Module Identifier RSM1110  
Module Title EQUINE BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Mr Sebastian D McBride  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   11 Hours 11 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   6 Hours 2 x 3 hour seminar/tutorials  
  Practical   6 Hours 2 x 3 hour practicals  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Semester Assessment Seminar presentation Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  25%
Semester Assessment Poster course work: 1 x 2000 word essay Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  25%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1 Describe a range of factors associated with equine behaviour

2 Understand the relationship between equine behaviour and management

3 Recognise the link between animal welfare and behaviour with particular reference to the equine

4 Sustain a reasoned and logical argument in connection with animal welfare issues


Brief description

This module focuses on the ontogeny of equine behaviour, behavioural motivation, the role of the senses, learning and abnormal behaviour. This will be developed on to the recognition of the major behavioural abnormalities in the domestic horse. Animal welfare issues including bioethics, behavioural needs, suffering, cruelty, stress and legislation will also be discussed.

Aims

This module aims to provide the student with:

This module aims to develop an understanding of:
1.   normal equine behaviours in terms of their evolution, development and underlying control.
2.   'abnormal' equine behaviours.
3.   the concepts of stress and animal welfare.   
4.   the common welfare and behavioral problems of chorses and what methods exist for their control.
5.   the concepts of learning theory and how this applies to the training of the horse.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
This will be developed by the assignment

.2 IT and information handling
To complete the written and oral assignment students will have to obtain information from a variety of sources including books and web sites. This will involve the use of IT to compile the finished report as well as retrieve relevant information (e.g. Voyager).

.4 Writing in an academic context
Students will be required to present information precisely and concisely in a clear and informative manner. Both parts of the assignment will require all source material to be fully referenced.

.5 Oral discussion and presentation
The seminar presentation will develop skills in both oral discussion and presentation.

.7 Self-management
Students will have to manage their own time in developing their assignment.

Reading Lists

Books
Appleby M C and Hughes B O (1997) Animal Welfare 1st. CAB International
Alcock J (1993) Animal behaviour: an evolutionary approach 5th.
Carlson N R (2001) Physiology of behaviour 7th.
Cooper J R, Bloom F E and Roth R H (1982) The biochemical basis of neuropharmacology
Lawrence A B and Rushen J (1993) Stereotypic animal behaviour
McFarland D (1993) Animal behaviour 2nd.
Nolte J (1999) The human brain 4th.
Wade C and Tavris C (1993) Psychology 3rd.
Wood-Gush D G M (1983) Elements of ethology Chapman and Hall Ltd

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7