Business Q&A: Sarah Heaton, Equine Physiotherapy

For the latest in our series of weekly Business Q&As, we spoke to Sarah Heaton of Sarah Heaton Veterinary Physiotherapy in Beckwithshaw.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.

I specialise in treating horses that have had an injury or need help with their mobility, especially performance horses such as racehorses, eventers, and showjumpers.

What does it require to be successful in business?

It's important to know where your client base is. I used to treat dogs, but now I specialise in horses, so I site myself at events where I know there'll be horsey people, such as the Bramham Horse Trials.

In my line of work, you also need to have a good manner with the horses. I have more than 30 years' experience with horses, so I can read them and their behaviour really well.

I started working with horses at the age of 16, when I was employed by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Bolton Abbey. I went into veterinary nursing in 2006 and then set up my physiotherapy business in 2014.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I'm just really passionate about horses. Seeing them recover from injury and helping them get better is just brilliant.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months?

Covid was obviously a big thing, and the cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll now. Horses need certain things regularly – their feet need to be looked at every six weeks, and their teeth yearly. But if money is tight, physiotherapy is often the first thing to be put off till later.

It can also be hard juggling everything as a working mum. We have a 1,000-head dairy farm, so my partner is often out for long hours.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

I admire some of the local vet's practices, such as Bishopton Vets in Ripon.

Windmill Retreats at Kettlesing are also doing well. They've had a few setbacks along the way, but seem to be doing well now.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I don't know. Living at Beckwithshaw and being out working a lot, I sometimes feel a little out of the Harrogate loop.

I spend a lot of time on the farm and with clients across Yorkshire, Cumbria, and further afield.

What could be done locally to boost business?

The government should do more to publicise what help there is available for small businesses. I'm looking to buy a machine that would be really beneficial for my business, but I don't want to set myself up with a financial arrangement that I can't sustain, but I've no idea what help might be available.

Best and worst things about running a business from Beckwithshaw?

The best thing is some of the facilities that are available locally, such as the Harrogate Riding Centre and the Yorkshire Riding Centre. The Great Yorkshire Show is a massive thing for us, and Bramham is nearby too, so we're well placed.

The worst is that there are a lot of physios based locally, so there's too much competition.

What are your business plans for the future?

I just want to carry on doing what I'm doing and building up my client base.

I absolutely love what I do. It's not like a job – it's the least stressful part of my day.

My grand plan is to get that radio frequency therapy machine I mentioned earlier, as that would potentially help me to treat more horses in a day.

What do you like to do in your time off?

Time off – what's that?!

I like to spend time with my little girl and with my dogs. I have three working gun dogs and a Jack Russell who's supposed to be a ratter but catches more spiders than anything else.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

The Nelson Inn on the A59 just outside Harrogate does the best Sunday dinner ever.

If you know someone in business in the Harrogate district and you'd like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.