Module Identifier RS22320  
Module Title EQUINE NUTRITION  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr Meriel J S Moore-Colyer  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered 2005  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Dr Julie M Finch  
Pre-Requisite RS11310 , BS10910  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours 22 x 1 hour lectures  
  Practical   9 Hours 3 x 3 hour practicals  
  Seminars / Tutorials   11 Hours 11 x 1 hour seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours EXAMINATION  50%
Semester Assessment RATION FORMULATION ASSIGNMENT  50%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours EXAMINATION  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of equid digestive physiology

2. Formulate a ration for any category of performance horse.

3   Identify the major causes of nutritional metabolic disorders

4. Match the patterns of growth and development of young performance horses with specific nutrient supply.

Aims

It is essential for students studying animal and human exercise physiology to have an understanding of the nutritional requirements of both species. This module will furnish students with knowledge in equine nutrition and allow them to make judgments and recommendations on feeding regimes for performance horses involved in a wide range of disciplines. Students will learn to use both basic IT skills and specifically designed computer packages to formulate rations for horses. They will also gain substantial knowledge of the nutritional content of the proprietary feeds currently sold by equine feed manufacturers.

Content

This module will put some sound scientific knowledge behind the practical aspects of feeding horses. The lectures and practicals cover the digestive physiology of the horse; energy, protein and micronutrient requirements, and will integrate aspects of plant nutrient content with daily nutrient supply to the animal. Considerable emphasis will be placed on ration formulation for performance horses engaged in a wide range of activities and on the causes of metabolic disorders frequently encountered by hard-working equids.

Topics covered in lectures and practicals:
Digestive anatomy
Physiology of digestion and absorption
Energy and protein requirements for work
The use of fat in performance horse diets
Feeding dietary fibre
Feeding concentrates
Micronutrient requirements
Feeding for growth and development
Metabolic disorders.

Reading Lists

Books
Frape, D. (1983) Equine Nutrition and Feeding Longman Scientific
Proceedings of the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society.
Lewis, L.D. (1995) Equine Clinical Nutrition ? Feeding and Care. Williams and Wilkins
Frandson, R.D. (1981) Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals Lea and Febiger
NRC (1989) Nutrient Requirements of Horses Bulletin 5. National Academy Press. Washington DC
(BI-ANNUAL) Proceedings of the Dodson and Horrell International Conference on Feeding Horses
Pilliner, S. (1989) Equine Nutrition BSP Professional Books
McDonald, P., Edwards, R.A. and Greenhalgh, J.F.D. (1981) Animal Nutrition Longman

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5