The Open College of Equine Studies

BTEC Higher National Diploma in Equine Science

Content: 

Equine Anatomy.   Structure and function of mammalian cells and tissues.  Structural anatomy.  Body systems. Equine conformation.

Equine Physiology.  Physiological principles.  Systems of maintenance.  Functions of the systems of information and control.  Major metabolic pathways.

Equine Husbandry.  Routine care of the horse.  Structure and functions of the nutrients and the way in which they are metabolised.  Feed rations for specific horses/workloads.

Equine Exercise Physiology, Fitness and Training.  Physiological responses to exercise.  Fittening a horse for a specific discipline.  Effectiveness of fitness programmes.  Preparation of horses for specific disciplines.

Equine Health Management.  Causative agents and routes of transmission for a number of common diseases.  Management of horses in terms of accident, injury and disease prevention.  Principles of equine first aid. Management of the sick horse.

Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation.   Identify lameness in the horse.  Conditions that cause lameness in the horse and the relevant treatments.  Range of therapies to reduce inflammation.  Rehabilitation programmes.

(Op) Equestrian Business Planning.  Business planning.  Producing a business plan for an equestrian business.  Systems of financial recording.  Annual financial statements.

(Op) Sward Management.  Soils. Grass and grassland for equine pasture. Management of grassland.  Pasture management in relation to the equine establishment.

(Op) Work Based Learning 1.  If working with horses, credits can be achieved through completion of a portfolio demonstrating the achievement of set outcomes.

Equine Veterinary Nursing.  Diagnostic techniques used by the veterinary surgeon.  Principles of radiography.  Management of serious wounds and injuries.  Principles of equine anaesthesia.

(Op) Behavioural Science.  Evolution of modern equidae.  Theories and concepts in behavioural science.  Normal behaviour in feral and domesticated horses.  Abnormal behaviour in domesticated horses.

Equine Reproductive Physiology and Technology.  Mechanism of heredity at the organism, population and species level.  Reproductive anatomy and physiology of the mare and stallion and its impact on selection for breeding.  Preparation for covering and covering procedures.  Stages of pregnancy.

(Op) Equine Biomechanics.  Biomechanics of equine locomotion.  Uses and methods of gait analysis.  Biomechanical effects of exercise and exercise-induced injuries.

(Op) Equine Nutrition. Energy sources in the equine diet.  Digestive physiology of the horse.  Nutrient requirements of the horse.  Nature and production of horse feeds.

Equine Science Investigative Project.  The student undertakes an independent project.

Infectious Diseases, Therapy and Immunology.  Infectious diseases in the United Kingdom.  Notifiable and exotic diseases of the horse.  Management of infectious diseases.  Principles of equine immunology.

Important Medical Disorders: Management and Treatment.  Non-infectious diseases in the United Kingdom.  Factors involved in the development of disease. Heritability of disease in the horse.

(Op) Work Based Learning 2.  If working with horses, credits can be achieved through completion of a portfolio demonstrating the achievement of set outcomes.
 

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