The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

2 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

Welcome to The Horse Course4m

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 readings

Week 110m

1 practice exercises

Week 1 Quiz20m

2

Section

4 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

Week 2 Welcome Video4m

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 readings

Week 210m

1 practice exercises

Week 2 Quiz20m

3

Section

4 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

Week 3 Welcome Video3m

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 readings

Week 310m

1 practice exercises

Week 3 Quiz20m

4

Section

4 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

Week 4 Welcome Video5m

Equine Digestive Anatomy12m

Evaluating Body Condition13m

Nutrient Requirements15m

Components of an Equine Diet16m

Pasture Management16m

Colic16m

Week 4 Assignment Instructions - Feeding Plan5m

1 readings

Week 410m

1 practice exercises

Week 4 Quiz20m

5

Section

4 hours to complete

Maintaining Equine Health

The topics this week will focus on equine health. Monitoring and taking care of your animal’s health is critical to owning any equid. We will start off with the normal equine vital signs and then we will discuss administering first aid to your animals. We will then cover the different parasites and diseases that can afflict these animals. Finally, we will end the week discussing some common genetic disorders....

8 videos (Total 108 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

8 videos

Week 5 Welcome Video6m

Equine Vital Signs13m

First Aid16m

Internal Parasites16m

External Parasites9m

Equine Diseases23m

Equine Genetic Disorders16m

Week 5 Assignment Instructions - Health Management Plan6m

1 readings

Week 510m

1 practice exercises

Week 5 Quiz20m

6

Section

3 hours to complete

Breeding Management

The topics this week will focus on equine reproduction. Breeding is an important component of the equine industry. We will start off this week with some basic anatomy, including what makes the equids unique. Then we will cover the estrous cycles of mares and jennies, followed by common breeding systems used throughout the world. After discussing unique aspects of equine pregnancy and parturition, we will finish out the week covering some management tips for taking care of the newborn foal....

8 videos (Total 115 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

Week 6 Welcome Video7m

Equine Reproductive Anatomy - Female16m

Equine Reproductive Anatomy - Male10m

Estrous Cycle19m

Breeding Systems12m

Pregnancy17m

Parturition15m

Post Foaling Care15m

1 readings

Week 610m

1 practice exercises

Week 6 Quiz20m

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 pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.

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The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management