Module Information
Module Identifier
BRM1010
Module Title
EQUINE NUTRITION
Academic Year
2012/2013
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 x 1 hour lectures per week |
| Seminars / Tutorials |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay assignment Outcomes 1, 2, 3 | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Outcomes 1, 2 | 70% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Outcomes 1, 2, 3 | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Formulate rations for different types of horses based on practical and scientific principles.
Explain principles of feeding practice based upon digestive anatomy, the role of microbial populations in the equine gut and digestive upsets.
Evaluate the research methods used to investigate nutrition and be in a position to follow future developments in this field.
Brief description
Equine nutrition is currently recognised as a fundamental factor influencing not only animal health and welfare but also for maximising performance, and the implications of poor diets are widely understood. Equine nutrition companies are increasingly aware that the quality and composition of commercial feeds are essential, and customers demand detailed knowledge of these products before they purchase. Companies must therefore employ scientifically adept staff to formulate and advise customers upon rations. Such knowledge is highly appropriate for MSc graduates entering the equine industry.
The module will cover scientific principles underlying good feeding practice including relation to anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Ration formulation and critical analysis of dietary principals for different categories of horse will be explored (eg maintenance, working and breeding stock). Lectures may also include reviews and discussion of recent topical research, such as factors affecting gut motility and scientific techniques for estimating this, the inclusion of pro and pre-biotics due to their actions upon hindgut flora and fauna and diet-related diseases.
The module will cover scientific principles underlying good feeding practice including relation to anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Ration formulation and critical analysis of dietary principals for different categories of horse will be explored (eg maintenance, working and breeding stock). Lectures may also include reviews and discussion of recent topical research, such as factors affecting gut motility and scientific techniques for estimating this, the inclusion of pro and pre-biotics due to their actions upon hindgut flora and fauna and diet-related diseases.
Content
Equine nutrition is currently recognised as a fundamental factor influencing not only animal health and welfare but also for maximising performance, and the implications of poor diets are widely understood. Equine nutrition companies are increasingly aware that the quality and composition of commercial feeds are essential, and customers demand detailed knowledge of these products before they purchase. Companies must therefore employ scientifically adept staff to formulate and advise customers upon rations. Such knowledge is highly appropriate for MSc graduates entering the equine industry.
The module will cover scientific principles underlying good feeding practice including relation to anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Ration formulation and critical analysis of dietary principals for different categories of horse will be explored (eg maintenance, working and breeding stock). Lectures may also include reviews and discussion of recent topical research, such as factors affecting gut motility and scientific techniques for estimating this, the inclusion of pro and pre-biotics due to their actions upon hindgut flora and fauna and diet-related diseases.
The module will cover scientific principles underlying good feeding practice including relation to anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Ration formulation and critical analysis of dietary principals for different categories of horse will be explored (eg maintenance, working and breeding stock). Lectures may also include reviews and discussion of recent topical research, such as factors affecting gut motility and scientific techniques for estimating this, the inclusion of pro and pre-biotics due to their actions upon hindgut flora and fauna and diet-related diseases.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Basic maths will be required in order to formulate a dietary ration (for example: kg/bwt total intake required per day) |
| Communication | Small group teaching and student activities planned within each lecture will foster communication within the group both between students and lecturer. Written communication will also be developed by completing the coursework assignment |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be prepared for assignments and exams in designated lecture time to discuss the requirements of each, thus giving opportunity for students to maximize their own performances. Detailed written feedback will be given on assignments to enable students to understand areas for improvement. |
| Information Technology | Assignments will be word processed and require use of public databases in order to identify and retrieve scientific articles for use within assignments |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Students will be required to solve problems through ration formulation. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to critically analyzing existing literature to justify ration formulations and design of diets. |
| Subject Specific Skills | A detailed and applied knowledge of Equine Nutrition and associated research |
| Team work | Some student-centered learning activities within lectures will be designed to require group work, e.g. prepare a profile of a certain grain nutrient characteristics for presentation to the remainder of the group. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7