Module Identifier
RSM1110
Module Title
EQUINE BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Mina C G Davies-Morel
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 1 x 1 hour lecture per week
Seminars / Tutorials 2 x 3 hour seminar/tutorials per semester
Practical 2 x 3 hour practicals per semester
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay  Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   100%

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 develop an understanding of:

a. Normal equine behaviours in terms of their evolution, development and underlying control.
b. 'Abnormal' equine behaviours.
c. The concepts of stress and animal welfare.
d. The common welfare and behavioral problems of chorses and what methods exist for their control.
e. 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 List


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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7