Veterinary Physiotherapy

Applications now closed until Spring 2024

Equine hydrotherapy is an extremely effective, low intensity method of rehabilitating injured horses and maintaining their general fitness levels. However, there is no regulated standard of training in the UK particularly in the techniques, exercises and overall best practice in using equine water treadmills.

For an industry centered around horse welfare, we believe things should be better. At VetHed, our mission is to do just this. We are advocating for the teaching on equine hydrotherapy to be:

consistent throughout the UK
of a high professional standard
with regular CPD updates

This will ensure the welfare of our horses is protected and hydrotherapists feel confident and supported. It will also give vets, insurers, owners and trainers confidence in the therapist and their clinical practice.

In 2024, we will be releasing an accredited course at an advanced level. The course will consolidate and set a benchmark for professional industry practice and will support the industry towards regulation.

The course will be for anyone either currently working or aspiring to work within the industry and there will be a Recognised Prior Learner (RPL) route for current full RAMP, IRVAP and AHPR members.

Future-proof your knowledge

Join our free waitlist today to be kept up to date on our progress and course release dates, and we look forward to seeing you in the first cohort!

Meet the team

Led by Grace Nattrass, the VetHed team is made up of vets, researchers and animal physiotherapists. Along with many of our industry colleagues, we are passionate about lobbying for regulation within the equine hydrotherapy industry, and as such we have come together to provide the industry's first level 6 equine hydrotherapy course.

GRACE NATTRASS

~ DIRECTOR~

With over ten years working in the veterinary physiotherapy industry as a practitioner, clinical educator and now lecturer; Grace understands the complexities of rehabilitation and the importance of regulation.

Grace has been on the Board of the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) as a Council member and Chair. Currently, Grace is a Council member of IRVAP and co-Chair of the sub-group - the Institute of Equine Hydrotherapy (IEH).

Grace has also achieved her Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and PGCert in Professional Academic Practice.

JENNY HINDMARSH

~ VETERINARY LEAD ~

Jenny is a graduate of Bristol Vet School, has been in practice for 4 years and has completed a PGDip in Veterinary Clinical Practice (Equine).

Jenny is our Veterinary Lead and is responsible for producing our key veterinary documents and learning resources.

Jenny helps to ensure all our materials are accurate and appropriate, so you can be confident of the high standard in the teaching we provide.

We are thrilled that Jenny has personally contributed towards the key veterinary-focused modules in the course.

HANNAH SIMPSON

~ RESEARCHER ~

Hannah is a qualified veterinary physiotherapist and is currently completing her MSc in Applied Equine Science, which includes a dissertation on equine hydrotherapy.

Assisting in the compilation of all the course modules, lectures, content and learning resources from her specialist knowledge and research to the level 6 standard of the course, Hannah is our lead researcher.

Hannah helps to ensure our course is all based on evidence and is key in its development .