Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® — professional education combining scientific and theoretical study, supervised practical training, independent equine clinical practice, clinical reasoning and formal competency assessment.
The Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® programme is designed to develop a systematic understanding of the horse from anatomical, biomechanical and physiotherapeutic perspectives.
The programme progresses from fundamental anatomy, physiology and palpation to gait analysis, functional assessment, manual therapy, rehabilitation and advanced examination and treatment of different anatomical regions.
Theory and practical application are integrated throughout the programme. Students are expected not only to learn treatment techniques, but also to examine the horse systematically, interpret findings, formulate an appropriate treatment strategy and evaluate the response to treatment.
An osteopathic approach is integrated throughout the entire Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® programme and becomes progressively more advanced as the student's theoretical knowledge, practical skills and clinical reasoning develop.
Students are trained to assess the horse from a whole-horse perspective, considering the entire musculoskeletal system — including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and associated soft-tissue structures — and the functional and biomechanical relationships between them.
Students therefore learn not only to identify where a horse presents with pain, restriction or impaired function, but to investigate why the problem may be occurring, including possible biomechanical relationships, compensatory patterns and dysfunction elsewhere in the movement system.
Pain science and neurology are integrated into the programme to support the student's understanding of pain, sensory and motor function, neurological influence on movement and the relationship between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
As their knowledge develops, students learn to incorporate relevant neurological principles and pain mechanisms into examination, clinical reasoning, treatment planning and evaluation of treatment response.
According to their level of training, students progressively develop knowledge of pathology and relevant signs of disease. Particular emphasis is placed on recognising findings that may indicate conditions outside the scope of physiotherapeutic treatment and therefore require veterinary assessment or referral.
Research literacy and evidence-based practice are integrated throughout the programme. Students are trained to critically consider relevant scientific and professional knowledge alongside clinical findings, practical experience and the individual horse.
Clinical reasoning and professional documentation are developed progressively throughout the education. The SOAP framework — Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan — is used as one structured approach to clinical documentation and case management.
Fundamental principles, anatomy, physiology, musculoskeletal structure, skeletal anatomy and anatomical reference points.
Gait and conformation assessment, muscular function, massage techniques, functional anatomy and biomechanics.
Systematic examination, tenderness and pain, sports massage, injury prevention and core-stability principles.
Clinical examination, treatment planning, complete treatment sessions, clinical reasoning and professional documentation.
Detailed functional anatomy, advanced examination, dysfunction, injury and rehabilitation strategies.
Detailed anatomy of the hind limbs and hip, physiotherapeutic examination and rehabilitation strategies.
Formal theoretical and practical competency assessment after the first six teaching modules.
Detailed anatomy, functional biomechanics, compensatory patterns and rehabilitation of the sacral and pelvic regions.
Anatomy and functional examination of the axial skeleton and topline, physiotherapeutic assessment and rehabilitation.
Advanced examination and treatment together with advanced massage techniques and laser therapy.
Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the thoracic region with emphasis on posture, respiration and rehabilitation.
Full-body integration, clinical reasoning, professional documentation and preparation for final assessment.
Written, oral and practical examination, including practical examination on a horse with an external veterinarian examiner.
Each student must complete a minimum of 250 documented equine examinations and treatments throughout the programme, representing approximately 750 hours of independent clinical practice.
The clinical logbook must be completed before the final examination.
Students are trained to integrate information from the horse's history, movement, functional examination and palpation into an individual treatment and rehabilitation strategy.
Theoretical and practical assessment after Module 6 before progression to the advanced programme.
The final assessment evaluates theoretical understanding, professional communication, clinical reasoning and practical examination and treatment of a horse.
An external veterinarian examiner participates in the final examination and contributes to the independent professional assessment.
The official programme-level estimate is approximately 1,550 hours. Workload categories describe different components of the programme and should not be double-counted where activities overlap.
| Official total programme workload | Approximately 1,550 hours |
|---|---|
| Contact teaching | 352 hours |
| Theoretical instruction within contact teaching | Approximately 236 hours |
| Supervised practical training within contact teaching | Approximately 116 hours |
| Independent clinical practice | Minimum 250 documented cases · approximately 750 hours |
| Formal assessment workload | Module 6A + Module 12 together · approximately 120 hours |
For international workload-comparison purposes only, approximately 1,550 hours is broadly comparable to approximately 50–60 ECTS workload when applying a conventional range of approximately 25–30 study hours per ECTS credit.
The Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® programme does not award ECTS credits. This numerical comparison is provided solely to assist international authorities, educational institutions and professional organisations in understanding the study volume. It does not constitute formal ECTS accreditation, credit transfer, university equivalence or recognition within a national qualifications framework.
The Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® is a professional qualification issued by The Danish Equine Academy / MySir.
The programme is a professional equine physiotherapy education and is not presented as a Danish university degree. The qualification does not itself confer ECTS credits or automatic recognition by universities, veterinary authorities or professional regulatory bodies.
Recognition for a particular professional, educational or regulatory purpose remains the responsibility of the relevant competent authority.
These documents describe the structure, workload, curriculum, assessment and status of the Equine Physiotherapist E.D.P.® programme.
Programme structure, duration, workload, teaching methods, clinical requirements, examinations and learning outcomes.
Detailed descriptions of modules, educational purpose, programme content and learning outcomes.
Structured information about the nature, duration, content, workload, assessment and professional status of the qualification.
Example of the individual academic record issued in connection with programme completion. The public file should be marked SAMPLE.
