News - Academia/Research

Anglia Ruskin University and the College of West Anglia have opened a new Equine Therapy Centre in Cambridge as part of the recent introduction of a new Equine Studies Degree that is being delivered jointly by the institutions.

The centre – opened by Olympic bronze medallist Sharon Hunt – will help to reduce the pain and inflammation suffered by horses after injury and restore their overall fitness.

Tackling injuries is one of the highest priorities of horse owners, whether for a high performance horse or a beloved hacking mount.  

Equine rehabilitation is a recurring theme within the modules of the new Equine Studies degree programme and the unit that will directly support this study is nearing completion on the Cambridge campus of the College of West Anglia.

It houses a wide range of equipment delivering a number of therapeutic modalities.

Sharon Hunt said: “The College of West Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University are developing a fantastic new facility which is badly needed in this area.

“I have to travel miles to be able to use this type of equipment, which I would use routinely to keep my event horses in top condition.”

While the centre has been developed primarily for the education of the equine students and clients will be mainly yard horses rather than injured equine athletes, there is a vision for the centre beyond its institutional role.

In time, it is hoped that the centre can be opened for squad training and performance testing for regional or national squads interested in maximising their performance in international competitions.

The centre managers are also keen to establish relationships with local vets to enable the facility to be used for post-surgical, after-injury and return-to-training care.

It may also be able to accommodate local equine therapy specialists and also equine physiotherapists to enable them to offer clinics to promote and assist with the recovery of their clients’ horses.