The Open College of Equine Studies

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Rehabilitation

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.

(Op) 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.

(Op) 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.

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

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.

(Op) Initial Training of Young Horses.  Daily handling of the yearling.  Long-reining the young horse.  Lungeing the young horse. Different methods of backing. Training programmes for youngsters following backing.

(Op) Theory of Learning and Application to the Training of Horses.  Development of modern training techniques, including classical and traditional European horsemanship.  Correlation between different training techniques and the way in which horses learn.   “Natural Horsemanship” techniques.  Range of training techniques.

(Op) Equine Welfare.  Key equine welfare/ethical concerns in the United Kingdom.  International equine welfare issues.  Demands, risks and welfare issues associated with competitive equestrian sports.  Influence of organisations and legislation on equine welfare.

Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Rehabilitation Investigative Project.  The student undertakes an independent project.
 

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