Finding professionals

For professional and ethical reasons, veterinary hospitals and specialist vets are only able to accept horses for treatment that are referred to them by a veterinary surgeon. Some horse owners therefore register directly with a hospital in their area. Once the decision to refer the horse has been taken by the owner, the referring veterinary surgeon will discuss the case with the specialist clinicians, share any clinical history and a plan  will be agreed.

Acupuncture is an act of veterinary surgery and can only legally be performed by a veterinary surgeon . There are a number of Equine Vets who have trained in the technique.

Only Registered Farriers, Approved Apprentices or persons undergoing Council approved courses, Veterinary Surgeons or trainee Veterinary Surgeons working under supervision and persons giving first aid in an emergency situation to a horse may practice farriery legally.The Farriers Registration Council provides a searchable list of registered farriers in the UK

BEVA has been working with lay dental technicians as well as vets to ensure that appropriately trained professionals can be identified.  This fact sheet from Celtic Equine Vets explains more about the qualifications.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has published a guide for vets about the different qualifications and classifications of physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, McTimoney practitoners and other musculoskeletal therapists.