Intro to Equine Studies

Introduction to Equine Studies – ARSC 260

2 credits

Instructor: Jen Obrigewitch

Office: 100F or Agrosecurity Office, West Campus

Office Phone: 483-2325 Fax: 483-2055

Home Phone: 565-2369 Cell: 260-2108

Email: jen.obrigewitch@dickinsonstate.edu

Class Time: As pre-described as in the Fall or Spring schedule

Office Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs. Catch me if you can or call to make an appointment.

Text: The Horse by Evan, Borton, Hintz, & Vleck

Course Description

The intent of this course if for the student to learn basic information pertinent to the care, management, and feeding of the light horse. To familiarize the student with the different light horse breeds, proper horse conformation and other considerations in selecting a horse. We will also cover proper horse reproduction, nutrition, and health.

Student Learning Outcomes

Institutional

Critical thinking skills. Exemplified by by “what if” situations and predicting future problems.
Writing/Technology Documented in writing assignments and class presentations of an assigned horse breed, unsoundness, or other topic utilizing a graphics presentation program such as Power Point. Further indicated by researching a horse related topic to be taught to peers by demonstration or by a written paper with a summary presented to class.

Discipline Based Knowledge. Animal history, structure, health, and nutrition topics as noted in course objectives.

Course

Gain additional information to enhance the appreciation of horses as lifelong recreation or in an entrepreneurial endeavor.
Be able to identify the major horse breeds and key historical facts.
Become capable of identifying the parts of horse anatomy, correct anatomical structure and relate this structure to function.
Gain the ability to match a structural unsoundness with a description, diagram, secondary unsoundness or cause.
Be able to describe the reproductive cycle including anatomy, timing, major hormones and their role.
Be able to analyze a horse ration for levels of the major nutrients.Students will be expected to recognize common range grasses and forbs growing in western North Dakota.

Course Content:

Introduction to Horse Science & History

Light Horse Breeds

Structural Correctness and Horse Selection

Common Blemishes and Unsoundness

Reproduction

Horse Health Care & Diseases

Horse Nutrition

Horse Behavior

Student Responsibilities

-Participate in class. Get involved in discussion. ANSWER QUESTIONS.

-Read or listen to directions carefully and follow them. This is an important life skill!

- DO NOT LEAVE ANY QUESTION BLANK

Make an attempt to answer each question on a quiz/test. This is a no brainer.

-BE OBSERVANT. Make mental notes and pay attention to detail.

This is an even more important life skill!!

-Take quizzes and exams when they are scheduled. Most quizzes will be in the field and will be impossible to take at a later date. If you must miss a quiz, notify the instructor AHEAD OF TIME. Arrangements may be made for a paper or assignment to make up for the quiz. No make up will be available if arrangements are not made in advance.

-If you must miss a regular class, please inform the instructor as to your reasons and make arrangements to get notes/handouts from the instructor or a fellow classmate.

-If you miss class for a school related activity, do not assume that the instructor is aware of the activity or that you will not be required to make up work missed due to school activities. If the activity involves several students in class, bring it up ahead of time, in class, and we will discuss alternatives.

Evaluation: (approximate)

1 midterm

1 final

1 demonstration or term paper

quizzes

breed presentations

disease presentation

Labs: reproduction, nutrition, farrier, dentist

A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F You can do better than this, can’t you?

Attendance and participation may be used as a factor to tip the scales in favor of or away from a higher letter grade for students on the borderline.