Equine Science (Level 3)
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You made studying a lot less daunting an experience than that you first expect and all the staff are helpful.
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Course
Distance
Description
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Type
Course
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Methodology
Distance Learning
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Class hours
200h
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Duration
12 Months
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Start date
Different dates available
Animal nutritionists use their scientific knowledge to advise on the effect of diet on animal health and wellbeing
Your role as an animal nutritionist is to promote a better understanding of the effect of diet on the health, wellbeing and productivity of animals. You’ll be most active in the field of agriculture, where you’ll provide advice and information on animal nutrition and design and evaluate the diets of the animals in question.
You may also be involved in the production of food for zoo and companion animals (pets) and may give advice on issues related to feeding them. Some animal nutritionists choose to specialise in one type of animal.
Types of Animal Nutrition work
You could work in a variety of settings, including:
* animal charities
* animal welfare organisations
* freelance – working for individuals and commercial businesses
* government – advising on public health projects
* research institutions, including laboratories and universities
* the animal feed industry.
Important information
Price for Emagister users: You are saving € 100 buying this course as a package.
You must have one of the following qualification levels to take this course: A Level, BTEC, HND or HNC, NVQ (Level 1-5), Bachelor's Degree, Professional Diploma, Masters, Ph.D
Facilities
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Start date
Start date
About this course
The Equine Science course delves into a comprehensive understanding of horse care, covering a wide array of topics crucial for equine management. Learners explore anatomy and physiology specific to horses, understanding their behavior, health, and nutritional needs. The course delves into the principles of horse training, stable management, and the importance of appropriate exercise regimens. Participants gain insights into common equine ailments, preventive care, and first aid techniques. Moreover, it covers essential aspects of breeding, reproduction, and the broader equine industry, providing a holistic understanding of the world of horses.
The Equine Science course is tailored for individuals passionate about horses and seeking a comprehensive understanding of equine care. It caters to aspiring equestrians, equine enthusiasts, or professionals aiming to broaden their knowledge in horse management. This program suits those pursuing careers in equine health, stable management, or even those seeking to enhance their expertise in horse care practices. Whether you're an equine novice or someone already involved in the equestrian field, this course equips you with valuable insights and practical skills essential for the welfare and management of horses.
The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Equine Science and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.
Level 3 Equine Science Diploma
All online textbooks, study guides, and learning aids designed for online learning. A full range of student services, including 12 months tutor access. Free Open Learning College branded promotional item when you enrol. A personalised award upon course completion with unlimited educational support. PDF or hardcopy certificate to show employers (employer has access to certificate validation) Life-time access to Xperience™ our innovative, interactive Student Hub. Life-time access to Career Hub our dedicated portal to support our students career aspirations. Learning for Life Pack. Invitation to job fairs and career days for your business faculty.
Reviews
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You made studying a lot less daunting an experience than that you first expect and all the staff are helpful.
← | →
Course rating
Recommended
Centre rating
George AK
This centre's achievements
All courses are up to date
The average rating is higher than 3.7
More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months
This centre has featured on Emagister for 16 years
Subjects
- Physiology
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Food Science
- Equine Science
- Animal Behaviour
- Blacksmith
- Animal Nutrition
- Veterinary
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Biology
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology
- Anatomy and Physiology
Teachers and trainers (1)
Support Advisor
Support Advisor
Course programme
- This unit provides a foundation for the rest of the course with the simple question of what is science and where does the study of horses fit into this wider context. It introduces the branches of science by covering how we classify organisms or Taxonomy. Then the building blocks called cells, their Biochemistry and how they reproduce is studied. Where horses fit into the group called mammal, their internal systems and how they fit into the external environment is explored. The chemistry of the equine environment ends this unit.
- A greater and in-depth look at some of the physiological systems that are common to all mammals such as the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, immune and the sensory organs, and the endocrine system are investigated. This unit is equine specific and covers the anatomy of the horse or the structure of its body, and physiology, or the study of how these structures function so how a horse transports food or fights infection. It covers all the points of the horse and the correct terminology for describing organs and regions of the body.
- An understanding of genetics is necessary in the breeding of horses. The terminology of genetics from a scientific viewpoint and the evolution and history of how horses have developed as a species is explored. The early theories of inheritance and evolution, such as natural selection and sexual selection is discussed. Current knowledge of the basic principles of heredity, how inheritable traits are passed from parent to offspring is addressed. The reproduction of genetic information, the replication of DNA and mutations that arise during replication, and how these alter the genetic instructions to cause genetic disorders in the horse, and how these can be predicted using knowledge of how genes are passed on is investigated. How horses differ genetically from other equines such as zebras and donkeys, and why these species cannot interbreed or why their offspring are sterile is explored. Finally the technology that can help identify common genetic disorders is investigated.
- Moving on from genetics, the physiology of reproduction and the care of the new-born foal is introduced here by looking at the reproductive anatomy of the mare and stallion. The oestrus cycle of the mare, conception and early development of the pregnancy is studied. The different methods of insemination, including natural and artificial methods, the procedure of embryo transfer and why this might be used is discussed. The development of the unborn foal, the process of foaling, the stages of birth and the neonatal period, including the importance of the colostrum the foal receives from its mother, and any problems associated with any of these stages is looked at to help horses have successful reproduction and early growth.
- Nutrition is more than simply consuming food, it is the science of food and of nourishing the body. Equines have very particular nutritional requirements, and delicate digestive systems. In many cases horses are also used as performance animals, and so the science of correct nutrition is particularly important to maximise their performance. In order to remain healthy, horses must be fed correctly, often involving supplements. The structure and function of the equine digestive system and how it differs from some other mammals is studied. The factors that can affect the type and amount of feed a horse requires such as breeding, lactation, age is covered. Monitoring the effectiveness of a diet is explored and understanding what is meant by condition scoring is important otherwise it leads to health problems associated with incorrect feeding, and disorders that are linked to nutritional deficiencies or excess intake of nutrients.
- Every horse will experience illness at some point in its life, and it is necessary for anyone working with horses to have knowledge of the signs of health and the signs of a horse suffering from disease. The common diseases associated with equines are usually caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, and the differences between these together with reasons why they may occur are discussed. The main internal and external parasites that affect the horse and how they may cause disease is discussed. The clinical signs and modes of transmission of the main infectious diseases affecting the equine, and how the risks can be reduced are explored. The signs of some degenerative diseases, such as chronic lameness conditions are listed. The signs associated with some diseases where the exact cause is yet unknown, and details of current research being carried out into their likely cause is shown.
- Equine diseases and the medical care of horses is carried out by the equine branch of veterinary science. This has changed tremendously in recent years, has specific law, and this unit provides an overview of the principles of veterinary medicine, and its aims, and a history of how veterinary medicine developed. The preventive, diagnostic and curative veterinary medicine for various equine diseases is explored. How it tackles equine injuries e.g. a fracture and how these are treated using veterinary technology and how it is used in practice is discussed.
- A whole branch of equine psychology has been developed. Why horses behave the way they do is discussed by a fascinating look at the reasons behind many of the behaviours expressed by the horse. It covers ethology, the study of horses in their natural environment, and examines the science behind behaviour. The main learning theories cover the areas of the brain associated with various aspects of behaviour and the reasons why horses do what they do in the natural environment. Stereotypical behaviour, including box-walking, weaving and crib biting and the science behind why the horse might develop these problems is investigated.
- Horses naturally developed to outrun their predators and whether they are used in the equestrian disciplines or for leisure can be considered as athletes, and knowledge of the scientific aspects of exercise physiology is necessary to help horses work, keep them healthy and to get the best performance from them. The main equestrian disciplines such as racing, endurance and eventing, and their effects on the horse’s body are investigated. The effects of exercise on the musculoskeletal system, thermoregulation or the way in which the horse keeps cool during exercise and Biomechanics – how the horse moves during exercise is studied.
- The equine industry is extremely large and growing as it includes the use of horses for leisure and the use of horses for competition. It pulls together much of the knowledge gained in previous units, as it looks at the ways science is entwined within the equine industry as a whole. The way research into science and technology is having an effect on the way horses in the present day are managed, and the likely developments for the future are investigated. A new product that may become available, for example nutritional products or new veterinary drugs, and the development of tack or equipment to improve the life of the horse or its performance is examined. Some of the products available for the rider and how science is implicated in the development of these products is shown.
Additional information
Equine Science (Level 3)