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HORSE CARE I BAG102

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment
Learn Horse Care Online
  • Developed and delivered by a group of trained equine ands veterinary experts
  • Flexible, self paced, practical with learning undertaken both at your desk and in the field.

Scope of course in a nutshell:

  • Learn how to keep a horse at grass
  • Understand how to handle horses.
  • Learn about the equine industry.
  • Learn from our highly knowledge equine studies tutors. 

It's easy to enrol...

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COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

The Horse Care I course comprises 7 lessons as outlined, below.

1. Horse psychology and handling
The early horse
Survival mechanisms of the early horse
The modern horse - behaviour and memory
Using psychology to handle horses
Catching and leading horses
Fitting the bridle and saddle
Tying up a horse
Safety rules

2. Buying a horse
Temperament
Size
Weight carrying ability
Age
Equine dentition and ageing
Glossary of terms
Dentition diagrams and detailed explanation
Colour and markings
Breeds

3. Conformation
The shape of the skeleton
Body proportions and parts
Conformation problems
How to describe conformation

4. The digestive system and principles of feeding and watering
The digestive System
The alimentary canal
The Stomach
The small intestine
The large intestine
Absorption of food
Groups of food nutrients
The composition of some common horse feeds
The principles of watering
The principles of feeding
Feeding concentrates and roughages
Feeding groups of horses at one time

5. The grass kept horse and pasture management
Advantages and disadvantages of working off grass
Paddock size and minimum area needed
Types of fencing
The water supply
Shelter
Fodder trees
General management of the grass-kept horse
Management in summer
Management in winter
Exercise
Grooming the grass-kept horse
Conservation of the land
Keeping horses at grass on small areas
Roughing off and turning a horse out

6. Grooming
The skin - epidermis, dermis, the coat
How the skin regulates body temperature
Reasons for grooming
Grooming tools
Grooming techniques - strapping, sponging, brushing
Using a stable rubber, dealing with stable stains on grey coats
Oiling the feet
Quartering
Setting Fair/Brushing off
Washing the mane and tail
Washing the sheath
Shampooing the horse

7. Industry Applications
Resources
Writing resumes - employment readiness
Competition horses (overview) - event horse, dressage horse, show jumper, endurance
Educating Horses
Breeding
Farm planning
Short term operations
Farm business structures
Quality management systems
Whole farm planning
Preparing a farm business
Managing risk
Sensitivity analysis
Financial management
Record keeping
Finance sources
Setting up a small business

Course Duration: 100 hours.

Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.
 
LEARNING AIMS
On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:

  • Differentiate between the different procedures used for the handling of horses.
  • Describe the procedures for the buying and selling of horses.
  • Develop a program for the evaluation of the conformation of horses on a property/facility.
  • Analyse the digestive system, including structure and function, of horses.
  • Develop appropriate procedures to manage a horse at grass.
  • Explain the methods used to prepare horses for specific uses, including their grooming for different tasks.
  • Explain commercial opportunities available in the horse industry.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Here are just some of the things you will be doing:

  • Describe different psychological traits of a horse including:
    - herd instinct, memory, fright.
  • Explain how an understanding of horse psychology can assist with handling a horse.
  • Compare three different methods of breaking in a horse.
  • Demonstrate how to lead a horse.
  • Demonstrate how to ride a horse.
  • Develop a list of safety rules for handling horses in a specified situation.
  • Compare the differences in the way two different horse owners handle their horses, at the same horse show or competition.
  • Evaluate the features of a horse being offered for sale in your locality, to determine the value of that horse.
  • Compare the conformation of two different breeds of horses, based upon a physical inspection of a horse from each breed.
  • Observe a horse and explain how the way water is provided may affect that a horse’s digestive processes.
  • Differentiate between the requirements of a specified horse kept at grass, at different times of the year, in your locality.
  • Develop guidelines for managing a specific horse at grass, on a property visited and investigated by you.
  • Explain different husbandry tasks which are essential to the management of a horse investigated by you.
  • List the different reasons for grooming horses.
  • Compare how to groom horses for different situations, including:
    - dressage, pony club competition, exhibitions, stock work.
  • List the different applications for horses in modern society.
  • Determine the minimum facilities required to establish different specified businesses in the horse industry, including:
    - a riding school, a stock agent, another horse business.
  • Evaluate the financial viability of four different sectors of the horse industry.
  • Evaluate the potential of different specified horse enterprises in your locality.


Do You Love Horses Enough?
Are you passionate enough about horses to commit to some serious study, and maybe even work in the equine industry?
 
This course is relevant to both passionate amateurs or for anyone seeking to lay the foundation for a career in the equine industry.
 
In order to be successful in the equine industry, you will require both the correct aptitude as well as the commitment, and attitude, to become heavily involved with horses.
 
Working with horses is not just a job, it is a lifestyle choice. This is where attitude comes in. The attitude that you have towards you role is vital. You need to develop and maintain the right perspectives for working with horses. You need to learn how to maintain an emotional balance (or detachment from) with the horses you work with or your professionalism can become questioned. For example, if a horse is suffering, but you cannot bear to euthanize it, you may have become too emotionally involved with the horse to make the best decision or judgment on its welfare. So, your attitude must result from having an understanding and control of your moral and ethical judgments as well as emotions.

Buying and Selling a Horse
When it comes to buying, and selling horses there are a variety of ways in which this can be done – each way has advantages and disadvantages to be aware of. Remember horses are used to their environment and have most often become accustomed to the routines and behaviour of their current owners. Changing owners and moving horses from familiar surroundings can be moderately unsettling for them and frequently their behaviour will change. Seeing a horse in its own environment with its current owner does not always give a factual idea of what you can expect the horse to be like when it becomes your horse. There can be a great deal involved in buying a horse - some horses pass through the hands of many owners throughout their lives.
 
Consider how you will evaluate every aspect of the horse from personality, behaviour, health condition, soundness and conformation and performance. Additionally, you should be aware of cost factors surrounding the purchase of horse. Cost factors differ depending on breed, sex, training, size, colour, conformation and age. Be familiar with the processes involved in completing the transaction of sale, what to ask the previous owner and why it is important to involve a horse expert and/or vet in a pre-purchase inspection of the horse.

Is Working With Horses for You?
Working with animals of any kind is a continuously rewarding experience. As someone who chooses this is their field of study or employment you can make a remarkable impact or difference on the lives of those you work with. You can choose to prevent suffering and heal sick or injured horses. You can be involved in breeding and rearing. You can train and educate horses for pleasure or competition standard. You can show people how to care for their horses throughout live. 

 

HOW THE COURSE WORKS
You can start the course at any time.

It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.


Understand the care and management of horses.

The course aims to develop the abilities in students, providing them with:

  • The skills to evaluate horses conformation.

  • An understanding of the horses diet.

  • Knowledge of grooming procedures.

  • An ability to develop appropriate management procedures for a specific situation.

  • Knowledge of commercial opportunities in the equine industry, including how to buy and sell horses.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is aimed at different people including:

  • Veterinary assistants
  • Stable hands
  • Riding school staff
  • Horse trainers
  • Horse owners
  • Horse enthusiasts

Enrol with us to become skilled in all aspects of horse care. 

QUESTIONS?
Please, contact us - use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to get in touch with our specialist tutors. Choosing the right course is important and they are there to help and advise you on the making the right choice.

 
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (animal)B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Masters Degree in Ecotourism. P.G.Cert. Ed. (Science). Alison's first job was in 1982 as a stockwoman, working with pigs in Yorkshire. Within a few years she of that she was working for the University of Western Australia as a Research Technician and instructor with their school of Agricultural Science.In 1989 she moved to Melbourne University as Unit Manager and Instructor in Animal Husbandry. By the mid 1990's she moved back to England to work in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing at Cambridgeshire College of Agriculture. Throughout her career, Alison has developed and delivered courses in veterinary nursing and animal sciences for vocational colleges and universities in Australia, New Zealand and Australia. She has built a high level of expertise and an outstanding international reputation as an expert in animal sciences.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.
Marius Erasmus Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, Marius completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.


Check out our eBooks

Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Farm ManagementThe Farm Management ebook is a valuable piece of equipment for any farming student or current farmer. Improve your farm management skills or learn new skills and techniques. The topics covered within this Farm Management ebook include 1/ Scope and nature of the farm industry, 2/ The farm site, 3/ Production systems, 4/ Managing livestock, 5/ Managing pasture, 6/ Managing crops, 7/ Managing equipment and materials, 8/ Computer applications, 9/ Farm structures and buildings, 10/ Financial management, 11/ Marketing, 12/ Farm planning, 13/ Staff management, 14/ Water management and 15/ Diversification.
Horse CareThis book is an accumulation of information from biology, agricultural science and veterinary medicine. It looks to explore and explain the fundamentals of appropriate horse care aims and techniques. In doing so it will consider horsemanship as a combination of art and science.
Working with AnimalsIf you enjoy interacting with animals, are interested in biological science, or are passionate about wildlife, pets or farming; you may thrive in the type of jobs outlined in this book. Get to know more about the industries and the occupations that you could do. The Working with Animals ebook is a comprehensive catalogue to inspire you in your career in working with animals!