Module Information

Module Identifier
RS20300
Module Title
THE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HORSE
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Dr Basil T Wolf
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 1 x 1 hour lecture per week in Semester 1
Lecture 1 x 2 hour lecture per week in Semester 2
Practical 4 x 3 hour practicals per semester
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   Behaviour examination, Semester 1  Outcomes assessed: 5  30%
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   Health examination Semester 2  Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4  30%
Semester Assessment Assignment (2000 words write-up of practical classes)  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Supplementary examination  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of parasites from a practical perspective;

2. Identify and describe common equine disorders and their causes;

3. Identify situations where veterinary assistance is required;

4. Identify and describe the clinical symptoms of equine musculo-skeletal disorders;

5. Discuss equine behaviour from a clinical perspective.

Content

This module will present information on issues relating to the health of the horses in particular symptoms and aetiology of common equine ailments. Guidelines will be given as to when and how common conditions can be treated by the horse-owner, and in other instances where professional veterinary treatment should be sought. In addition, and from a clinical perspective, abnormal behaviour of the horse will be discussed, how it affects the health of the horse and what treatments may be attempted to rectify these conditions.

The following topics will be covered within this module:

  • Normal equine behaviour
  • Temperament assessment of the horse
  • Abnormal equine behaviour
  • Treatment of clinical abnormal equine behaviour
  • Perinatal and postnatal care of the foal. Management and disease prevention
  • Ventilation and environment in relation to equine respiratory disease
  • Coughing as a medical problem
  • Parasites- lifecycles and their control
  • Anthelmintics
  • Skin diseases
  • Toxic plants
  • Wound management and dressings
  • Tetanus
  • Clinical assessment of wounds
  • Effects of drugs on performance of the horse
  • Colic- causes, prevention and treatment
  • Lameness- clinical diagnosis and treatment

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Written communication will be developed and assessed through the written assignment
Improving own Learning and Performance Improving own learning and performance will be developed and assessed through both the written assignment and end of term examination.
Information Technology To complete the written assignment students will have to obtain information from a variety of sources including books, web sites, journal articles etc. This will involve the use of IT retrieval systems such as Voyager.
Research skills Students will have to research the given assignment topic from a variety of sources in order to obtain the correct information and facilitate the completion of the written assignment.
Subject Specific Skills Equine parasite control. Recognition of common equine ailments including behavioural disorders.
Team work Practical sessions will require students to work together and help each other in small groups.

Reading List


Boden (1991) Equine practice series Primo search Devereux and Morrison (1992) The veterinary care of the horse Primo search GRAY (1994) Respiratory disease Primo search Gray (1994) Lameness Primo search Gray (1994) Parasites and skin diseases Primo search Mills and Nankervis (1999) Equine behaviour: principles and practice Primo search Riegel and Hakola (1996) Illustrated atlas of clinical equine anatomy and common disorders of the horse Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5