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At the heart of everything I do lies a simple belief: when we look after ourselves, we can better look after our horses. The partnership between horse and human is a living connection — built on balance, strength, understanding, and care.
Through my work as a Chartered Physiotherapist, educator, and author, I help people deepen that connection. Whether you join me online from across the world or visit me in person in Stafford or Stourport, my aim is the same — to help you and your horse move freely, comfortably, and confidently.
Blending science and art
Physiotherapy is both a science and an art. The science gives us knowledge — anatomy, biomechanics, research, and evidence. The art comes in how that science is applied to each individual horse or person. No two are ever the same.
My work is evidence-informed, grounded in research but guided by feel. Over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes the smallest adjustment, or the quietest moment of understanding, can make the biggest difference.
I often describe myself as a translator rather than a scientist — someone who helps owners and riders understand what the science means for them, and how to apply it in practical, compassionate ways.
Learning with me online
I’m passionate about making professional physiotherapy principles accessible to everyone who cares for a horse. That’s why I created my online learning hub — a space where you can study in your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are in the world.
My online courses and books are designed for horse owners, riders, and professionals who want to support their horse’s well-being, improve performance, and strengthen partnership. They distil years of hands-on experience into structured, easy-to-follow lessons that translate theory into practice.
You’ll learn how to recognise the subtle signs of pain, build strength and balance, and understand your horse’s movement from an evidence-informed perspective. Each programme combines theory and practical with gentle guidance, helping you to build confidence and deepen your relationship with your horse.
My goal is to share knowledge that empowers — helping you take small, meaningful steps toward harmony, health, and happiness for both you and your horse.
Equine physiotherapy — the foundation of my teaching
Everything I teach stems from my hands-on work as a physiotherapist. I’ve been treating horses for over 25 years, combining science, intuition, and experience to support comfort, mobility, and performance.
Equine physiotherapy can help relieve pain and stiffness, improve posture and range of motion, and enhance strength, balance, and stability. It’s also invaluable in rehabilitation after injury or surgery.
I work with horses in Stafford, Staffordshire, and the surrounding areas, and in my weekly clinic near Stourport, Worcestershire, helping them move more freely and comfortably. Whether I’m supporting a high-level competition horse or a much-loved companion, my aim is always to encourage potential, partnership, and performance — in a way that feels right for both horse and human.
Human physiotherapy — helping you move freely too
I also work with people from my home-based clinic in Stafford. Many of my clients are riders, but not all. Some come because they’ve been struggling with discomfort or stiffness, while others see physiotherapy as part of their long-term approach to staying well.
My sessions combine evidence-informed assessment with skilled manual therapy, which remains at the heart of my practice. There’s a unique connection that comes through hands-on work — the sense of listening through touch, of helping the body release tension and rediscover its natural balance.
Many of my clients include physiotherapy alongside activities such as yoga, Pilates, walking, swimming, or cycling. However you choose to move, regular treatment can help maintain mobility, address small issues before they become larger ones, and support overall well-being.
My clinic is a safe, friendly, and calming space — a place where you can pause, breathe, and simply focus on yourself. Many people describe their sessions as a time to reset, both physically and emotionally. That quiet treatment time can be as restorative for the mind as it is for the body.
Common areas I support include the neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees, feet, and hands — but my focus is always on the person as a whole. I look at how you move, rest, and live, because everything is connected.
The philosophy behind it all
Whether I’m working with horses or humans, in person or online, my approach is the same: evidence-informed, proactive, and compassionate.
I believe physiotherapy is most powerful when it empowers. It’s not just about treatment, but about understanding — helping you notice what’s happening, make informed choices, and take an active role in your own or your horse’s health.
That’s why prevention is such an important part of my philosophy. By building strength, stamina, and stability, we can reduce the likelihood of pain and injury and improve overall well-being. The goal is freedom of movement and a deeper sense of harmony between body and mind — whether that body belongs to a horse or a human.
A journey shared
Over the years, I’ve come to see how closely horse and human mirror one another. When a horse moves freely, calmly, and confidently, so does the rider. And when we look after our own health and happiness, our horses feel the benefit too.
My role is simply to guide that process — to help you listen, understand, and respond with compassion. Whether through an online course, a book, or a treatment session, everything I offer is designed to make the science of physiotherapy practical, accessible, and meaningful.
Because when we take care of ourselves and our horses, we create partnerships built on trust, comfort, and joy. And that, to me, is what true harmony looks like.
Every horse deserves to move freely. Every person deserves to feel well. Together, we can make that happen.
Explore my online learning hub for courses and books designed to help you care for your horse with confidence and compassion: https://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk
🌟 About Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio
Sue Palmer MCSP is an award-winning Chartered Physiotherapist, educator, and author. Known for her compassionate, evidence-informed approach, Sue specialises in human health and equine well-being, with a focus on the links between pain and behaviour in horses. She is registered with RAMP, ACPAT, IHA, CSP, and HCPC.
📚 Books include:
• Harmonious Horsemanship (with Dr Sue Dyson)
• Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?
• Horse Massage for Horse Owners
🌐 Learn more at www.thehorsephysio.co.uk
