Equine Welfare and Management from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

The Normal Horse: Basic Physiology

In this module, you will be able to identify the parameters of normal health in a horse. You will be able to measure a horse’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and capillary refill time, or CRT. You will be able recognize ranges of what are considered normal vital signs for the species, breed and individual horse. You will be able to monitor these normals over time to detect changes and alert a veterinarian to a problem.

Maintaining Good Hydration and Nutrition

In this module, you will be able to discuss the water needs of a the horse. You will be able to manage and meet those needs in a variety of situations. You will be able to discuss dehydration and be able to test for a horse's level of hydration. You will be able to properly assess hydration status and will have some knowledge of ways to prevent and react to dehydration. You will be able to identify essential parts of a horse's digestive system. You will be able to discuss the characteristics of a horse's digestive system and be able to develop a nutritional plan suitable for your horse. You will be able to successfully communicate with your veterinarian about your horse's water and nutrition needs.

Providing Proper Care and a Safe Environment

In this module, you will be able to discuss proper husbandry for your horse. You will be able to identify the second of the five freedoms – freedom from discomfort. You will be able to recognize the importance of creating a proper and safe environment. You will also be able to analyze best practices for proper flooring, bedding, footing, exercise, and safety for both you and your horse. You will be able to review the steps needed for emergency preparedness, evacuation, and rescue situations. You will be able to develop a safety plan utilizing the standards of care for your facility.

Assess Fitness, Prevent Common Diseases and Injuries

In this module, you will be able to discuss common injuries and diseases that can afflict horses. You will be able to identify the characteristics of the fit horse and the impact of fitness in injury prevention. You will be able to recognize common symptoms of illness, discomfort, and pain and the importance of hoof and dental care. You will be able to review common fly management and deworming practices. You will be able to prepare a vaccination plan for disease prevention.

Normal and Abnormal Equine Behaviors

In this module, you will be able to discuss normal and abnormal equine behavior. You will be able to identify how equine psychology shapes equine behavior. You will also be able to distinguish the cues horses use to communicate with each other. You will be able to recognize the importance of reading their physical and mental state of mind. You will be able to describe equine social hierarchies. You will be able to identify common abnormal behaviors and corrective strategies.

Human - Equine Interaction and Equine Welfare

In this module, you will be able to discuss the human-equine interaction. You will be able to recognize the special responsibilities we have towards equine athletes, working equines, and performance horses. You will also be able to understand how best to care for older horses and describe issues associated with older and unwanted horses. You will discuss the issues of unwanted and rescue horses and international welfare issues. You will analyze factors that can induce fear in horses and explain stressors on competition and working horses.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines animal welfare within the context of “The Five Freedoms.”

Taught by DVM veterinarians from University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Develops skills and knowledge in equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs

Explores equine welfare issues including disaster planning and international welfare efforts

Includes specialized content for the equine athlete

Requires a basic background in horse care and handling

Reviews summary

Well-regarded course on equine welfare

Learners say this course stands out as largely positive and is an excellent option for those with little to some experience with horses. They describe the course as informative, well-paced, and organized. According to reviews, lectures, resources, and videos are well-prepared.

Helpful videos and resources provided.

"The presentations were clean and engaging."

"I definitely recommend this course for beginners."

Content is well-organized and engaging.

"This course was extremely well-organized, lots of good information, clearly communicated, good pacing, good mix of visual aids."

"One of the best online trainings of any kind I've experienced."

Great for starting to learn about horses and their care.

"If you are unfamiliar with equines as a whole, this is a great starting place."

"This course is solid in its information, interesting in its presentation, full of good resources, and able to be paced to fit in with my work schedule."

"This was an amazing course that covered a lot of topics in the horse industry."

"It's great for people who have been around horses a long time already or total beginners."

"It is the best course about equids, we learned about anatomy, care, management, behavior, and behavior problems and management, common diseases and illnesses."

Instructor is knowledgeable, experienced.

"Dr Claudia Sonder was great to listen to in each module."

"Dr Claudia was a great help in refreshing my knowledge regarding equine management and welfare."

"I am so grateful that I could take this course during the time that I could not be in the equestrian center."

"The course of Equine Welfare and Management taught me a lot of new knowledge about how to determine the horse's state by using the scientific way."

"I am positive that I will utilize what I have learned from taking this course."

Could have included more advanced topics.

"This was an excellent course and I have learnt a lot about horses. It is a course where anyone involved in the equine industry in a significant way should do."

"There should be an Equine Welfare and Management part 2 course to cover more advanced topics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Equine Welfare and Management with these activities:

Review Basic Equine Health and Welfare

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Refresh essential knowledge about equine anatomy and physiology to ensure a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Equine Physiology

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Review the anatomy and physiology of the horse, including respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems.
Identify the different signs of health and illness in horses.
Practice assessing vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and respiration.

Horse Anatomy and Physiology Study Guide

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Helps review and reinforce fundamental concepts

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Create an outline or table that summarizes the key topics covered in the course module on horse anatomy and physiology.
Go through your notes, textbook, and any other relevant materials to find and add important details to your outline or table.
Review your study guide regularly to reinforce your understanding of the material.

Develop a Horse Health Monitoring Plan

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Ensure ongoing health and well-being of horses by creating a personalized monitoring plan.

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Identify the key health parameters to monitor, including weight, body condition, and behavior.
Determine the frequency and methods for monitoring these parameters.
Develop a system for recording and tracking the data.
Practice using the plan to monitor a horse's health and identify potential issues.

Two other activities

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Create a Horse Health Care Plan

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Helps you apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios

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Gather information about your horse's health history.
Research and identify potential health concerns for your horse based on breed, age, and environment.
Develop a plan to address each health concern, including prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.
Implement your plan and monitor your horse's health regularly.

Design an Equine Emergency Preparedness Plan

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Enhance equine safety and well-being by developing a comprehensive emergency plan.

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Identify potential risks and hazards that could affect horses.
Develop protocols for evacuation, rescue, and medical care.
Create a communication plan to alert and coordinate responders.
Practice implementing the plan through simulations or drills.
Review and update the plan regularly.

Career center

Learners who complete Equine Welfare and Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technicians are responsible for providing care to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with surgery. This course will help veterinary technicians learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs, which will help them to provide better care for their equine patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary assistants perform many tasks in the veterinary clinic under the supervision of a veterinarian. They restrain animals for examinations, assist with surgery, administer medications, and monitor animals. This course will help veterinary assistants learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs, which will help them to provide better care for their equine patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinary Assistant

Animal Caretaker

Animal caretakers provide care to animals in a variety of settings, including animal shelters, zoos, and private homes. They feed, groom, and exercise animals, and they monitor their health and well-being. This course will help animal caretakers learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs, which will help them to provide better care for their equine charges.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Caretaker

Animal Trainer

Animal trainers work with animals to teach them specific behaviors. They use positive reinforcement and other techniques to train animals for a variety of purposes, including companionship, competition, and service. This course will help animal trainers learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs, which will help them to train horses more effectively and humanely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Trainer

Equine Nutritionist

Equine nutritionists develop and implement nutrition plans for horses. They consider the horse's age, breed, activity level, and health status when creating a nutrition plan. This course will help equine nutritionists learn more about equine physiology and nutrition, which will help them to create better nutrition plans for their equine clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equine Nutritionist

Horseback Riding Instructor

Horseback riding instructors teach people how to ride horses. They also provide instruction on horse care and management. This course will help horseback riding instructors learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and basic needs, which will help them to teach their students more effectively and safely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horseback Riding Instructor

Farrier

Farriers trim and shoe horses' hooves. They also treat hoof problems and provide advice on hoof care. This course will help farriers learn more about equine physiology and hoof anatomy, which will help them to provide better care for their equine clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Farrier

Horse Breeder

Horse breeders breed and raise horses for a variety of purposes, including racing, competition, and pleasure riding. This course will help horse breeders learn more about equine physiology, behavior, and genetics, which will help them to breed and raise healthier and more successful horses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horse Breeder

Equine Massage Therapist

Equine massage therapists use massage techniques to relieve pain and tension in horses. They also promote relaxation and well-being. This course will help equine massage therapists learn more about equine physiology and anatomy, which will help them to provide better massages for their equine clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equine Massage Therapist

Equine Chiropractor

Equine chiropractors use chiropractic techniques to adjust the spine and other joints in horses. They relieve pain and improve mobility. This course may help equine chiropractors learn more about equine physiology and anatomy, which may help them to provide better care for their equine clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equine Chiropractor

Animal Shelter Manager

Animal shelter managers oversee the operation of animal shelters. They are responsible for the care and well-being of the animals in the shelter, as well as the staff and volunteers. This course may help animal shelter managers learn more about equine care and management, which may help them to better care for the horses in their shelter. Animal shelter managers may also learn about equine behavior and welfare in the module entitled, "Normal and Abnormal Equine Behavior.",

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Shelter Manager

Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife rehabilitators care for sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals. They provide medical care, food, and shelter, and they release the animals back into the wild when they are healthy enough. This course may help wildlife rehabilitators learn more about equine care and management, which may help them to better care for the horses in their care. Wildlife rehabilitators may also learn about equine behavior and welfare in the module entitled, "Normal and Abnormal Equine Behavior.",

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Zookeeper

Zookeepers care for animals in a zoo setting. They feed, groom, and exercise animals, and they monitor their health and well-being. This course may help zookeepers learn more about equine care and management, which may help them to better care for the horses in their zoo. Zookeepers may also learn about equine behavior and welfare in the module entitled, "Normal and Abnormal Equine Behavior.",

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Conservation Officer

Conservation officers enforce fish and wildlife laws and regulations. They also protect natural resources and educate the public about conservation issues. This course may help conservation officers learn more about equine care and management, which may help them to better care for the horses they encounter in their work. Conservation officers may also learn about equine behavior and welfare in the module entitled, "Normal and Abnormal Equine Behavior."

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Park Ranger

Park rangers protect and manage natural resources in parks and other protected areas. They also provide information and assistance to visitors. This course may help park rangers learn more about equine care and management, which may help them to better care for the horses in their park. Park rangers may also learn about equine behavior and welfare in the module entitled, "Normal and Abnormal Equine Behavior.",

See salaries and explore the career path for Park Ranger