Katie Lawrence - Veterinary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

29/07/2026

This month marks nine years since the validation of the BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Physiotherapy, which I developed with Berkshire College of Agriculture and the Royal Agricultural University.

I still remember the email landing in my inbox and how huge that moment felt after years of planning and programme development. It really was a labour of love.

As one of the first blended learning degrees in Veterinary Physiotherapy, it opened up access to the qualification for people all over the world, which makes me incredibly proud.

The programme is still going strong today (now at Plumpton College) and I’m really pleased to still be involved in a small way through the Electrophysical Therapy module and practical training days.

It’s lovely to stay connected to something that has meant so much to me, and nine years on it still feels like a real milestone.

Image: Sarah Smith/ Quadrangle - Royal College of Agriculture

22/07/2026

Ringside seats at the RI 😍

09/07/2026

🐾 Congratulations to George Valasiadis, who has completed the Certificate in Canine Mobility Therapy with Animal Rehabilitation and Health Academy.

Based near Athens, Greece, George has completed this important stage of his studies and is now continuing towards the Advanced Diploma in Canine Exercise Rehabilitation. We look forward to following his journey and seeing how he puts his new knowledge into practice.

A huge well done on this fantastic achievement! 👏💙

06/07/2026

Quick pit stop on my way to Jewels Stables for a day teaching equine strength and conditioning exercises 💪 🐴

Really looking forward to this day and spreading the word about the Quad X Method - Equine Strength and Conditioning 😍

10/06/2026

We're excited to be heading to Jewels Stables on 6th July to deliver a new one-day Quad X® workshop: Building the Resilient Athlete.

We'll be exploring how strength and conditioning can support long-term soundness, performance and resilience, with plenty of practical application throughout the day.

📍 Jewels Stables, Arundel
📅 Monday 6th July 2026
🏅 BHS Approved CPD (6 points)

Send us a DM or comment JEWELS below and we'll send you the details.

17/11/2024

Cruciate inflammation, partial or full rupture can present as a sudden painful, non-weight bearing lameness.

Either with conservative management or while waiting for surgery, some immediate actions can be taken to improve the outcome for the patient.

Weight management - there will be a sudden reduction in calorie expenditure due to the fact exercise will be restricted. Ensure calorie intake is reduced to match. It is crucial the patient doesn’t put on weight.

Home environment adjustments - non-slip surfaces should be placed around the home where the dog will walk and especially around corners. No free climbing up stairs, you can discuss assisting the dog upstairs if they will be very distressed about being left downstairs. Padding about in distress is often worse than assisting the patient upstairs to sleep wither their owners.

Treatment with Electrophysical Therapy - treatments such as ultrasound therapy, laser and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can help to modulate pain and inflammation.

Take quick action on these points to throw some water on the cruciate fire 🔥

06/11/2024

⏰

Learn canine rehabilitation!

Our most advanced Canine Exercise Rehabilitation course is closing for enrolment until later next year.

Take your Canine Therapy business to the next level with our Advanced Diploma in Canine Exercise Rehabilitation!

DM the word ‘canine’ for@more info 🥰

05/11/2024

Back by popular demand 🌟💫

Free 4 day mini course where you will learn how to use Strength and Conditioning in Equine Rehabilitation.

EVERY horse in rehabilitation should undergo a strength and conditioning programme to reduce the chance of reinjury.

EVERY ridden horse should undergo a strength and conditioning programme to reduce the risk of injury in the first place!

The Quad X® Method is a framework that brings together the essential elements of equine rehabilitation.

Over 4 days these bitesized lessons are delivered straight to your inbox.

Just click play ▶️

To join us DM the word ‘free’ and we will be sure to add you to the course 🌟💫

04/11/2024

Our Free course is about to open again 🥰👇

If the right muscles aren’t strong enough, the wrong ones will take over 🤦‍♀️

Horses naturally turn by leaning in.

It’s the same principle as a motorbike 🏍️

Then we come along and ask them to stay upright as they turn and expect them to just be able to do it!

Well they can’t….

They can try, but they will have to use different strategies to do it and recruit the incorrect muscles to help.

This sets the horse up to develop poor muscle balance and a lack of stability around their joints.

We need to give them the time to develop their adductor and abductor muscles so they can use them to aid turning and stay upright.

Naturally, they are not as developed as we need them to be. Targeted exercises are necessary.

If you are an equine therapist who wants to learn more, our really popular Free CPD ‘How to use strength and conditioning in equine rehabilitation’ is opening up again in a few days.

Jump the queue! DM ‘free’ to save your seat!

02/11/2024

4 step exercise progression 👇

Do you know how to progress and regress exercises safely and effectively?

More importantly do you know WHEN you need to progress and regress?

To progress an exercise you need to make it gradually more difficult.

How you do this will depend on the specifics of the individual case and underlying issues.

Here is an example of how you might progress a thoracic sling stability exercise.

1. Thoracic rocking on hard ground.
2. Thoracic rocking on pads
3. One limb lifted on pads.
4. One limb lifted on pads with lateral weight shift.

You could also progress/regress any of these by altering the sets, reps, hold times or frequency of the exercise.

Building a rehab plan is so much more than adding minutes to hand walking and trot and canter.

It is about assessing the horse and addressing its specific weakness and needs and developing exercises around this information.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.

If you want to develop your knowledge of equine rehabilitation and elevate your programme development and exercise prescription skills come and join us for the Advanced Diploma in Equine Exercise Rehabilitation - Advanced Professional Development for Equine Therapists.

Enrolment is open but spaces are limited. Course starts 27th November.

DM ‘Equine’ for more info.