AP3A98-Equine Science and Management

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Part 2 of BSc Animal Science, BSc Agriculture
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AP3A100 Equine Science
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Kate Johnson
Email: k.f.johnson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

What makes a horse a natural athlete? How do we use our understanding of nutrition and metabolism to plan equine diets and manage horse health? Explore these questions and more in this module, and gain a critical understanding of nutrition and feeding, health, exercise and reproductive physiology, behaviour and welfare of horses. You’ll learn through lectures and seminars in the autumn term. In the spring term, you’ll develop your ability to apply your equine knowledge, critically discuss topical issues and construct management plans for horses in a range of settings. You’ll learn through seminars, field visits and guided study in the spring term. Students selecting this module who have not previously taken animal nutrition modules (AP1A18 or AP2A67) will be required to undertake additional background reading prior to the Autumn Term.

Aims:

This module ties together both theoretical and practical elements of equine science and equine management. In the Autumn Term (module Part 1), the module is designed to enable students to build on and apply their existing scientific knowledge of physiology, nutrition and behaviour, to horses and the discipline of equine science. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between the growing knowledge of equine biology, and its impact on equine management and performance, particularly in the area of equine nutrition. The second part of the course, in the Spring Term (module Part 2), focuses on building student understanding of evidence based approaches to key management issues within the equine industry including the health and welfare of equines. It also provides an opportunity for students to develop skills in practical assessment of horses and their environments. Students are not required to have previous experience with horses to successfully complete this module.

Assessable learning outcomes:

After Part 1 of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate nutritional requirements, factors influencing choice of diet and pathologies associated feeding practices in horses, in the context of their origins, digestive physiology and metabolism.


• Describe and evaluate the physiology of the horse in relation to reproduction and to exercise, training and athletic performance. Discuss the management of horses to op timise breeding and athletic performance.


• Describe and discuss communication and social behaviour in equids and apply this to develop welfare assessments for equids. Critically evaluate the origins, consequences and management of problem behaviourÌý

After Part 2 of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• Critically discuss challenges facing the equine industry; argue possible management strateg ies and solutions, to include consideration of ethical, socioeconomic and welfare issues


• Critically review current research on equine health and welfare issues and construct evidence based management plans to address these issues

Additional outcomes:

The following employability/transferrable skills will be developed:

• Experience of communicating science in a written style suitable for the lay audience


• Contextual thinking skills


• Critical appraisal of literature


• Building arguments


• Independent working

Students will improve their Global engagement and multi-cultural awareness through understanding the role of working equids in different cultures.

Through the Spring Term visits, students will:

• Gain some broader insight into the equestrian facilities provided at different equine establishments, and aspects of the work of some equine businesses and/or charities.


• Put knowledge gained in Part 1 of the module into a practical context.Ìý


• Develop practical skills in the safe handling and physical asse