Therapy Assessment: Principles and Practice (30 credits)
- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Equine Nutrition, Behaviour and Welfare (30 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Equine Hydrotherapy and First Aid (15 credits)
- Equine Principles and Applications of Manual Interventions (30 credits)
- Equine Health, Disease and Pain Mechanisms (15 credits)
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Horse & Rider Development (30 credits) *
- Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of Equine Movement (30 credits) *
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Applied Techniques in Equine Massage, Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy (30 credits)
- Integrated Approaches to Equine Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
- Equine Biomechanics and Pathophysiology (30 credits) *
- Professional Development for Career Success (15 credits) *
- Integrative Approaches to Equine Exercise Physiology (15 credits) *
- Ethical and Sustainable Approaches to Equine Welfare (30 credits) *
- Performance Analysis and Advancement (30 credits) *
Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.
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Jane HartLecturer in Equine Performance
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Charlotte Coleman-FryLecturer in Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Rosemary LawrenceLecturer in Equine
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Alissia FinnLecturer
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Professor Roberta BlakeProfessor
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.
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Our Equine Training and Development Centre features stables, riding arenas and a therapy barn including the latest industry technology.
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There are around 70 horses on campus, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for hands-on, real-world experiences.
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You’ll gain practical experience using the equine water treadmill to develop and apply rehabilitation and conditioning techniques for horses recovering from injury or enhancing performance.
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Our specialist facilities, including fully equipped therapy barns, treatment areas, and dedicated arenas are designed to support safe and effective practice.
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You’ll gain practical experience using a range of equipment, applying evidence-based techniques to support the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions in both canine and equine patients.
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Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.
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Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre
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The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.
