Overview

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Academic contacts

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Offerings

MURDOCH-S2-FACE2FACE-2025-ONGOING

Requisites

Other learning activities

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Learning activities

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Learning outcomes

1.

Apply and communicate knowledge of equine health, best practice management and nutrition of horses, and the principles underpinning these recommendations

2.

Demonstrate proficiency in identifying anatomical landmarks and introductory clinical assessment, including in the context of diagnosis and animal management and care.

3.

Apply knowledge to solve and manage problems associated with management and health of horses including in the context of diagnostic planning, animal management and care, and promoting health  

4.

Demonstrate effective communication with stakeholders in writing, including in the context of consultation, animal management and care, and promoting health.

5.

Demonstrate professional conduct through compliance with relevant policies for the university and accrediting bodies

Assessments

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Additional information

Unit content:

1. Introduction to horse management, animal handling and safety. Describe the safe handling practices when working with horses in a variety of practical situation and demonstrate practical competence when handling horses. Use the appropriate nomenclature to describe the identification of the horse (including height, colour, age, breed, and markings). Describe the key aspects required to provide a safe working environment in the equine industry.  

2. Equine anatomy, conformation, soundness and the foot. Describe the normal conformation of the horse and identify the potential consequences of conformational abnormalities. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the foot and techniques involved in shoeing a horse to manage a variety of common equine hoof/limb conditions is required. Students should be able to describe the approach to the lameness examination and management of common equine musculoskeletal injuries.

3. Reproduction. Acquire detailed knowledge of the normal physiology of the equine male and female reproductive systems. Describe the management of the mare and stallion to maximise breeding efficiency, including assisted breeding techniques. Management of the periparturient mare and newborn foal.

4. Equine management. To describe in detail the appropriate conditions to house horses (indoors and outdoors) and appropriate management of horses to minimise intestinal parasitism and maintain adequate dental care, including the consequences of poor management. To describe common equine infectious diseases and methods of preventing infection, including appropriate vaccination regimes. To describe appropriate biosecurity measures for horses and disaster management.

5. Nutrition and gastrointestinal health. To demonstrate knowledge of the normal anatomy and physiology of the equine gastrointestinal system and the nutrient requirements of horses. Explain the pathogenesis of equine colic and describe how colic can be managed, treated and prevented. Recognise the different feeds used to feed horses and be able to describe the methods used to manufacture different feeds. Describe diets that are appropriate for horses of different breeds, ages and exercise regimes. Describe diets that are appropriate for the management of common equine diseases and the prevention of equine nutritional diseases.

6. Exercise physiology and training. Describe the physiology and training strategies used in the training of horses for different disciplines. Describe common problems associated with travelling horses for competition and ways in which these problems can be treated or minimised. Describe the role of the Federation for Equestrian Sports.