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.
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/