Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Equine sports therapy and rehabilitation is a degree that applies the principles of sports science, anatomy, biomechanics, and physiotherapy to the athletic horse. The equine sports industry, spanning racing, eventing, showjumping, dressage, and leisure riding, depends on horses performing at the highest levels of their physical capacity, and the ability to assess, treat, and rehabilitate horses with musculoskeletal injuries or movement dysfunction is a genuinely specialist skill with growing demand across competitive and professional equestrian settings.

At Anglia Ruskin University, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge of equine anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics alongside practical skills in therapeutic techniques, rehabilitation programme design, and the assessment of equine movement and performance. You will learn to identify musculoskeletal conditions and movement problems in horses, to apply manual and physical therapies appropriate to the equine athlete, and to design progressive rehabilitation programmes that support return to performance after injury. The degree integrates scientific rigour with hands-on practical training in equine facilities, giving you the dual foundations that professional practice in this field requires.

You will also develop an understanding of the wider equine industry, the regulatory and professional frameworks governing equine therapy, and the importance of working collaboratively within veterinary-led teams. Communication with vets, trainers, and owners is a professional skill the programme develops alongside the clinical content.

Graduates in equine sports therapy and rehabilitation work across the horse industry as equine sports therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and equine physiotherapists, in racing yards, performance stables, equine rehabilitation centres, veterinary practices, and sport horse operations. The degree provides a strong foundation for further professional training and, in some cases, postgraduate study in veterinary physiotherapy, animal science, or related fields. Membership of relevant professional bodies, including the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy, is a goal for many graduates.