Module Identifier RS10410  
Module Title FOUNDATIONS OF EQUINE PERFORMANCE PHYSIOLOGY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Miss Deborah M Nash  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   1 x 2 hour lecture per week  
  Practical   1 x 3 hour practical during the semester  
  Other   1 x 4 hour visit during the semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours  100%
Supplementary Exam1.5 Hours  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Understand the physiology of training

2. Investigate the selection and training of the equine athlete

3. Recognise how the equine athlete can compete safely under differing conditions

Brief description

This module will provide an understanding of exercise physiology and the effects of training in the successful management of the performance horse. It will also focus on the design of appropriate fitness regimes with due regard for the adaptive responses required by different activities.

Content

The module will consider the following:

Structure and function of the cardiovascular system in relation to exercise and training
Muscle physiology in relation to exercise
Structure and function of the skeleton in relation to training
The energetic basis of exercise   
Suitability of various fitness regimes for different horse types
Equine fitness programmes to meet set performance requirements
Adaptations to allow the horse to perform under various climatic conditions
Reasons why horses break down
Welfare of the performance horse

Module Skills

Communication Writing skills will be developed and assessed through the examination.  
Team work The incorporation of an element of group work during practicals will develop students' ability to work as a team  
Subject Specific Skills The ability to evaluate the potential performance of a given horse  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Back, W and Clayton, H M (2001) Equine locomotion W B Saunders
Clayton, H (1991) Conditioning sport horses Sport Horse Publications
Hodgson, D R and Rose, R J (1994) The athletic horse W B Saunders
Jeffcott, L B (1999) Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 30 Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology
Jones, W E (1989) Equine sports medicine Lea and Febiger
Loving, N S and Johnston, A M (1995) Veterinary manual for the performance horse Blackwell Science
McArdle, W D, Katch, F I and Katch, V I (2000) Essentials of exercise physiology Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
Persson, S G B, Lindholm, A and Jeffcott, L B (1991) Equine exercise physiology III ICEEP Publications
Powers, S K and Howley, E T (2001) Exercise physiology. Theory and application to fitness and performance 4th. McGraw-Hill
Wilmore, J H and Costill, D L (1999) Physiology of sport and exercise 2nd. Human Kinetics
Frandson, R.D. (1992) The Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals Lea and Febiger
Hodges, J and Pilliner, S (1991) The equine athlete Blackwell Publishing
Hodgson and Rose (1994) The athletic horse W B Saunders and Company
Jones, W E (1989) Equine sports medicine Lea and Febiger
Marlin D and Nankervis K (2002) Equine exercise physiology Blackwell Pulishing

Journals
** Recommended Text
Robinson, N E (1995) Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 18 Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4