Typically Offered: Every spring semester
Prerequisites and Other Registration Restrictions: The prerequisites are Animal Nutrition 11:067:330 and Horse Management 11:067:384, or permission of Dr. Carey Williams. It is highly recommended that students have a strong background in biological sciences and have taken courses in basic nutrition and horse management (or equivalent life experience) if taking this course for a grade. Registration is available through the SEBS Online Course Registration website (for matriculated or visiting students) and through the SEBS Office of Continuing Professional Education (for continuing education students).
- Note to Continuing Education Students: This 14-week program is an undergraduate course that is offered on a noncredit basis to horse owners, trainers, feed sales representatives, or anyone interested in the topic. If you register as a continuing education student, you will receive continuing education units (3.6 CEUs) rather than undergraduate college credits. If you receive an 80% or more in the class, you will also receive a certificate of completion. Please note that a high school diploma is required and a background in biology and physiology is useful.
Format: Readings, mini-case studies, videos and computer programs for ration balancing, and a class group written and video project
Description: This is a fairly advanced course designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the nutritional management and requirements of horses. Topics include: gastrointestinal physiology, digestion, essential nutrients, feeds and supplements, reading feed tags, evaluating a forage analysis, pasture management, ration analysis and balancing, nutritional deficits and excesses, nutrition related diseases, and nutritional management of mares, stallions, foals, and performance horses. There is extensive use of readings, videos, and case studies. The course is appropriate for both novice and experienced horse enthusiasts, though some background in both nutrition and equine science is necessary to excel in the course.
Evaluation: The evaluation of student performance is based on weekly discussions and assignments, 4 online quizzes, 4 case studies, and the final feeding program project.
Other Requirements Texts: (1) Equine Nutrition and Feeding, ed. David Frape, 4th edition, 2010, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing; (2) National Research Council: Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th revised edition, 2007. Supplemental text: Horse Pasture Management, ed. Paul H. Sharpe, 1st edition, 2018, Academic Press.