MSc Horse Rider Musculoskeletal Therapy and Rehabilitation

at Hartpury University

The focus of this programme is on developing your understanding of the physical interaction between the horse and rider and interventions to enhance the function of the rider. 

Below are some of the skills and knowledge you’ll gain, helping to set you apart from your competition:

• Knowledge of how the horse moves and how spinal biomechanics affect the motion of the rider
• Gain a wider understanding of the welfare of the ridden horse
• Understand how to evaluate human and horse biomechanics using gait analysis and electromyography equipment, as well as riding simulators to assess rider influence on horse performance
• Understanding of topical issues around the ridden horse including welfare

The range of compulsory modules will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the rider’s function and performance in the saddle, progressing to the application of therapeutic interventions. Your clinical reasoning skills will allow you to compile a problem list and develop goals for treatment, presenting cases based on this information. 

A postgraduate dissertation will allow you to design, implement and evaluate a personal project in a contemporary area of horse rider musculoskeletal therapy and rehabilitation.

Modules

Below you’ll find the modules for this course.

• Equine Biomechanics and Physiology (15 credits)
• Introduction to Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics (15 credits)
• Rider Musculoskeletal Therapy (30 credits)
• The Research Process (15 credits)
• Rider Performance and Rehabilitation (30 credits)
• Postgraduate Independent Study (15 credits)
• Postgraduate Dissertation (60 credits)

Academic

2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject. Students with 2:2 and relevant experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

Non-academic

Students with non-relevant qualifications but with sufficient work experience or professional experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International

In addition to the academic qualification an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required.

UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands students
£9,000

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (INCLUDING EU)
£13,000

This postgraduate programme is designed to enable therapists to develop their practice to a postgraduate level of clinical reasoning and skills application. The applied, practical nature of the delivery with focus on the horse rider will develop practical skills with an evidence-based approach for injury management and to enhance performance. Working within their scope of professional practice, the graduate will be in integral part of the multidisciplinary team supporting the horse and rider dyad.

As a graduate, you'll be ready to progress directly into the specialist field of horse rider injury management and performance, whether as an independent practitioner or within a professional organisation.