Equine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy is a growing discipline that requires trained professionals to care for horses"

Physiotherapists specialized in the care of equine patients must have in-depth knowledge of the horse's anatomy in order to achieve effective training that minimizes possible damage or side effects to the animals. In this way, they will be able to perform rehabilitation work without any risks, improving their health and physical capacity.

One of the main pillars of this postgraduate diploma is the exhaustive and meticulous knowledge of the horse's anatomy, both from the functional point of view as well as its biomechanical behavior. The movement of the horse is developed fundamentally in three gaits: walk, trot and canter. However, as in humans, each equestrian discipline requires specific biomechanics and therefore has specific locomotor requirements. Knowing this dynamic will allow for getting the best physical performance out of the horse.

Likewise, achieving the maximum sporting performance of an athletic horse depends to a large extent on proper training planning. With proper and individualized planning, in addition to achieving the performance appropriate to the genetic potential of the horse, the risk of fatigue, exhaustion and, therefore, musculoskeletal injuries and overtraining will be reduced. 

This postgraduate diploma provides students with specialized tools and skills to successfully develop their professional activity, working on key competencies such as knowledge of the reality and daily practice of the professional, and developing responsibility in the monitoring and supervision of their work, as well as communication skills within the essential teamwork.

In addition, as it is an online postgraduate diploma, the student is not conditioned by fixed schedules or the need to move to another physical location, but can access the contents at any time of the day, balancing their work or personal life with their academic life.

Don't miss the opportunity to study with us in this postgraduate diploma in Horse Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics and Training. It's the perfect opportunity to advance in your career"

This postgraduate diploma in Horse Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics and Training contains the most complete and up-to-date educational program on the market. The most important features include:

• Practical cases presented by experts in equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• The graphic, schematic, and practical contents with which they are created, provide scientific and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional development
• The latest news on horse biomechanics and training
• Practical exercises where self-assessment can be used to improve learning
• Special emphasis on innovative methodologies in biomechanics and training in horses
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection

This postgraduate diploma is the best investment you can make in selecting a refresher program to update your knowledge in Horse Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics and Training”

Its teaching staff includes professionals from the field of physiotherapy, who contribute their work experience to this program, as well as renowned specialists from leading societies and prestigious universities.

The multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive training programmed to train in real situations.

This program is designed around Problem-Based Learning, whereby the professional must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise throughout the program. For this purpose, the professional will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts in horse functional anatomy, biomechanics and training. 

This program comes with the best educational material, providing you with a contextual approach that will facilitate your learning"

This 100% online postgraduate diploma will allow you to combine your studies with your professional work while increasing your knowledge in this field"

This postgraduate diploma in Horse Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics and Training is aimed at facilitating the performance of the professional with the latest advances and most innovative treatments in the sector.  

Our goal is to provide quality training so that our students become the best in their profession"

General Objectives

• Examine the different methods of objective measurement of the horse’s locomotor pattern by means of biomechanical studies
• Analyze the functional anatomy and biomechanics of the main locomotor units of the horse
• Define movement patterns in the horses natural gaits.
• Examine the locomotor demands and specific exercises in the main equestrian sport disciplines
• Plan and time a training program according to the horse's fitness level, competitive objectives and the type of equestrian discipline
• Design a stress test according to the equestrian discipline in which the horse participates, deciding which parameters should be measured and their interpretation
• Establish the diagnostic protocol to be followed in the case of a horse with loss/ reduction/ lack of sporting performance
• Develop a protocol for the treatment and prevention of pathologies associated with physical exercise and training, including overtraining syndrome
• Analyze what motor control is and its importance in locomotion and rehabilitation.
• Evaluate the main tools and exercises of active therapy
• Develop clinical and in-depth reasoning on the use of therapeutic exercises in the horse
• Generate autonomy when developing active re-education programs.

Specific Objectives

Module 1. Applied Anatomy and Biomechanics of Horses

• Characterize the air of walk, trot and canter from the kinetic and kinematic point of view
• Examine the influence of neck position on the biomechanics of the dorsum and pelvis
• Analyze the biomechanical characteristics of the pelvic limb and its relationship with the quality of the gait, trot and canter
• Analyze locomotor modifications associated with speed and training in the horse
• Characterize the biomechanical alterations found in claudication
• Develop variations in movement quality induced by patient age and genetics
• Evaluate the influence of the morphological characteristics of the hoof on the biomechanics of the thoracic limb
• Analyze the different types of shoeing and their effect on the biomechanical characteristics of the horse's hoof
• Establish the interaction of the saddle and rider on the horse's locomotor pattern
• Evaluate the effect of different embouchures and performance systems on the characteristics of the horse's movement

Module 2. Exercise Physiology and Training

• Examine respiratory, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal changes in response to submaximal and maximal, short and long duration, and intermittent exercises
• Understand the importance of histological and biochemical muscle changes with training and their impact on aerobic capacity and the respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic response to exercise
• Establish how heart rate and blood lactate monitoring is performed, as well as measurement of ventilatory volumes and VO2 oxygen consumption
• Identify the mechanisms of thermoregulation of a horse in sport, the associated pathologies, their consequences and the protocol of action in case of thermoregulatory alterations
• Specify training strategies to develop oxidative potential, strength and anaerobic capacity.
• Present strategies to reduce or delay the onset of fatigue during various types of exercises

Module 3. Therapeutic Exercise and Active Kinesitherapy

• Analyze the neuromuscular physiology involved in motor control
• Identify the consequences of altered motor control
• Define what specific tools we have and how we can include them in a motor control re-education program.
• Examine what elements we should consider when designing an active kinesitherapy program
• Define core training techniques and their application as a therapeutic exercise
• Define proprioceptive facilitation techniques and their application as a therapeutic exercise
• Evaluate the characteristics and biomechanical implications of some of the main exercises from a therapeutic point of view
• Evaluate the effects of active work

A unique, key and decisive training experience to boost your professional development"