RS20320 - THE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HORSE

Module Identifier

RS20320

Module Title

THE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HORSE

Academic Year

2006/2007

Co-ordinator

Dr Basil T Wolf

Semester

Semester 2

Course delivery

Practical

4 x 3 hour practicals per semester

Lecture

1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Lecture

1 x 2 hour lecture per week

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Assignment (2000 words write-up of practical classes) Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	40%
Semester Exam	2 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	60%
Supplementary Exam	2 Hours	60%
Supplementary Assessment	Assignment (write-up of practical classes)	40%

Learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss the importance of parasites from a practical perspective;

2. Identify and describe common equine disorders and their causes;

3. Identify situations where veterinary assistance is required;

4. Identify and describe the clinical symptoms of equine musculo-skeletal disorders;

5. Discuss equine behaviour from a clinical perspective.

Content

This module will present information on issues relating to the health of the horses in particular symptoms and aetiology of common equine ailments. Guidelines will be given as to when and how common conditions can be treated by the horse-owner, and in other instances where professional veterinary treatment should be sought. In addition, and from a clinical perspective, abnormal behaviour of the horse will be discussed, how it affects the health of the horse and what treatments may be attempted to rectify these conditions.

The following topics will be covered within this module:

Normal equine behaviour
Temperament assessment of the horse
Abnormal equine behaviour
Treatment of clinical abnormal equine behaviour
Perinatal and postnatal care of the foal. Management and disease prevention
Ventilation and environment in relation to equine respiratory disease
Coughing as a medical problem
Parasites- lifecycles and their control
Anthelmintics
Skin diseases
Toxic plants
Wound management and dressings
Tetanus
Clinical assessment of wounds
Effects of drugs on performance of the horse
Colic- causes, prevention and treatment
Lameness- clinical diagnosis and treatment

Module Skills

Research skills	Students will have to research the given assignment topic from a variety of sources in order to obtain the correct information and facilitate the completion of the written assignment.
Communication	Written communication will be developed and assessed through the written assignment
Improving own Learning and Performance	Improving own learning and performance will be developed and assessed through both the written assignment and end of term examination.
Team work	Practical sessions will require students to work together and help each other in small groups.
Information Technology	To complete the written assignment students will have to obtain information from a variety of sources including books, web sites, journal articles etc. This will involve the use of IT retrieval systems such as Voyager.
Subject Specific Skills	Equine parasite control. Recognition of common equine ailments including behavioural disorders.

Reading Lists

Books
Boden (1991) Equine practice series
Devereux and Morrison (1992) The veterinary care of the horse
GRAY (1994) Respiratory disease
Gray (1994) Lameness
Gray (1994) Parasites and skin diseases
Mills and Nankervis (1999) Equine behaviour: principles and practice
Riegel and Hakola (1996) Illustrated atlas of clinical equine anatomy and common disorders of the horse

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5