AGE 219 - Equine Science

• Use in context terminology employed by those at the management level in the equine industry.
• Describe the nutritional needs and feeding practices of horses throughout their life cycle.
• Explain the reproductive cycles of horses.
• Recognize common diseases in horses and recommend common paths of treatment and prevention.
• Outline the basic decisions facing owners/managers of horses in the context of the life cycle of the horse.
• Explain how to turn handle a horse safely.
• Identify the parts of the horse, colors and markings.
• Demonstrate and explain first aid for horses.
• Tell the age of a horse by its teeth.
• Discuss imprint training in the foal.

Course Objectives

• History and development of the horse.
  • Name the major evolutionary horse-like animal
  • Identify the position of the horse in the zoological scheme - List the four evolutionary trends exhibited by horse fossils
  • Identify the Romans’ influences on the use of the horse.
• Status and future of the horse industry.
  • Describe the rise and fall of the horse population in the United States.
  • Compare the total worldwide distribution of horses, donkeys and mules.
  • Project changes in the horse population in the United States.
  • Name the four general areas of equine research.
• Breeds, types and classes of horses.
  • Describe the use of foundation animals.
  • Understand the concept of breed, types and classifications.
  • List the five color breeds of horses.
  • Name five common breeds of horses in each class.
• Functional anatomy of equine.
  • Explain the functions and identify the components of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, urinary, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, reproductive, and endocrine systems.
  • Name the bones in the foreleg and hind leg.
  • Describe three types of joints.
• The biomechanics of movement.
  • Name the three extensor and three flexor muscles on the hind and front leg.
  • Describe two phases of the stride.
  • Describe the walk, trot, gallop, rack and canter.
  • Distinguish between a blemish and unsoundness.
  • Describe unsoundness and common prevention and treatment.
• Selecting and judging horses.
  • Describe 10 factors to consider when selecting a horse to purchase.
  • Describe costs associated with owning a horse after the initial purchase.
  • List five steps in judging a horse.
  • Understand how changes in teeth show aging signs.
  • Calculate height and weight of a horse.
• Reproduction and breeding.
  • Discuss breeding periods.
  • List the major parts of the male and female reproductive tract.
  • Explain gestation and parturition in horses.
• Digestion and nutrition in horses.
  • Describe the functions of the energy nutrients.
  • Describe the symptoms of energy nutrient deficiencies.
  • Describe the energy needs of horses for all stages of life and work.
  • Describe the functions of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids in horses.
  • Describe how to feed roughages and concentrates.
  • Make feeding recommendations or management suggestions. Calculate the nutrient level of a mixed feed using a feed composition table.
• Health management and parasite control.
  • Discuss different diseases and methods for control.
  • Explain vaccination programs.
  • Describe the life-cycle of a typical parasite.
  • Describe the symptoms of several common diseases and parasites.
• Common management practices.
  • Recognize stress in horses.
  • List methods of pest control.
  • Describe wound types and their proper management.
• Shoeing and hoof care.
  • Describe the internal and external parts of the hoof.
  • Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to corrective shoeing.
  • Explain the importance of inspecting feet daily.
  • Describe the trimming and shoeing process.
• Horse behavior and training.
  • Discuss the role of reinforcement in training.
  • Describe the horse’s senses of vision, touch, smell, and hearing.
  • Discuss how the gregarious nature of horses can influence their training.
  • Analyze the importance of pressure and release training methods.
• Equitation.
  • Name three styles of saddles and describe their uses.
  • Discuss the results of a poorly fitted saddle.
  • Describe the process of saddling and bridling a horse.
  • List the steps for proper mounting of a horse.
  • Describe how to load and haul a horse.
  • Indicate the different safe ways of tying a horse.
• Business aspects and the equine industry.
  • List reasons for keeping records.
  • Distinguish between basic kinds of records.
  • List factors that a lender looks for in a borrower.
  • Describe the importance of sound management practices.