The Open College of Equine Studies

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Equine Business Management

Contents:

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

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

(Op) Equestrian Business Management.  Main requirements of employment law.  Implications of employing and paying staff in the equestrian workplace.  Main requirements of key health and safety legislation and regulations.  Managing health and safety in the equestrian workplace.

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) 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 Stud Management.  Stages of foaling.  Post-natal care of the mare.  Management of the neonate.  Management of stallions and youngstock.

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) Sport Horse Industry.  Development of the sport horse.  Sport horse breeds. Effects of British and European policies on sport horse breeding.  Marketing the sport horse.

(Op) Thoroughbred and Racing Industry.  Development of the Thoroughbred horse.  Structure of the racing industry.  Financial structure of the UK racing industry.  Administrative implications of training racehorses.
   

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