There are over 100 million horses, donkeys and mules in the world today and owners of these animals can be found on almost every continent and in almost every society. The Horse Course will cover many unique aspects of equine ownership and touch upon the science behind many of today’s management practices.
The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management
Offered By
University of Florida
About this Course
4.8
429 ratings
Skills you will gain
Disease ManagementNutritionAnimal BehaviorVital Signs
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
12 hours to complete
Introduction to The Horse Course
Welcome to Week 1 of The Horse Course! To start off the course, we will begin discussing what exactly an “equid” is. We will cover the many equine species inhabiting our globe. Next, we’ll jump into the history of horses and donkeys, touching upon how they have made such an impact on our own societal development. The second half of week 1 will cover the many breeds of horses and donkeys. We will finish up with a lecture on the equine hybrids.
7 videos (Total 60 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
7 videos
Introduction to the World’s Equids8m
Evolution of Horses and Donkeys10m
Roles of Horses and Donkeys in Human Development8m
Breeds of Horses15m
Breeds of Donkeys4m
The Hybrids7m
1 reading
Week 110m
1 practice exercise
Week 1 Quiz20m
Week
24 hours to complete
Basic Equine Physiology
This week will start out with covering some basic physiology. We will then advance into hoof anatomy and care. This will lead to spending a lecture discussing laminitis, a serious hoof condition in horses and other equids. The final two lectures will jump into the various coat colors and markings in horses.
10 videos (Total 108 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
10 videos
Basic Equine Physiology7m
Hoof Anatomy11m
Hoof Care13m
Laminitis12m
Coat Colors14m
Coat Markings10m
Equipment14m
Grooming13m
Week 2 Assignment Instructions - Aminal Description and Hoof Care Plan4m
1 reading
Week 210m
1 practice exercise
Week 2 Quiz20m
Week
34 hours to complete
Equine Behavior and Training
The topics this week will focus on equid behavior and movement. Understanding how equids relate to their environment and communicate is critical to training and management. We will start this week by examining the basic equine senses and communication. Then we will discuss normal and abnormal behaviors and the basic psychology used in training. We will finish the week discussing the basic gaits and how these animals move.
8 videos (Total 92 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
8 videos
Equine Senses12m
How Horses and Donkeys Communicate16m
Typical Equine Behaviors10m
Abnormal Equine Behaviors16m
Basic Psychology in Training16m
Gaits11m
Week 3 Assignment Instructions - Training Plan5m
1 reading
Week 310m
1 practice exercise
Week 3 Quiz20m
Week
44 hours to complete
Feeding Management
The topics this week will focus on equid nutrition. Understanding how and what to feed these animals is one of the most important aspects of basic care. We will start with digestive anatomy, how to evaluate your animal’s nutrient requirements, and then jump into feeding management. We will round out the week discussing colic and other nutritional disorders.
8 videos (Total 101 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
8 videos
Equine Digestive Anatomy12m
Evaluating Body Condition13m
Nutrient Requirements15m
Components of an Equine Diet16m
Pasture Management16m
Colic16m
Week 4 Assignment Instructions - Feeding Plan5m
1 reading
Week 410m
1 practice exercise
Week 4 Quiz20m
4.8
166 Reviews71%
started a new career after completing these courses
41%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
I have learnt so much by taking this course, so thorough and engaging, ill be sad to not be studying this on my evenings anymore for sure.\n\n100% recommend. Thankyou for holding such a great course.
I have done a equine anatomy and physiology course through Toces in England, and have found when comparing this short online course very insightfull. I would love to do more of these
Instructor
Chris J. Mortensen, Ph.D.
ProfessorAnimal Sciences
About University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in academic excellence, both on campus and online. Ranked in the top 10 of Public Universities, the University of Florida is the state’s oldest university and has a long established tradition of academic excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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