204-152 Horse Form and Function

202-154 Introductory Biology for Land and Food.

Topics include:

• musculo-skeletal system: osteology, myology, arthrology, desmology;

• respiratory, circulatory, nervous, urinary, digestive systems;

• anatomy and physiology (cellular, tissue, organ) system failure, management issues; functional analysis of the horse;

• functional units: limb and foot action, back, heart and lung capacity;

• physical characteristics of the horse;

• terminology associated with physical characteristics of horses;

• conformation for a particular purpose;

• identifying correct and incorrect conformation of a horse selected for a particular purpose and its effect on performance;

• gaits and gait interferences;

• various gaits of a horse and gait interferences arising from conformation;

• locomotion patterns of the horse in motion with respect to the biomechanics of movement; and

• understanding behaviour, behavioural theories and the evolution of equine behaviour, mechanisms of behaviour, physiological aspects of behaviour, communication and social organisation, management of behaviour, welfare, learning and training.

One 3-hour written examination worth 40% of final marks, three assignments equivalent to 1500 words and worth 20% of final marks each.