As Director of the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury, Kathryn oversees commercial, teaching and research activity within the Centre.  Set up in 1999, the Centre offers rehabilitation for horses recovering from limb lameness and/or back pain using a multi-disciplinary approach.  The Centre also provides water treadmill exercise as part of the training programmes of dressage and event horses, which included the London and Rio Olympic Gold medallist, Valegro. 

She is co-author, with Dr David Marlin of ‘Equine Exercise Physiology’ and she completed a DPhil on the subject of ‘Physiology and Biomechanics relating to Equine Physical Therapy’ in 2013.  She lectures on equine therapy and exercise physiology at Post Graduate level, and has contributed to M.Sc. Veterinary Physiotherapy programmes at the Royal Veterinary College, Liverpool University and Hartpury University.  Her research work has focused on water treadmill exercise in horses; particularly the effects on limb and back movement and she co-authored 'Guidelines for Water Treadmill Use' as part of the Equine Hydrotherapy Advisory Panel. She is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Equine Rehabilitation. She is also active in research work aimed at improving the general level of saddlery fit for horse and rider.

PhD Completions:

Dynamic technique of the female equestrian rider. Celeste Wilkins 2021.

Male reproductive trends in the novel equine model: investigations into anthropogenic environmental chemical exposure. Imogen Harris 2022

The biomechanical interaction between saddle, rider and the horse's back. Isabeau Deckers 2024 

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Current Supervisions:
Investigation of the synching of rider kinematics with horse kinematics during take off when show jumping 1.30m plus. 2022-2025

Can a riding simulator be used to identify seated postural balance, and develop a framework to assess responses to hippotherapy in children with movement impairment? 

The interrelationship between optimal saddle fit and horse health, welfare, and performance.