The Equine Science Certificate The first Canadian Equine Science Certificate program offered online!  
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COURSES

In order to obtain the Equine Science Certificate, the four core courses and two electives must be completed successfully. Management of the Equine Environment should be completed first, or early in the course of study. Nutrition should be completed prior to Growth & Development, and Functional Anatomy should be completed before Exercise Physiology if selected as an elective.

For a brief description of each course, click on the name.

Required Courses

Elective Courses (2 required)

Schedule of Upcoming Courses

January 2009 May 2009 September 2009
Exercise Physiology Equine Behaviour Management of the Equine Environment
Management of the Equine Environment Functional Anatomy Equine Nutrition
Equine Nutrition Health & Disease Prevention Equine Growth & Development
Equine Genetics    

 


Required Course Descriptions

Management of the Equine Environment

In this course you will be introduced to many of the important aspects of running a horse-housing establishment, including barn hygiene, air quality, fencing and pasture maintenance and improvement, a safety audit and many more. This course provides practical and updated information needed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for horses, through effective and responsible management techniques.

Detailed Course Description

Equine Nutrition

This non-degree online course provides the practical knowledge and skills needed to develop and maintain a healthy nutritional program for horses. The course covers the basics of nutrition, balancing rations and special populations.

Detailed Course Description

Health & Disease Prevention

Preventing disease and health problems should be the goal of every horse-owner. Many important topics are covered to help you maintain optimal health by developing a year-round health maintenance program. You will be introduced to many of the common problems faced by horses, many due to management problems, and you will learn the steps to take so that you can reduce the risk for your horses.

Detailed Course Description

Functional Anatomy

This course examines the components of the systems that enable the horse’s athletic achievements. It is a study of the functions of those components, and the anatomical structures that fulfill those functions.

Detailed Course Description

Elective Course Descriptions (Choose 2)

Exercise Physiology

This non-degree online course introduces many of the important aspects of conditioning the equine athlete for various disciplines, including topics such as base conditioning, aerobic and anaerobic exercise and recovery, monitoring of conditioning gains and prevention of health and performance problems and more. This course provides practical and updated information needed to ensure a safe and effective training program through applied scientific knowledge of exercise physiology.

Detailed Course Description

Growth & Development

The future career of a horse depends on the development of a solid foundation, even before conception! This non-degree online course introduces sound management practices for the broodmare and stallion. The breeding to birth cycle of the life of the horse is covered to gain valuable insight on preventing problems and maintaining the health of the "equine family." This will be a valuable course for those involved in breeding horses, whether it is your own mare or you are helping in a broodmare establishment.

Detailed Course Description

Equine Behaviour

Handling a horse can be risky, even if you know the animal. When you handle unfamiliar horses the risks increase. While horses may not be able to speak our language, horses do have a language of their own. It is important for those caring for horses to learn the language of horses for their safe and humane care in the domestic environment.

Course topics include horse perception, learning, social hierarchies and play, communication and body care, ingestive and elimination behaviours, interaction of stallions, mares and foals, locomotion, training and handling, transporting horses and unwelcome behavious (stereotypies).

Detailed Course Description

Equine Genetics

The horse population is growing, and a basic understanding of various genetic considerations can assist the horse breeder. In addition to colour genetics, breeders should have an understanding of medical genetics; both Mendelian and Polygenic and performance traits. Aspects of genetic descriptions of breeds, along with parentage testing and pedigrees will also be investigated.

Detailed Course Description

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