Equine Nutrition

Cod y Modiwl: BRM5320
Teitl y Modiwl: Equine Nutrition
Blwyddyn Academaidd: 2025/2026
Semester: Semester 2 Dysgwyd dros 2 semester
Cyd-gysylltydd y Modiwl: Dr Elizabeth Hart
Rhestr Ddarllen: Gweld ar Aspire
Anghymharus (Unrhyw Flwyddyn Acad): BRM0320
Staff Eraill sy'n Cyfrannu: Dr Ruth Wonfor; Dr Ifat Shah; Professor Jon Moorby; Dr Neil Mcewan

Dulliau Asesu

Math o Asesiad	Manylion Asesiad	Cyfran
Asesiad Semester	Ration formulation assignment: 2000 Words	50%
Asesiad Semester	Equine Case study: 2000 Words	50%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Resit ration formulation: Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.	50%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Resit case study: Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. 2000 Words	50%

Canlyniadau Dysgu

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Discuss the principles of energy metabolism in horses
2. Discuss the principles of amino acid and protein metabolism in horses.
3. Evaluate the key biochemical roles and the consequences of excess or deficiency of vitamins and/or minerals in the diet.
4. Discuss key laboratory and animal tests used in ration evaluation.
5. Formulate rations for different categories of horse.
6. Explain principles of feeding practice based upon digestive anatomy, the role of microbial populations in the equine gut and digestive disorders.

Disgrifiad cryno

Semester 1 lectures will consider principals of animal nutrition in a broad context, where the evaluation of feeds in a laboratory and field context will be discussed as will principles of energy and protein metabolism and nutrition. The consequences and possible causes of mineral and vitamin deficiencies and excesses will be considered. This knowledge will then be applied to develop an understanding of ration formulation. The equine specific lectures, primarily delivered in semester 2, will cover scientific principles underlying good feeding practice including relation to anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Critical analysis of dietary principals for different categories of horse will be explored (e.g. maintenance, working and breeding stock). Lectures may also include reviews and discussion of recent topical research, such as the inclusion of pro and pre-biotics in equine diets due to their actions on hindgut flora and fauna and diet-related diseases.

Nod

The aims of the module are to provide a deep knowledge of broad feeding principals (for example, energy, protein and mineral metabolism and requirements, feed analysis etc.). Once these founding principals have been studied, this knowledge will be applied to specific physiological and anatomical characteristics of the horse in order to formulate rations for different categories of horse whilst avoiding digestive disorders.

Cynnwys

A series of approximately 20 lectures and 2 practicals and 1 workshop.

Weeks 1-10 (semester 1) will cover broad principals of nutrition in 10 x 1hr lectures, 1 practical, 1 workshop:
- Comparative digestive physiology
- Fundamentals of energy metabolism
- Amino acid biochemistry and metabolism
- Roles and functions of minerals and vitamins (2 lectures)
- Dietary analysis and evaluation
- Systems for ration formulation and evaluation

Weeks 12-21 (semester 2) will cover equine-specific nutrition in 9 x 2hr lectures and 1 practical:

- Digestive anatomy and good feeding practice
- Equine digestive tract dissection
- Role of microbial populations and relation to feeding practice
- Digestive upsets and relation to feeding practice
- Ingredients and glycaemic index
- Feeding the competition horse
- Feeding the broodmare and growing horse
- Nutrition as a cause of developmental orthopaedic diseases
- Revision session

Sgiliau Modiwl

Math o Sgiliau	Manylion Sgiliau
Cyfathrebu	Developing and assessing written communication will be an integral part of the assessments for this module.
Datblygu personol a chynllunio gyrfa	Students will be exposed to methodologies used in industry to analyse feeds and formulate rations, which is a key skill for future careers in the field of animal nutrition.
Datrys Problemau	The ration formulation assessment requires calculations of animal requirements and the students to devise a ration that will match as closely as possible the requirement to the nutrient supply.
Gwaith Tim	Students will be required to work in pairs or small groups for the 'homework' tasks and in the practical sessions.
Gwella dysgu a pherfformiad ei hun	Detailed feedback will be given for assessments providing students with detailed guidance on how to improve their work and learning.
Rhifedd	The ration formulation assessment will need the application of some basic mathematical skills, although the calculations will be performed by the software for the student.
Sgiliau pwnc penodol	Ration formulation and matching animal requirements to nutrient supply provided by a specific diet is a subject specific skill in this field.
Sgiliau ymchwil	Students will be expected to demonstrate significant literature research skills in preparation for their assessments, their 'homework' tasks in semester 2, as well as in directed self-study. Student's laboratory skills will be developed in their practical laboratory work.
Technoleg Gwybodaeth	Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases. Students will be expected to deliver their assessments on BlackBoard by uploading documents produced using a word processor, containing written text and illustration. In addition, the ration formulation assessment specifically requires the application of an on-line rationing tool.

Nodau

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 7