Equine Educational Unit

 

Course Outcomes

Tess

ANS 216

Cr. 3. F. S Prereq: AnS 101 or 114; one course in biology. Introduction to contemporary concepts, and basic practices and decisions necessary when managing horses through stages of their lives.

Equine Science is a lecture/laboratory course designed  to increase the student’s knowledge of horses and the basics of the horse industry.  The primary objectives are (1) to familiarize & expand the students knowledge of the anatomy of the horse (2) to familiarize the student with predicting serviceability of a horse (3) to familiarize the student with the digestive system and feeding programs for horses (4) to become adept in developing health maintenance programs for horses (5) to become familiar with barn design and requirements (6) to understand well-being issues concerning the horse, and (7) to learn terminology used in the equine industry.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to

  • Recognize terminology used in the equine industry.

  • Describe the nutritional needs and feeding practices of horses throughout their life cycle.

  • Describe the reproductive cycle of horses.

  • Recognize common diseases in horses and recommend common paths of treatment and prevention.

  • Describe the facility and waste management concerns of horses.

  • Outline the basic decisions facing owners/managers of horses in the context of the life cycle of the horse.

  • Turn out, catch and lead a horse safely.

  • Tie a horse with a quick release knot at the proper length.

  • Groom a horse, using currycomb, body brush, sponge, hoof pick and tail brush.

  • Pick up front and hind feet safely and correctly.

  • Identify the parts of the horse, colors and markings.

  • Understand color genetics

  • Take a horse’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate

  • Demonstrate and explain first aid for horses.

  • Tell the age of a horse by its teeth.

  • Determine the height and weight of horses

  • Identify and explain the three basic gaits of horses

 

ANS 217

217 Field Trip

Cr. 2. F.Prereq: Student majoring in Animal Science, An S 115 or riding experience, An S 216 or concurrent. Intensified management of the equine farm. Provide students with experiential learning in all phases of horse production and management. Students assist with general farm management, preparing horses for sale, marketing techniques and web design.

Equine practicum is a “hands-on” course to learn the technical, scientific, and practical aspects of equine management practices as pertaining to individual horses and horses maintained in a group setting.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to . .

  • Demonstrate safety procedures when working around a horse

  • Demonstrate how to turn out, catch and lead a horse safely.

  • Demonstrate how to tie a horse with a quick release knot at the proper length.

  • Groom a horse, using currycomb, body brush, sponge, hoof pick and tail brush.

  • Pick up front and hind feet safely and correctly. Pick out and apply hoof dressing.

  • Trim a horse’s head, muzzle, ears, bridle path and legs.

  • Understand how to size a horse for a blanket & blanket a horse Remove and put on sheets and/or blankets correctly.

  • Prepare a horse for transportation in a safe manner in accordance with safety standards.

  • Check health of horse for any signs of illness and injury

  • Apply restraints to horses

  • Describe and apply techniques used to prepare horses for sale.

  • Develop a promotion and marketing plan for sale horses and breeding stallions

  • Design advertisements for sale horses and breeding stallions

  • Read and interpret registration forms and papers

  • Feed and water horse on a regular schedule and be aware of eating habits of the horse

  • Visit equine farms to review management techniques

  • Demonstrate using HIMARKS (Horse Income Management Record Keeping) software

 

ANS 306

Judging Horses

Cr 3. S. Detailed visual evaluation of conformation and performance of the equine athlete. Decision-making skills are practiced in the context of making selection choices. Development of written and oral communication skills as students defend their judgements. Industry trends will be addressed

Judging Horses is a course designed to 1) develop the students’ ability to objectively evaluate horses on conformation and way of going, 2) expand the students’ understanding of a variety of performance events, 3) increase the students’ use of equine terminology and industry jargon, 4) improve the students’ organizational skills and 5) cultivate confidence in speaking in order to defend their judgment of a class of horses.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to . . .

  • Recognize and evaluate balance, quality, structural correctness and muscling in the horse

  • Relate form to function in the context of how a horse’s conformation relates to it’s performance

  • Speak and write with a variety of descriptive terminology and correct grammar

  • Understand current scoring systems for judged event classes

  • Effectively communicate his/her opinion using industry terminology

  • Make detailed observations

  • Specifically and comparatively analyze classes of horses based on the breed association standard

  • Take more productive notes helpful in remembering

  • Justify or defend a decision, either written or oral, using facts and careful observation

  • Describe and employ evaluation techniques commonly used to make selection and marketing decisions

  • Appreciate and recognize quality in a wide range of equestrian events including but not limited to halter, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, huntseat equitation, reining, trail, western riding, hunter hack, working hunter, roping, and pleasure driving

 

ANS 316

Little Bear

Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 115, or ability to walk, trot and canter. Modifying the behavior of the horse for performance objectives through bitting, longeing, saddling, and riding

Equine practicum is a “hands-on” course to learn the technical, scientific, and practical aspects of equine management practices as pertaining to individual horses and horses maintained in a group setting.

 

 

Outcomes for all sections

  • Describe and interpret the horse’s behavior to include Learning, motivation, social behavior and communication with techniques to improve the safety and understanding between people and horses.

  • Understand normal and abnormal horse behaviors as it applies to training a horse

  • Know the different types of reinforcement and how they apply to the psychology of training the horse.

  • Understand how to develop a stimulus into a desired response or cue. Appreciate the importance as well as how social hierarchy affects communication with the horse.

Section A Outcomes

  • Halter breaking

  • Demonstrate how to halter and lead a weanling or yearling safely

  • Demonstrate the ability to set-up a horse.

  • Groom a horse, using currycomb, body brush, hoof pick and tail brush.

  • Specifically show the correct body position when handling

Section B Outcomes

  • Apply safe ground handling techniques when working with horses

  • Groom a horse, using currycomb, body brush, hoof pick and tail brush.

  • Apply and demonstrate correct body position when handling and longing horses

  • Confidently demonstrate lunging and ground driving a horse

  • Demonstrate the use of training equipment including splint boots, stable bandages, shipping bandages, standing martingale, running martingale, breastplate or breast collar

Section C Outcomes

  • Collect, analyze and critically evaluate information, regarding the behavior of the horse before mounting, riding and dismounting a horse in an enclosed area. 

  • Organize and manage oneself and one’s activities responsibly and effectively during the mounting, riding and dismounting of an untrained horse in an enclosed area. 

  • Demonstrate the correct body position at the walk, jog(trot), lope(canter) on an untrained horse

  • Demonstrate the use of natural aids: voice, hands, legs and seat.

  • Demonstrate the ability to maneuver a horse

  • Understand the rein aids – leading, neck rein, direct rein, indirect rein

  • Understand how a horse perceives and interacts with its environment, and use this understanding for training and management.

 

ANS 415

April

Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 216, 319, 331. Application of advanced horse management – nutrition, reproduction, exercise physiology and business. Computer-aided management. Explore topics of current concern in the horse industry. Computer aided study. Nonmajor graduate credit.

This senior course teaches management techniques. Students learn computer-aided management of horse operations, business issues such as liability and insurance, nutritional management of horses including evaluation of rations, and current concepts in reproductive management of horses. On average, 40 students take the class in the spring.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to . . .

  • Develop a comprehensive business plan for an equine facility.

  • Analyze net operating income and expenses for an equine facility.

  • Assess tax status and procedures associated with a equine enterprise

  • Use a variety of resources to draw generalizations/conclusions/recommendations on current issues in the horse industry.

  • Distinguish genetic, metabolic and infectious diseases of horses

  • Assess options to prevent and/or provide therapy and treatment of genetic, metabolic and infectious diseases of horses.

  • Demonstrate and utilize breeding techniques used in horses.

  • Formulate rations used for horses throughout their life cycle.

  • Assess the effectiveness of marketing programs for equine enterprises.

  • Body condition score a horse

  • Develop and implement a herd health program

 

ANS 417

Mare Foaling

Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 216, 331, 415 or concurrent and permission of instructor. Practical application of managing a breeding farm including servicing the mare, handling stallions, breeding problems, and foaling mares

Equine Reproduction exposes students to all aspects of the equine breeding industry. During the lecture portion students learn the basics of the breeding industry; stallion and broodmare care, management and reproductive anatomy; breeding and foaling procedures; and hormone cycles of the stallion and mare. The lab section of this course gives students the chance to participate in all of the activities studied in lecture and learn how a breeding operation functions. Students learn how to handle mares and stallions in the breeding shed; how to examine semen; how to interpret estrous cycles in mares; how to breed mares by artificial insemination; and how to handle mares and foals.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to . . .

  • Analyze methods for the preparation of stock for the breeding season

  • Assess management systems for the care of the mare and stallion and develop appropriate choices in order to maximize the chances of fertilization.

  • Apply management techniques in the management of the pregnant mare

  • Demonstrate and utilize breeding techniques used in horses to include hand-breeding and artificial insemination

  • Demonstrate how to analyze stallion semen and prepare semen for cooled, shipment

  • Demonstrate preparing a mare to foal, foaling management techniques and post-natal care of the foal.

  • Diagnose common reproductive disorders in horses.

  • Develop specific goals for a breeding program.

  • Demonstrate using HIMARKS (Horse Income Management Record Keeping) software

 

ANS 475

State fair

Cr. 1-2. Repeatable. F.S. Prereq: permission of instructor. Specialized training in evaluation and grading of livestock, livestock products, and livestock production management plans. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward graduation.

Judging Horses is a course designed to 1) expand the students’ ability to objectively evaluate horses on conformation and way of going, 2) develop the students’ understanding of a variety of performance events, 3) increase the students’ use of equine terminology and industry jargon, 4) improve the students’ organizational skills and 5) cultivate confidence in speaking in order to defend their judgment of a class of horses.

Student Learning Outcomes defined for this course answer the question: After completing this course, students will be able to . .

  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and evaluate balance, quality, structural correctness and muscling in the horse

  • Relate form to function in the context of how a horse’s conformation relates to it’s performance

  • Comfortably speak to industry representatives using a variety of descriptive terminology and correct grammar

  • Score and critique judged performance events using breed association scoring systems in a contest setting

  • Effectively communicate an opinion orally using industry terminology in a contest setting

  • Make decisions under pressure using knowledge of the horse and equine events

  • Specifically and comparatively analyze classes of horses based on the breed association standard

  • Confidently judge small classes of halter and performance horses

  • Confidently justify or defend a decision, either written or oral, using facts and careful observation of the horses

  • Recognize the positive aspects of a horse’s conformation or performance and reward excellence.