A therapist and trainer, who has treated humans and horses, is preparing to open her own dedicated horse and rider rehab centre.

The Elite Equine Therapies centre in Bryneglwys, near Corwen, is due to open in August.

Founder Emma Phillips has worked as a therapist since the age of 18 including being selected to be part of the emergency medical team at the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

Emma had always had an interest in being able to treat both riders and their horses and in recent years has trained to become an equine sports therapist and is studying veterinary physiotherapy.

A keen horsewoman herself, she has ridden horses since childhood.

The rehab centre has been developed on the site of an old Welsh slate barn that Emma bought in 2017.

The barn has been converted into a new home for Emma and her husband with the surrounding land now containing a stable block with six stables, an arena, grazing land and a car park. There is also a dedicated treatment bay and a horse solarium offering infrared therapy.

The centre will provide horses with short- or longer-term stays. Treatments will include hands-on therapy and massage and electrotherapy as well as strength and conditioning in the purpose-built arena.

Emma will work with horses needing both rehab after suffering an injury and pre-hab to help prevent injuries in the future.

Emma also works extensively with riders. Among the riders she has worked with is Para equestrian Laura Goodall who feared she would never be able to ride let alone compete again after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Emma worked intensively with Laura and her horse, helping Laura overcome her challenges with balance and confidence, resulting in her winning gold and silver medals in an international competition in Germany last year representing Para Show Jumping for Great Britain.

In addition to her qualifications as a sports therapist and osteomyologist, Emma also holds a Level 4 Master and GP referral qualification as a Personal Trainer.

Emma said: “I have been treating horses and riders as a mobile service for some time, but my dream has always been to have my own specialist rehab centre in North Wales where I can significantly expand on the services we provide to enable us to treat all aspects of equine and rider care.

“The opening later this summer will be the culmination of three years of hard work. It is hugely satisfying to see the vision I had in 2017 finally become a reality.

“We expect to welcome riders and their horses from across North Wales, Shropshire and the North West of England as well as from other parts of the UK.”

Emma was selected to be part of the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme for ambitious business owners.