The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to The Horse Course

Welcome to Week 1 of The Horse Course! To start off the course, we will begin discussing what exactly an “equid” is. We will cover the many equine species inhabiting our globe. Next, we’ll jump into the history of horses and donkeys, touching upon how they have made such an impact on our own societal development. The second half of week 1 will cover the many breeds of horses and donkeys. We will finish up with a lecture on the equine hybrids.

Basic Equine Physiology

This week will start out with covering some basic physiology. We will then advance into hoof anatomy and care. This will lead to spending a lecture discussing laminitis, a serious hoof condition in horses and other equids. The final two lectures will jump into the various coat colors and markings in horses.

Equine Behavior and Training

The topics this week will focus on equid behavior and movement. Understanding how equids relate to their environment and communicate is critical to training and management. We will start this week by examining the basic equine senses and communication. Then we will discuss normal and abnormal behaviors and the basic psychology used in training. We will finish the week discussing the basic gaits and how these animals move.

Feeding Management

The topics this week will focus on equid nutrition. Understanding how and what to feed these animals is one of the most important aspects of basic care. We will start with digestive anatomy, how to evaluate your animal’s nutrient requirements, and then jump into feeding management. We will round out the week discussing colic and other nutritional disorders.

Maintaining Equine Health

The topics this week will focus on equine health. Monitoring and taking care of your animal’s health is critical to owning any equid. We will start off with the normal equine vital signs and then we will discuss administering first aid to your animals. We will then cover the different parasites and diseases that can afflict these animals. Finally, we will end the week discussing some common genetic disorders.

Breeding Management

The topics this week will focus on equine reproduction. Breeding is an important component of the equine industry. We will start off this week with some basic anatomy, including what makes the equids unique. Then we will cover the estrous cycles of mares and jennies, followed by common breeding systems used throughout the world. After discussing unique aspects of equine pregnancy and parturition, we will finish out the week covering some management tips for taking care of the newborn foal.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the history of horses and donkeys, giving learners an overview of their impact on societal development

Covers various breeds of horses and donkeys, helping learners understand the diversity within these species

Explores basic equine physiology, including hoof anatomy and care, providing a solid foundation for understanding equine health

Focuses on equine behavior and training, giving learners valuable insights into the psychology and communication of horses

Discusses feeding management and nutritional disorders, helping learners understand the importance of proper nutrition for equine health

Examines common genetic disorders in horses, providing learners with knowledge to make informed breeding decisions

Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to horse care

learners say this engaging course on basic horse care and management is well received, informative, and thoroughly enjoyed. Excellent instructor Dr. Chris J. Mortensen makes complex topics easy to understand. Students appreciate the well-structured lessons and practical assignments and recommend it to beginners and experienced horse owners alike. However, some assignments are challenging for complete beginners and the course may not be as relevant to those outside of the United States.

The course is well-structured, easy to follow, and covers a wide range of horse care topics.

"This course is very helpful in my current Job as Arabian Horse Stud Manager."

"This is such a great course for me. I wanted to know more about nutrition and general welfare and management."

"An absolute newbie to horse care, I found this course just right to wrap my head around the basics."

Dr. Mortensen is very knowledgeable, engaging, and has a passion for teaching.

"Great instructor! I loved the assignments we had to do every week, which really helped me learn more than the quiz."

"I have been around horses all my life and looked after my own horses as long as I can remember. This course was really fantastic."

The course content is mainly relevant to those in the United States.

"Great course - obviously based quite heavily on American terminology and diseases etc."

Some assignments may be challenging for complete beginners.

"Too many topics. Didn’t allow enough time to immerse myself in any one area."

"It is a really good course, as a student of veterinary medicine it helped me a lot to complement my training as a professional."

Career center

Learners who complete The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technicians work under the supervision of Veterinarians to provide medical care to animals. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking vital signs, administering medication, and assisting with surgery. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a strong foundation in equine anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. This knowledge is essential for Veterinary Technicians who work with horses.

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Animal Care Manager

Animal Care Managers oversee the care of animals, including horses. They ensure that animals are fed, watered, and exercised, and that their living quarters are clean and safe. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a comprehensive overview of equine care and management. This knowledge is essential for Animal Care Managers who work with horses.

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Equine Nutritionist

Equine Nutritionists develop and implement nutrition plans for horses. They work with horse owners and trainers to ensure that horses are getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and perform at their best. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a solid foundation in equine nutrition. This knowledge is essential for Equine Nutritionists.

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Farrier

Farriers are responsible for the care and maintenance of horses' hooves. They trim and shoe horses' hooves to prevent injury and promote healthy hoof growth. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine hoof anatomy and physiology. This knowledge is essential for Farriers.

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Horse Breeder

Horse Breeders raise and sell horses. They select breeding stock, breed horses, and raise foals. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a comprehensive overview of equine breeding and management. This knowledge is essential for Horse Breeders.

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Horse Groom

Horse Grooms provide care and maintenance for horses. They clean horses, brush their coats, and trim their manes and tails. They may also exercise horses and prepare them for shows. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is essential for Horse Grooms.

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Horse Trainer

Horse Trainers train horses to perform specific tasks, such as riding, driving, or jumping. They use a variety of techniques to train horses, including positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine behavior and training. This knowledge is essential for Horse Trainers.

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Livestock Manager

Livestock Managers oversee the care and management of livestock, including horses. They ensure that livestock are fed, watered, and exercised, and that their living quarters are clean and safe. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a comprehensive overview of equine care and management. This knowledge is essential for Livestock Managers who work with horses.

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Ranch Hand

Ranch Hands perform a variety of tasks on ranches, including caring for livestock, maintaining equipment, and repairing fences. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Ranch Hands who work with horses.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals. They perform a variety of tasks, including surgery, vaccinations, and euthanasia. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. This knowledge is beneficial for Veterinarians who work with horses.

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Zookeeper

Zookeepers care for animals in zoos and other captive environments. They feed animals, clean their enclosures, and monitor their health. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Zookeepers who work with horses.

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Animal Shelter Worker

Animal Shelter Workers care for animals in shelters. They feed animals, clean their cages, and provide them with medical care. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Animal Shelter Workers who work with horses.

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Park Ranger

Park Rangers protect and manage natural resources in parks and other protected areas. They may also provide educational programs and interpret the natural environment for visitors. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Park Rangers who work with horses.

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Conservationist

Conservationists work to protect and preserve natural resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private landowners. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Conservationists who work with horses.

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Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study the behavior and ecology of wild animals. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private landowners. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management provides a basic understanding of equine care and management. This knowledge is beneficial for Wildlife Biologists who work with horses.

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