Devon equine specialist Helen Tompkins is associated with the following organisations.
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About Helen
Helen is a former Head Girl of a 45-horse mixed livery yard and has been involved with horses for 30 years in various capacities, including instructing.
Following up a long term personal interest in equine physical therapy and rehabilitation, Helen qualified as a human sports massage therapist in 1998 and ran her own busy private clinic for human remedial massage clients for two years. She then undertook the ITEC Diploma in Equine Sports Massage, delivered by eminent Veterinary Chartered Physiotherapist Mary Bromiley, FCSP, graduating with Credit. Helen gained valuable experience as an equine sports massage therapist working with a wide variety of horses & riders including many top level dressage horses further to completing an MSc in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College (in conjunction with the University of Wales).
After several years of practice, Helen gained a further Masters Degree, this time in Veterinary Physiotherapy; graduating with Merit from Harper Adams University.
Helen lectured in practical and theoretical aspects of Equine Massage Therapy to the students of the ITEC Equine Sports Massage Diploma as delivered by Mary Bromiley, FCSP for eight years until the course ended. She is now developing a replacement career course (see Training Courses page). She retains a particular interest in exercise therapy (dynamic and passive), rehabilitation from long term injury and development of the horse to ensure optimum performance, including ground exercises for the horse. Helen remains busy in her clinical practice in the West Country and is fortunate to provide veterinary physiotherapy for a number of the region’s leading riders. She also treats small and farm animals.
Location
Helen is based in GoodLeigh, Barnstaple.
She will travel throughout Devon and Somerset to clients.
Research Interests
Helen has completed two research theses:
An investigation in to the effect of topical applications on horn moisture levels and growth rate
(Undergraduate, University of Hertfordshire)
The effect of a prescribed programme of unridden dynamic suppling exercise on range of motion of the hock joint and hindlimb stride length in the riding horse
(Postgraduate, University of Wales)
Further details of either are available on request.
Helen was recently featured on BBC Spotlight and in the Western Morning News; read the article here.
Sponsorship
Helen sponsors Rosanna Walters-Symons, FEI World Advanced Pony Silver medallist of 2013 with Dabernon Tiger Woods.
From April 2015 Helen is very pleased to be sponsoring popular Devon event rider Tim Cheffings. Tim has been a valuable client for several years and details of his very promising eventing career, horses, coaching and the Downe Farm Event Centre can be found at http://www.downefarm.com/
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“ Physiotherapy for animals …
for suppleness, mobility and performance ”
Helen Tompkins is a dual qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist and McTimoney Animal Practitioner based in North Devon. She uses physiotherapeutic techniques (massage, mobilisations, manipulation, electrotherapy, stress point therapy, exercise therapy and stretching regimes) and McTimoney Animal Manipulation techniques to address musculoskeletal problems in animals. Although Helen mainly treats horses and dogs, she has also successfully treated other animals including cats, sheep, goats and cattle.
Helen covers Devon, North Cornwall and West Somerset.
It is a legal requirement that anyone treating an animal must have veterinary permission to do so. Helen will contact your vet prior to treatment to confirm any relevant details and to ensure permission is forthcoming. Where an animal presents with symptoms which may require veterinary attention (such as lameness), Helen may decline to proceed with treatment until veterinary advice has been sought.
Physiotherapy for animals