An equine therapist(equiterapeut in Swedish) treats horses with musculoskeletal conditions. Treatment methods are similar to those of a physical therapist, such as mobilization techniques, stretching exercises and training tips. So you could say that an equitherapist is a physiotherapist for horses.
In Sweden, there are several ways to become an equitherapist. If you want to become a licensed physiotherapist who is also recognized in veterinary care, you must first complete the education for physiotherapy. After that, you must have worked as a human physiotherapist for 2 years before you can specialize in horses (and/or dogs).
You can also choose to take a 3-year equine therapy course without having completed the education for physiotherapy for people. This is because the title “animal physical therapist” is not protected in Sweden.
A similar difference also exists between a certified canine physiotherapist and a licensed (legitimerad in Swedish) physiotherapist specializing in dogs.
I did my studies in the Netherlands where animal physiotherapist is a protected jobb title. That means that I studied first to become a physiotherapist for people (4 years). Efter that I continued with the specialization for animal physiotherapy which was both for horses and dogs (2,5 year). Therefore, I use the title animal physiotherapist instead of ”equiterapeut” or dog physiotherapist.