Equine Water Therapy Certification

Equine water therapy, or hydrotherapy, is the practice of using cold water in specific ways to assist the natural healing times of a horse. Cold water works at a cellular level by reducing the metabolic response of the cells. When that happens, the cells need less oxygen to function so the animal suffers from fewer hypoxic injuries. The cold water also decreases the permeability of the blood to reduce swelling and it also numbs the area to a slight degree to act as an anesthetic. Hot water relieves minor aches and pain and decreases healing time.

  1. Start with Veterinary Medicine

    • To become certified in equine hydrotherapy you would want to have a background in veterinary medicine or a very intensive horse rehabilitation or training background. There are courses that you can take at home and online as well as specialized schools for the alternative care of horses. However, when it comes to hydrotherapy, you might be more likely to achieve success by finding a location offering equine therapy and doing an internship at that location.

    Water Therapy Training in Colleges

    • Alternately, many universities offer equine physiotherapy programs that incorporate hydrotherapy. The College of Animal Physiotherapy in England offers various therapy fields including but not limited to hydrotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractic care for horses. Students from outside Britain can work both online and through travel to an approved location in order to complete the training. The Equine Rehabilitation Institute in Florida offers a certification in Equine Rehabilitation, which includes water therapy. The certificate is offered to licensed veterinarians and physical therapists

    Britain is Leading the Way in Animal Physiotherapy

    • Many of the current courses and certifications offered in Animal Physiotherapy and Equine hydrotherapy are offered through schools in Britain. Britain is becoming a forerunner in the field of alternative equine medicine. In the United States, distance learning classes are offered through Clayton Collage of Natural Healing as well as university programs at some of the top schools, such as the Ohio State University, which includes hydrotherapy.