Module Identifier RD20620  
Module Title THE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HORSE  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Mr Sebastian D McBride  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   44 Hours 11 x 3 hour and 11 x 1 hour lectures  
  Practical   9 Hours 6 x 1.5 hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  30%
Semester Assessment Assignment Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  70%
Supplementary Assessment Candidates will be required to re-take the elements of assessment that led to failing the module. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Outcome 1
Examine the importance of parasites and apply this information to the animals advantage.
Performance Criteria: a) identify different types of parasites and their lifecycles
   b) examine the effects of parasites
   c) evaluate the different methods of control
Ranges: internal and external parasites
   cold-blooded, warm-blooded and hot-blooded horses.

Outcome 2
Identify common equine disorders and their causes.
Performance Criteria:   a) examine the causes of infectious and non-infectious diseases
   b) comprehend the rational of various treatments
   c) examine the prevention of the common diseases
   d) recognise the implications to health and performance
Ranges: diseases of the skin, mouth, respiratory tract, digestive, circulatory and nervous systems.
All types/breeds of horse.

Outcome 3
Identification of the requirement for veterinary assistance.
Performance Criteria: a) to be aware of when to call for veterinary assistance
   b) appreciate the principals of first-aid for horses
   c) discuss the relevant contents of a first-aid kit.
Ranges: emergency situations
All types/breeds of horse.

Outcome 4
Investigation of equine musculo-skeletal disorders.
Performance Criteria: a) identify and comprehend the common causes of lameness, treatment and prevention
   b) comprehend the role of foot balance and shoeing as a cause of lameness
   c) examine the methods and technologies used in diagnosis of equine lameness
Ranges: diagnostic techniques and treatments used/administered by veterinarians and owners.

Outcome 5
Comprehend equine behaviour
Performance Criteria: a) recognise and comprehend normal and abnormal behaviour in horses
   b) identify the possible causes of abnormal behaviour
   b) comprehend the principles underlying treatment for abnormal behaviour
Ranges: crib-biting, weaving, box-walking.

Aims

This module aims to provide a sound understanding of the health and common diseases of horses as well as being capable of deciding when immediate veterinary attention is required. Students will also be conversant with normal horse behaviour and how this is utilised in training techniques and treating behavioural problems. Specific attention will be paid to care of foals.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
Assessment for this module is mainly reliant (70%) upon production of a written assignment associated with one or several of the areas covered in this course. Each student will be expected to work independently and produce an original piece of work from information drawn from several different sources.

.2 IT and information handling
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.

.4 Writing in an academic context
Both the written assignment and unseen written examination will require writing in an academic context to present information precisely and concisely in a clear and informative manner. The assignment will require all source material to be fully referenced.

.5 Oral discussion and presentation
Practical sessions will require participation in discussion of many different equine medical conditions.

.7 Self-management
Students will have to manage their own time and motivate themselves to research the given assignment topic, obtain the correct information and complete the written assignment in the allotted time.

.8 Group activity
Practical sessions will require students to work together and help each other in small groups.

Reading Lists

Books
Gray (1994) Respiratory disease
Gray (1994) Lameness
Gray (1994) Parasites and skin diseases
Boden (1991) Equine practice series
Devereux and Morrison (1992) The veterinary care of the horse
Riegel and Hakola (1996) Illustrated atlas of clinical equine anatomy and common disorders of the horse
Alcock J (2001) Animal behaviour 7th.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5