Module Identifier RSM0420  
Module Title EQUINE NUTRITION  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Professor Charles J Newbold  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Dr David R Yanez  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Seminars / Tutorials   6 x 1 hour  
  Practical   2 x 3 hours  
  Other   1 x 4 hour visit/external talk  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 3, 4  70%
Semester Assessment Essay Outcomes assessed: 1, 2  30%
Supplementary Assessment3 Hours Written examination Outcomes assessed: All  100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to

1.   Identify and evaluate nutrient sources for all classes of equids.

2.   Demonstrate a detailed understanding of nutrient metabolism in the horse.

3.   Evaluate the methodology and ethics of equine experimental research.

4.   Make recommendations to horse owners and industry alike on rations for all classes of performance horses

Brief description

This module is designed to give an in-depth knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin equine nutrition and will integrate aspects of animal, plant and microbial biochemistry relevant to the equid, which will allow students to pursue careers in equine research, development and commerce. Considerable emphasis will be placed on nutrient metabolism in relation to performance, health and welfare and the methodology and ethics of animal experimentation. Topics covered include energy systems, voluntary food intake, dietary cation-anion balance, the glycaemic response, micronutrient nutrition and metabolic disorders.

Transferable skills

1 Independent project work
   Seminars presentations will encourage individuals to demonstrate knowledge gained through independent reading. Each assessed seminar will be followed by a discussion on the topic presented giving students an opportunity, in a group context, to discuss and evaluate each other's work.

.2 IT and information handling
   The use of library catalogues, the external loan system and the web will be developed when collating information for seminar presentations and when pursuing references given in lectures.

.4 Writing in an academic context
   Critical evaluation of published information will be developed and assessed during seminar sessions, while the students own writing will be assessed in the unseen examination.

.5 Oral discussion and presentation
   Oral skills will be developed and assessed through seminar presentations and active participation in group discussion will be encouraged during seminar sessions.

.6 Careers need awareness
   The Gregynog conference sessions (2 per year) will give students unique contact with researchers and delegates working for commercial equine nutrition companies, thereby increasing awareness of careers within the industry.   

.7 Self-management
   Considerable time management and academic judgment will be developed when preparing for seminars and reading around the subject.

.8 Group activity
Seminar sessions will involve group discussion, while practical classes will require working as a group when dissecting slaughter house material.

Reading Lists

Books
Frape, D (1986) Equine Nutrition and Feeding Longman Scientific and Technical, Harlow
Lewis, L D (1995) Equine clinical nutrition - feeding and care Williams & Wilkins

Journals
Proceedings of the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society
Proceedings of the Dodson and Horrell International Conference on feeding horses (bi-annual)
Animal Science
British Journal of Nutrition

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7