Advanced Horse Care
Equine husbandry embraces the art and science of horse care. It is about learning and using the best horse management practices - both traditional and modern. To do this well, we must understand all aspects of horse behaviour as well as diseases and disorders that affect horses.
Learn important skills to provide optimal care to horses in all sorts of situations
Study this course to:
- Learn appropriate procedures to manage a horse at grass.
- Understand methods used to prepare horses for specific uses - including their grooming for different tasks.
- Determine different feeds and feed content of grazing animals.
- Gain a deep insight into equine behaviour.
- Develop knowledge of horse breeding (elective).
- Commercial opportunities available in the horse industry.
Benefits of studying this course
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Enrol and commence studying anytime.
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Work at your own pace and focus on things of greater interest to you.
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Great tutors, highly qualified, with years of experience are ready to support you every step of the way.
Through studying this course you will, depending on the electives chosen, be able to describe the procedures for the buying and selling of horses, differentiate between the different procedures used for the handling of horses, evaluate conformation, and understand the digestive system, including structure and function.
Modules
Note that each module in the Certificate in Equine Husbandry is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
Managing Horses is Much More than You might Expect
Having a horse is both an opportunity and a risk. Good horse management is all about maximizing the opportunities and minimizing the risks.
Obviously risks are that an animal can become unfit or even die. Some animals may be extremely valuable, perhaps as a racehorse or breeding animal; and risks may in part be managed by taking out an insurance policy. Proper horse management however, involves far more than simply paying insurance premiums.
Animals need to be fed and exercised properly; inspected regularly and handled in an appropriate way.
This course provides an excellent foundation in all such things.
What is Equine Influenza and how is it Managed?
- Highly contagious respiratory disease of major economic importance.
- Caused by several strains of influenza virus (continuously changing) and spreads rapidly through groups of horses.
- Incubation period is 1 to 5 days and the horse remains infectious for 6-10 days after symptoms have appeared.
Clinical Signs include:
- Elevated temperature (39-41 degrees C) for 1-4 days.
- Watery nasal discharge (may become purulent).
- Harsh, dry cough.
- Enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw.
- Conjunctivitis.
- Depression and loss of appetite.
Treatment
- Rest (preferably outside) until 2 weeks after the clinical signs have disappeared.
- Medication such as bronchodilators and mucolytics and antibiotics (for secondary bacterial infection).
- Serious complications such as heart and liver disease, pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may occur if insufficient rest is given to allow a full recovery before resuming work.
Control of Spread Involves
- Strict hygiene and isolation procedures as it is spread by inhalation of droplets released by coughing and by ingestion of viral particles from discharges on tack, buckets, handlers clothing etc.
- Apparently healthy horses from infected yards should not attend shows etc. as they may be incubating the disease and spread it before overt clinical signs become obvious.
Prevention Relies on Vaccination
Vaccines should be given to every horse in a yard every 6-12 months.
- Pregnant mares one month before foaling.
- Horses who have not been vaccinated in the last 4-6 months when an outbreak occurs (and avoid mixing with other horses for at least 14 days to allow immunity to develop).
- Most competitive equine events require evidence of an up to date vaccination regime.
Who Should Study This Course?
This course is aimed at different people including:
- Stable managers
- Horse breeders
- Stable hands
- Stud farm workers
- Riding school workers
- Veterinary assistants
- Farmers
- Horse owners
Study with ACS to become adept at horse care using industry best practices.
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