Open Awards
Level 6
QN: 610/6891/3
Curriculum Active
Open Awards Level 6 Diploma in Equine Physiotherapy (RQF)
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by Open Awards. Classified as a Occupational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 320 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 6
Awarding Body
Open Awards
Syllabus Units
5 Units
Guided Hours
320 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Applied Equine Physiotherapy
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the scientific and clinical research and literature relevant to the field of equine physiotherapy 1.
- Analyse current research in the field of equine physiotherapy 1.
- Evaluate three selected topics relevant to the field of equine physiotherapy2.
- Be able to develop appropriate therapy plans for horses with specific problems 2.
- Design effective rehabilitation programmes for two equine patients with contrasting issues 2.
- Carry out effective rehabilitation programmes for two equine patients with contrasting issues identified in 2.
- Carry out a physical assessment of an equine patient 2.
- Carry out an effective treatment protocol for the patient assessed in 2.33.
- Understand the correlation between equine scientific and clinical research, and the application of equine physiotherapy 3.
- Assess how developments in equine physiotherapy are influenced by equine scientific and clinical research 3.
- Explain how evidence-based research could be considered in the design process of two rehabilitation programmes
2
Contemporary Issues in Equine Health and Welfare
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the influence of domestication on equine welfare 1.
- Apply terminology used within equine welfare 1.
- Appraise the use of a range of at least three measures of equine welfare 1.
- Evaluate the effect of domestication on equine welfare 1.
- Investigate the potential contribution and impact of the horse owner/carer on equine welfare2.
- Understand the compatibility of equestrian competition and training with equine welfare 2.
- Analyse the compatibility of demands of common equine competition training practices with the welfare of the horse 2.
- Analyse the compatibility of demands of equine competition against the welfare of the horse3.
- Understand contemporary issues and research relevant to domesticated horses 3.
- Analyse contemporary issues regarding the health and wellbeing of domesticated horses 3.
- Analyse areas of current and emerging research within the field of equine healthcare 3.
- Evaluate the contribution of equitation science to horse welfare4.
- Understand current and traditional approaches to horse husbandry and management, and make justified recommendations to improve equine welfare 4.
- Analyse contemporary and emerging practices, techniques and developments indicated to contribute towards equine welfare 4.
- Analyse the potential impact of public perception on the sustainability of equestrianism 4.
- Critique traditional and current horse-husbandry techniques 4.
- Construct justified recommendations to improve equine welfare
3
Further Applied Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to evaluate anatomical structures 1.
- Accurately identify the palpable skeletal landmarks and superficial muscles pertinent to a physical assessment of the horse 1.
- Distinguish the layers of common muscles 1.
- Use appropriate terminology to describe landmarks and palpation findings2.
- Be able to evaluate variations in musculoskeletal structure and function 2.
- Assess regional differences in joint range of motion including the vertebral column 2.
- Evaluate skeletal and muscular symmetry within individual horses 2.
- Interpret symmetry findings in relation to balance or imbalance3.
- Be able to apply appropriate manual therapy techniques 3.
- Apply massage and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses 3.
- Apply myofascial release and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses 3.
- Apply trigger point release and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses 3.
- Apply panniculus reflex techniques and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses4.
- Be able to apply appropriate stretch exercises and mobilisation techniques 4.
- Apply hands-on and baited stretches for the limbs and vertebral column and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses 4.
- Apply hands-on joint mobilisations and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses 4.
- Incorporate dynamic exercises in stretching and joint mobilisation and reflect on the efficacy of its application on five horses
4
Independent Research Project
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to plan a research project 1.
- Develop a research question 1.
- Plan a research and data/information collection schedule 1.
- Plan a writing up schedule2.
- Be able to select and apply appropriate research techniques to the area of investigation 2.
- Conduct a review of primary literature 2.
- Collect and synthesise information using research techniques 2.
- Evaluate findings of the review of literature 2.
- Discuss any evident conflicts or limitations in relation to information/data gathered 2.
- Manage progress to meet set milestones and deadlines as outlined in the planned schedule 2.
- Review progress against planned schedule3.
- Be able to communicate information clearly and accurately using appropriate methods 3.
- Write up a research project using appropriate presentation methods 3.
- Present data analysis in a form suitable for inclusion in a research project
5
Research Methods
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to select and apply appropriate statistical analysis for a given research question and study design 1.
- Present appropriate descriptive statistics for a given data set 1.
- Assess the distribution of the data and what deviation from a normal distribution means for subsequent analysis 1.
- Conduct simple inferential statistics of a given data set 1.
- Determine which statistical tests should be used for a given data set 1.
- Select ways in which results can be displayed using appropriate graphs and figures2.
- Understand ethical implications in the study design and research question 2.
- Discuss ethical issues which may affect a particular research question 2.
- Explain the process of an ethics application 2.
- Assess the importance of sample size calculation when planning a study
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 610/6891/3
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- Open Awards
- Qualification Type
- Occupational Qualification
- Operational Start
- Feb 2026