Equine Osteopathic Conversion Course (EOCC)

If you hold a relevant animal degree and have already studied the fundamentals of equine manual therapy, such as health and safety, professional studies, equine handling, equine osteology, arthrology and myology etc., and have worked therapeutically with horses for several years in clinical practice, you may be eligible to apply for the Equine Osteopathic Conversion Course.

Timeframe allowed for completion: Maximum 6 months, and once complete, the student must attend the next available year two course (with practicums in the location of their preference – UK or Denmark)

Becoming a EOCC student, offers you the opportunity to bypass some content in AOI’s Academic Pathway. This is typically because you are already an experienced animal practitioner (such as an ACPAT physio, IAVC chiropractor, or a Vet Physio with a degree background and over a year in practice), competently using many of the techniques taught on year one of the Diploma Programme.

AOI sees no benefit forcing an established practitioner to revisit knowledge, assessments and treatments that they use in everyday practice, but if you have only just qualified, you may not be accepted (onto the EOCC) because our Level two Diploma Programme assumes that practitioners are comfortable and competent at working in clinical practice and are proficient in their techniques. 

The conversion process is as follows:

  1. Students of the Equine Osteopathic Conversion Course must first study relevant modules from year one of the AOI Diploma Programme. These are taken online in your own time, so students must have a desktop or laptop computer and a stable internet connection.
  2. Once completed the student is invited to a meeting with the Programme Director who will talk through the assessment process with you. This ensures clarity and likely success. 
  3. The student is then asked to produce evidence of a working case history and video assessments to provide evidence of their clinical proficiency.  
  4. If evidence is not demonstrated, the student will be asked to complete the rest of year one before proceeding to year two of the Diploma. Fees apply. 
  5. Once successfully completed, the conversion course student can join the next available year two cohort – UK or Denmark (as applicable, and space allows). If the student wants to book onto a specific cohort or location in advance of the EOCC completion, they must pay a 10% non-refundable deposit to hold a place. 

Modules included in the Conversion Course: 

Module 1 Osteopathic Studies – Part I;

Module 2 Equine Perception and Communication; 

Module 4 Osteopathic Case History Taking;

Module 6 Osteopathic Articulation – theory and application;

Module 9  Functional anatomical integration of the equine patient; 

Module 14 Osteopathic integration of the whole patient;

Module 15 Osteopathic case-based discussion.

Conversion course students are also expected to complete a short online course (written by Bettina Hvidemose) on Equine Learning theory, unless they can provide evidence that they hold a valid qualification in this topic already. This is part of the bundle you will receive, as part of the conversion course and you will be expected to complete it before the conversion course can be passed. 

Module 11 (soft tissue) and Module 12 (stretching) are also available at additional cost. We advise these modules to any conversion student that isn’t using these techniques in practice, as they are expected knowledge in year two of the AOI Diploma. Ask us for more details. 

In addition to the above, EOCC students must take all Year One quizzes online (which have a pass mark of 70%). This will allow you (and AOI) to evaluate your level of understanding and learning. 

Once all aspects of the EOCC have been successfully completed, the student will be offered a place on the next level two cohort – that being year two of the Diploma Programme.

In the event the student shows weakness in certain areas of their assessment or treatment skills (that will undermine their chances of success in year two of the Diploma), they will be asked to undertake additional modules of online study and/or attend elements of the year one practicum. non-negotiable, because we have to make sure that our year two students are not disrupted by conversion course students who need spacial attention. If the student fails the EOCC they will be asked to complete the rest of year one, before commencing to year two. 

If you wish to check the entry criteria for Year Two, click HERE

Applying and joining the EOCC

  1. First check the entry criteria for the EOCC, which can be found via this LINK
  2. If you do fulfil entry criteria to year two (level two), then you are welcome to apply for the EOCC conversion course. We suggest that you are explicit about your qualifications and experience, as certificates alone are not enough. We are looking for good solid qualifications and clinical experience.  
  3. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be informed if your applicable has been successful. 
  4. If you have been offered a place you will be sent an invoice for £850.00 (exc. VAT). This is non-refundable. 
  5. In the event you hold a qualification in Equine Learning Theory, and don’t need to take it again, we will deduct the cost of Bettina’s course and remove access. 
  6. You can start the course as soon as you have paid. 
  7. You will be connected with your fellow level one students, to ensure you don’t feel alone whilst studying. 
  8. You will have access to the Student Support Manager throughout, in case you have questions. 
  9. You have 6-months to complete the course, assessments included. 
  10. If you are required to attend or complete additional elements of year one, fees will apply. 

If you just have a simple question or want an application form, Email us today and we will do whatever we can to help. 

Email Us Today

Would you like to talk to someone before you apply?

We are also very happy to talk to prospective students about this course. However, we do ask that if you book a session, you keep the appointment and that you first read the website, because your answers maybe there. Select your date and session time below.