Instructors:  Arlene White, PT M. Anim. St. (Physiotherapy), Dr. Allison Cannon DVM, CERT

Offered to: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Veterinary Technicians, and Bs Equine Science Graduates seeking ARI Certification. Other allied health professionals will be considered for certification on a case by case basis. Call ARI 561-790-1020 for more information.

Courses are a series of online lessons and exams along with a 6 day live lab (location & dates available on the course calendar). 

Course Description — The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and gait patterns of the horse.  Students will be introduced to the core concepts of evidence based physiotherapy including, musculoskeletal and soft tissue palpation,  range of motion testing, manual therapies, and modalities applied during equine rehabilitation.  Business aspects focusing on start up of an Equine Rehabilitation business and providing  documentation using objective measurements will be emphasized.  The skills learned in this course will allow graduates to bring benefit to horses, their owners and their veterinarians.

Attendance Details: PT’s, PTA’s Veterinary Technicians, Bs Equine Science Graduates must take all online courses and attend the 6 day lab.   

Learning Objectives:

Describe basic anatomical similarities and differences between humans and equines.
Identify relevant musculoskeletal structures: bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage etc.
Review equine anatomy: origin, insertion, and action of muscles, tendons, & ligaments.
Review palpation of the relevant structures via video
Describe the biomechanics of joint motion, muscle action, and common injuries in the equine.
Discuss structural and functional relationships.
Assess gait abnormalities.
Recognize normal gait variables
Introduction to physical rehabilitation and evidence based medicine.
Introduction to manual therapy including mobilization of soft tissue and  fascia.
Introduction and theory of the proprioceptive system & neuromotor control.
Introduction to therapeutic exercise
Use of modalities in equine rehabilitation including; ultrasound, laser, thermal agents, and
electro-therapy.
Discuss the unique features of a rehabilitation business including documentation and team
approach.
Introduction to Equine Rehab 6 Day Live Lab:  : see ARI calendar for live lab dates and location or email us.

Day 1: 8:00am – 5:00pm

8:00 – 8:30 Registration sign in, introduction instructor and students background
8:30 – 12:00 Review anatomy, palpation & conformation assessment
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 4:15 ROM Testing (baited vs PROM vs AAROM), Soft Tissue Assessment & treatment, recognizing back pain in horses.
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A

Day 2: 8:00am – 5:00pm

8:00 – 10:00 Assessing gait using AI Sleip App (normal vs abnormal)
10:00 – 12:00 Adding Proprioceptive devices to affect gait pattern (ie. kinesiology tape, Equicore, different types of stimulators)
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 4:15 Altering gait using equipment, ground poles, surface changes, gradients, & sure foot pads etc.
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A

Day 3: 8:00am – 5:00pm

8:00 – 9:00 Review physical therapy theory legalities treating equine patients.
9:00 – 12:00 Prioritizing results from your functional assessment using clinical decision making to formulate a treatment plan. Team approach to
rehabilitation -who’s in charge of what? Documentation & case study forms.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 4:15 Soft tissue treatment – manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization (hands vs tools)
Practicing Core exercises and ways to progress them. Applying kinesiology taping basics to equine patients.
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A

Day 4: 8:00am – 5:00pm

8:00 – 12:00 Set up and treatment using Electromodalities on the equine patient.
Laser, Ultrasound, LED, Pulsed Magnetic Wave, NMES, TENS,
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 4:15 Practice applying Electromodalities to our equine patients
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A

Day 5: 8:00am – 5:30pm

8:00 – 10:00 Business aspects starting an equine rehabilitation practice
10:15 – 12:00 Introduction to EQ Active therapeutic exercise program software
Designing home exercise programs using the software
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 4:15 Assess and formulate a treatment plan for our equine patients
(students split into groups with different cases)
4:30 – 5:30 Students present cases to the class for discussion

Day 6: 8:00am – 5:00pm

8:00 – 12:00 Principals of Therapeutic Exercise choosing the correct exercise and progression
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Application of thermal agents, compression stockings, bandaging is it appropriate for rest/work
2:45 – 5:00 Case Study presentations
Upward fixation of patella weak stifles
SDFT tear rehab
Over ridding dorsal spinous process (kissing spines)
Neurological rehab case

CASE STUDY SUBMISSION

After completing the Introduction to Equine Rehabilitation online module and exam, Equine Athletics online module and exam and attending the 6 day live lab students are required to submit a case study for review in order to gain their CERA credentials.

Please see the course calendar for dates and locations of all live labs or contact ARI  info@animalrehabinstitute.com or Mobile 561-222-4400