Louise_Horsejumping_2 Physio for Horses 1

About Me

I am a Chartered Physiotherapist and Veterinary Physiotherapist with a lifelong background with animals - growing up with horses, dogs and rabbits. Following on from an active membership in the Pony Club, I progressed to affiliated eventing, and more recently dressage - currently competing at Advanced Medium level. I decided to follow a career in physiotherapy following an injury to one of my horses that required this treatment.

I studied physiotherapy at UWE Bristol and qualified in 2001. My first position involved working with a variety of conditions, ranging from acute orthopaedics, neurological rehabilitation, respiratory care including ITU, and musculo-skeletal outpatients. This thorough grounding provided excellent experience for the progression into treating animals.

Since 2004 I have specialised in musculo-skeletal outpatients. I gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College in December 2005, which enabled me to start treating animals. I now combine part time work in musculo-skeletal outpatients for the NHS at Okehampton Hospital and Bow GP Surgery, with my private Veterinary and Human Physiotherapy practice.

I am a member of the CSP – ‘Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’ and ACPAT - ‘Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy’, a specialist group within the CSP. This enables me to call myself a ‘Chartered Physiotherapist’, but both ACPAT and the HPC – ‘Health Professions Council’ that oversee the conduct of physiotherapists treating people – have strict regulations to ensure that members are fit to work. This mostly takes the form of Continuing Professional Development, or CPD.

As well as fulfilling the set criteria, I feel it is essential for me to ensure my skills are improving all the time, and I attend regular training in all areas of my practice. I am currently part-way through a Certificate in Equine Rehabilitation and will be attending other training throughout the year.

Qualifications/Professional Memberships

  • BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
  • PG Dip Vet Phys
  • CSP, ACPAT and HPC registered
  • AACP member (Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists)