Equine Physiotherapy: When to Call and What to Expect
A UK guide to equine physios — ACPAT vs RAMP registration, what a session covers, typical prices in 2026 and when your horse actually needs one.
When to call a physio
- Any drop in performance without an obvious lameness
- Uneven muscle development, especially over the topline
- Persistent one-rein stiffness
- After a fall, a bad slip, or a season change in workload
- As part of a rehab plan after a vet-diagnosed injury
A physio doesn't replace a vet. If your horse is lame, call the vet first — a physio should always work with veterinary referral for any injury.
Registered bodies
Look for members of ACPAT (Chartered Physiotherapists trained in animal work) or RAMP (the multi-disciplinary register). Both regulate scope of practice and CPD.
Typical UK physio prices in 2026
- Standard treatment session: £60–£95
- Initial assessment (often longer): £75–£120
- Bundle of 3 sessions: £170–£260
Yard visits often include a small travel or block booking discount if two or three horses are seen at once.
What a session looks like
A good physio watches the horse walk and trot in hand, discusses recent work with you, palpates and mobilises soft tissue and joints, and then gives you homework — stretches, pole work, hill work or lateral work — for the two weeks between sessions.
If you don't get exercises to do at home, ask.