Bringing a smile to Charlie's face

The Horse Physio is excited to announce that disabled rider Charlie, who rides with the High Riders RDA group, will be able to ride for the next year, thanks to those who attended the Horse Massage for the Horse Owners course today. Massive thank you to Stourport Riding Centre for providing fantastic facilities, and to all who took part for their enthusiasm and energy. I know that your horses will appreciate it! 

Charlie is a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, unable to walk unaided for more than a few steps. He lights up during his riding lessons, and brings smiles to everyone around him.

The Horse Physio has been running Horse Massage for Horse Owners courses for several years now, taught by chartered physiotherapist superman. Sue says "I love teaching this course. I love the knowledge that so many horses will benefit in so many ways. Most of all I think, I love watching and listening to the group participants getting so much from each other as they share their knowledge and experiences". For anyone who is not sure that they could remember all the information, it's available as a book and a DVD as well through www.thehorsephysio.co.uk.

Massage is a gentle therapeutic technique, that anyone can use to help that own horse. Aiming to relieve soreness and release tight muscles, it can help to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. There are courses throughout the UK where you can learn hands on with your horse, similar to those run through The Horse Physio. Some teach you how to help your own horse, others are full-blown qualifications to enable you to massage horses as a career.

Do you know if your horse therapist is qualified?

Anyone who follows my work will know that one of the things I'm passionate about is educating the UK horse owner population about the lack of protection of the title 'Veterinary Physiotherapist'.  Because of various loopholes, no qualifications at all are necessary to use this title, and you can qualify with a Masters degree in 'Veterinary Physiotherapy' without being qualified in the human field.  To find a Veterinary Physiotherapist who is qualified in the human field, look for a Chartered Physiotherapist (the title 'Chartered' is protected) at www.acpat.co.uk.

Veterinary nurses suffer from a similar problem.  Currently the title ‘veterinary nurse’ is not protected in law, and therefore anyone, even if they lack the relevant training and education, can refer to themselves as a veterinary nurse. The veterinary profession believes that this should change, and  there is currently a petition on the UK Government and Parliament website calling for protection of title for "veterinary nurse".

There are already more than 10,000 signatures, so the government is obliged to respond to the petition, but if they can get to 100,000 then it must be debated in Parliament. I have signed and would urge you to do so as well, if you feel able. If Veterinary Nurses are granted protection of title, it will ultimately benefit animal welfare which is what we all want above all else. It may also be the first step in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) recognising protection of title for Allied Health Professionals such as Physiotherapists is also necessary.

Sign the petition today and help progress animal welfare in the UK.

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