Fundamentals Of Equine Nutrition

Fundamentals Of Equine Nutrition

Are you feeding your horse too much or too little, appropriate rations for his workload or lack of workload? How about supplements? What is needed in relation to your geographical location?

What are the different types of suggested feed programmes for the young horse, old horse, working horse, lactating mare and stallion? The intention of this clinic is to give you guidelines for a balanced feeding programme for horses of different ages and in different disciplines. You will learn to rate the horse's condition, identify plant and feed products as well as formulate and balance the ideal feed programme for horses. An extra day has been added to this course to allow more time for practise in formulating and balancing feed programmes. Gut dissection may be included in the class, either as a live laboratory exercise or through video presentation.

It is important to be able to work with the emotional and psychological state of the horse to achieve good results. In bodywork we often take our own thoughts as well as those of the owner to the horse. We need to be able to read the horse better and handle him without force or gimmicks. Even if you think you have good ground skills with your clients' or your own horses, you will find a mindful approach in this three-day course. Students enrolled in a veterinary or equine science degree course will find this class particularly useful. Over and above everything else some of the exercises are also beneficial in rehabilitation work. We need to be able to read a horse better and handle him without force or gimmicks. Learn how to tactfully explain your intentions to the horse from the ground whether it is during your training session, in-hand work or bodywork session.

This course will give the participant lots of hands-on experience and a better understanding of how the horse is trying to communicate with us. Beside equine behaviour and working out scenarios between the horse and handler, the instructor will also lead students through a variety of exercises that can help overcome the adaptive movement horses often utilize to in the healing process. The groundwork will help with horses recovering from neurological conditions as well as build co¬ordination for the healthy horse. Work over poles and in patterns is useful in hand and under saddle for the follow-up exercise necessary in equine bodywork.