Equine (Horse) Wellbeing

This course is to provide sufficient and valid information about the welfare and handling of equines. It will give learners a complete understanding of stable management and hoof care and behavior of the horse.  Equine sports such as riding, jumping, dressage and racing are becoming more popular and thus this course should serve as a thorough introduction for present and future participants to understand better the well-being of their equines. Horse rescue sanctuaries and animal welfare standards are the order of the day and hence the need for trained professionals are also on the rise.

This is a 30 hour course.  Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

This  course  is aimed  to  introduce  the  science of equine health, the trade  of   farriery  and equine anatomy to prospective apprentice and to spread the equestrian general  knowledge to horse  owners, attendants,  riders, equine enthusiasts and all those involved in the horse business.  It is also aiming to eliminate long established myths for the benefit of the horse both in working environment, leisure and competitive events.  This course will focus on the general knowledge of the horse.

Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate basic equine behaviour to ensure its health and well-being

Unit Content

• • Anatomy

• • Skeletal/ muscular/ points of the horse

• • Approaching

• • Catching

• • Restraining

• • Personal Safety and clothing

• • Basic horse handling and safety

• • Tying up

• • Recognising ailments

• • The healthy horse

• • Injuries

• • Lameness

• • Parasites

• • Colic

• • Teeth

• • Harness

• • Saddle

• • Road safety

• • Transportation of horses

• • Safe Loading of horses

• • Reading the horses body language

• • Difficult behaviours and solutions

• • Tellington Touch

• • Rehabilitation of abused, neglected and injured horses

• • Building trust with the horse

• • Equine restrain

Learning Outcome 2: Explain the different feeding and water requirements of equines

Unit Content

• • Feed and water

• • Rules of feeding

• • Types of feed

• • Hay

• • Water

 Learning Outcomes 3: Describe the accommodation needs of horses

Unit Content

• • Stabling/ Shelter/ Paddock

• • Adequate housing and freedom of movement

• • Shelter from the elements

• • Hygiene

• • Bedding

• • Fencing

• • Grooming

• • Why we groom?

• • How to

Learning Outcome 4: Identify the need for suitable hoof care

Unit Content

•    Horseshoe history

•    The hoof

•    Reasons for shoeing

•    Step by step shoeing process

•    Horse shoeing theories

•    Types of shoeing

•    Shoeing mistakes

•    Hoof disease, problems and remedies

•    Different types of shoes

•    Pads

•    Horse conformation

•    Gauges and folklore

•    Visualising horseshoe making process

•    Horse hoof trimming / shoeing practical session

•    Exercise

There are no suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed.

An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be issued, provided that students attend more than 80% of lectures.

There are no summative assessments in this course.

If there is any material required during the course it should be communicated by the lecturer and provided by the learner.