Equine Science

EQSC 100 HORSEBACK RIDING - 1 hr
Safety and good horsemanship are stressed throughout all courses. During the 10-week academic quarter students receive a weekly class in dressage or hunt seat. Students will develop the skills necessary to compete in inter-scholastic/intercollegiate and/or open horse shows. Beginning riders will learn basic introductory skills in riding and horse care. All students must supply their own hard-soled, over-the-ankle boots. ASTM / SEI helmets and all other riding equipment are provided for beginners. Intermediate and advanced students must wear breeches and boots, or half chaps. All students must complete and pass the physical fitness test before they may ride. All riding lessons carry an additional fee which is published in the Schedule of Classes available at the Registrar�s Office.

EQSC 110 INTRODUCTION TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY - 3 hrs
Lecture. This course is designed to introduce students to the horse industry. Aspects of equine evolution and the role of the horse throughout history will be examined, as well as their current and future uses. Parts of the horse, colors and markings will be covered. Different breeds and disciplines will be studied. Students may take a proficiency test to receive advanced standing for this course.

EQSC 111 BASIC HORSE HANDLING - 1 hr
Laboratory. Clinical work covers the practice of topics covered in EQSC 110, including handling, grooming and preventive health care, appropriate use of restraint, tack fitting and behavioral observation, with an emphasis on the safe and effective handling of animals, and ethical practices. Students may take a proficiency test to receive advanced standing for this course.

EQSC 120 EQUINE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 3 hrs
Lecture. This course is designed to introduce students to equine anatomy and physiology. Specifically, the course will cover bone and muscle anatomy and physiology as well as the physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, control, and digestive systems. Behavior with respect to cognition and the senses will be covered. Students will be introduced to equine genetics with respect to breeding and coat color. Prereq: EQSC 110 or placement.

EQSC 125 EQUINE MANAGEMENT & HEALTH MONITORING - 3 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. This course explores the important topic issues related to equine management and health monitoring. Students will study current equine management literature. It is designed to be an experiential course in which students spend up to 2 hours, 5 mornings a week at the Equine Center, and undertake the complete care and health monitoring of 2 horses. Lectures on selected equine management topics with current journal articles will be used in each week�s rotation, highlighting the different philosophies and approaches to horse care and stable management. Prereq: EQSC 111 or placement.

EQSC 130 CONFORMATION AND JUDGING - 3 hrs
Lecture. This course is designed to help students develop the ability to critically judge horses. Aspects of conformation, blemishes and unsoundnesses will be covered. Proper way of going and gaits will also be examined. Students will learn to judge several disciplines, such as the halter horse, hunter under saddle, reining, equitation, using guidelines for criteria, placement and rationales. Prereq: EQSC 110 or placement.

EQSC 141 PRACTICUM - 1 hr
All majors are required to take three hours of practicum. Topics vary each quarter, and have included horse trailering, forage evaluation, wound care and bandaging, course design, tractor driving and maintenance, and many more. Students are welcome to make recommendations. May be repeated for a maximum of five credits.

EQSC 250 TEACHING METHODS - 3 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. This course is designed for the student who intends to teach riding and provides an in-depth study of the pupil, school horse, teaching techniques, business procedures, ethics and responsibilities. Students will observe and assist in the instruction of a riding class. Prereq: EQSC 130 and permission. Riding test may be required.

EQSC 260 TEACHING PRACTICUM I - 2 hrs
Students continue to observe the instructor in a scheduled equitation class. Students will take full responsibility and prepare lessons for supervised instruction of a small group of students for eight weeks. Prereq: EQSC 250.

EQSC 270 TEACHING PRACTICUM II - 2 hrs
The same format will be followed as for Teaching Practicum I except that students will teach riders who are at a more advanced level. Prereq: EQSC 260; students who complete EQSC 270 will receive a rider instruction certificate.

EQSC 280 FARRIER SCIENCE I - 2 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory experience dealing with the anatomy and physiology of the foot and lower leg of the horse: bone structure, tendons, ligaments, innervation and circulation. Emphasis is on the internal anatomy of the foot as well as proper tools and shoe types. Prereq: EQSC 120.

EQSC 290 FARRIER SCIENCE II - 2 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory experience related to the correction of conformation and motion through corrective trimming. The student obtains both theoretical and practical experience for a comprehensive study of lameness and methods of correcting pathological conditions that arise from poor conformation. Students also study techniques of specialty shoeing for a variety of conditions. Prereq: EQSC 280 or permission of instructor.

EQSC 295 SYSTEMS COURSE I - 5 hrs
Lecture and Laboratory. The 4 systems courses deal with the anatomy, physiology, associated diseases or disorders, diagnostic techniques, treatment and care, and prevention as they relate to each body system. The courses are designed to allow the student to attain a global perspective and understanding of the horse as a functioning unit made up of interrelated and interdependent body systems. Systems Course I covers the following areas: ophthalmology, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, hematology and immunology. Laboratory sessions include lessons in the application of ophthalmic medications, venipuncture, and administration of intramuscular injections and oral preparations. Prereq: EHLT majors: CHEM 110; EQSC 120; L SC 108, 109 or permission EPRE majors: EQSC 120; L SC 101, 102, 103, or permission

EQSC 296 SYSTEMS COURSE II - 5 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. Systems Course II continues the study of the horse, by focusing on the gastrointestinal system, urinary system, and endocrinology. Especially emphasized are the many colic disorders that affect the horse. Laboratory sessions include dissection of the abdominal cavity, including the stomach, small intestine, cecum, large intestine, liver, and pancreas. In addition, the kidneys and bladder, and the reproductive tract of the mare and the stallion are dissected, in preparation for Systems Course III. Interested students may attend the annual four-day Midwest Veterinary Conference in February. Prereq: EQSC 295, or permission.

EQSC 301 SYSTEMS COURSE III - 5 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. This course focuses on the broodmare, stallion, and the foal. Included is information about natural breeding, artificial insemination, and recent developments in frozen semen use and embryo transfer. A field trip to Lexington, Kentucky includes visiting a leading breeding facility and equine veterinary hospital. Laboratory experiences include proper and safe cleaning of the sheath and external genitalia, semen collection, observation of reproductive ultrasonography, foal imprinting, and halter breaking. Students are required to participate on the Foalwatch Team, which annually foals out approximately 70 broodmares. Prereq: EQSC 296, or permission.

EQSC 302 SYSTEMS COURSE IV - 5 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. Systems Course IV focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and the integument. Laboratory exercises include fore and rear limb dissection, lameness evaluation, radiography, tendon ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy, and other advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. In the area of neurology, students learn to distinguish between lameness and neurologic deficits, and are exposed to many advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used in neurology. Prereq: EQSC 301, or permission.

EQSC 305 EQUINE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT - 5 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. This course is designed to provide information about the diseases against which horses are commonly vaccinated, methods of strategic parasite control, wound care, and medical bandaging. Students will be introduced to the basic principles of immunology which serve as the basis for vaccination programs. Using the guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, vaccination programs will be examined based on the intended use of the horse, the horse�s age, and pregnancy status. Laboratory sessions will be devoted to techniques of medicine administration (oral administration and intramuscular injection), wound care, bandaging techniques, and the more common medications maintained at equine centers. Prereq: EQSC 120 Equine Anatomy and Physiology.

EQSC 311 EQUINE NUTRITION - 5 hrs
Lecture and laboratory. An in-depth study of equine nutrition, including absorption, metabolism and feed sources of nutrients. Included are ration balancing, determining nutritive needs, the use of supplements, problems associated with feeds and feeding, and toxic plants. An introduction to exercise metabolism and feeding the equine athlete is also included. Prereq: EQSC 301, or permission.

EQSC 320 EQUINE MARKETING - 5 hrs
Lecture. A study of business management practices as they commonly affect horse related businesses. The goals will be to develop skills to read, analyze, and produce financial statements; to analyze and develop creative marketing and business plans for an equine business; and to become an effective member of a consulting team. Prereq: ACCT 200; ENG 335; EQSC 110 or placement, or permission.

EQSC 330 EQUINE FACILITY DESIGN AND AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT - 3 hrs
Lecture and Laboratory. This course focuses on the design and management of equine facilities from the point of view of horse management and logistical efficiency. Topics covered include facility layout and construction options as affected by climate and regional custom, pasture and waste management from nutritional and environmental points of view, material options for facility construction and ongoing operating supplies, equipment use and maintenance, storage and land use issues. Lab sessions include both hands on practice and field trips to area facilities. Prereq: EQSC 110 or placement, or permission.

EQSC 341 SERVICE LEARNING - 1 hr
Students in Service Learning provide a program or a service to a group such as physically or mentally challenged riders, 4-H groups, inner city children, or groups requiring knowledge of safe horse handling. Students will prepare a statement of goals, objectives, methods, and the material to be covered. Students will be required to submit a short paper summarizing the experience. Prereq: EQSC 110 or placement, and permission.

EQSC 350 LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY - 5 hrs
Lecture. This course provides an introduction to legal issues as they commonly affect the equine industry and exposure to legal research. Topics covered include purchase and sales law, personal injury and property damage liability, contracts, agency, employment issues, zoning and land use issues, environmental regulation, animal welfare regulation, and sports governance by private associations. Prereq: ACCT 200, ENG 335, or permission.

EQSC 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY - 1-5 hrs
Students may pursue a minor research project or continue with more advanced work in equine science department offerings. Prereq: EQSC 130, or permission of instructor.

EQSC 410 CONTEMPORARY AND EMERGING ISSUES - 5 hrs
Lecture. This course focuses on the controversial issues facing the equine industry. Topics may include cloning of horses, professional codes of conduct of veterinarians and trainers, the unwanted horse and horse slaughter, pregnant mare urine farms, rescue organizations, standards of care, rules of competitions, and social responsibility. Prereq: Junior or senior level standing.

EQSC 490 INTERNSHIP - 3-15 hrs
Students are encouraged to engage in internship experiences throughout their academic careers. Official application and internship contract development should start no later than the beginning of the quarter prior to registration for the internship. If a final internship is required, it must be undertaken when all other equine science courses have been completed. Prereq: Permission of instructor.