Maricopa Community Colleges  EQS105   19952-19972 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/22/94
EQS105 19952-19972 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Principles of Equine Science
Equine selection; basic conformation; form to function; soundness and shoeing; feed management; behavior, restraint, and managed health concept; equipment selection and usage. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
EQS105   19952-19972 Principles of Equine Science
1. Describe the horse industry of today at the national level and in Arizona. (I)
2. Identify and describe the major equine breeds by appearance and usage. (II)
3. Identify and describe desirable conformation traits for horse evaluation, proper selection, and suitability to purpose. (III, IV)
4. Identify gaits and foot-fall sequences. (V)
5. Identify aspects of equine vision and describe how vision is related to performance. (V)
6. Identify and describe common equine diseases and indicate appropriate methods of control . (VI)
7. Identify and describe common internal parasites and indicate appropriate methods of control. (VI)
8. Describe the inter-relationship among the necessary elements of a managed health program. (VI)
9. Identify and describe the basic principles of equine nutrition and food management. (VII)
10. Identify common stable vices. (VIII)
11. Identify and describe necessary basic equine management practices. (VIII)
12. Identify health problems associated with inadequate management practices. (VIII)
13. Indicate Arizona and inter-state hauling regulations. (VIII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
EQS105   19952-19972 Principles of Equine Science
    I. The Horse Industry of Today
        A. National Data
          1. Popular Breeds
          2. Areas of Concentration
        B. Arizona Data
          1. Popular Breeds
          2. Areas of Concentration
        C. Role of the American Horse Council
      II. Breeds, Colors, and Markings
          A. Major Equine Breeds
            1. American Quarter Horse
            2. Thoroughbred
            3. Arabian
            4. Color Breeds (Pinto, Paint, Appaloosa)
          B. Basic Coat Colors
            1. Chestnut
            2. Black
            3. Roan
            4. Bay
            5. Grey
            6. Foals
          C. Markings
            1. Facial
            2. Body
            3. Leg
            3. Hoof Color
        III. Horse Selection
            A. Should you Buy a Horse?
            B. How to Buy Horse.
            C. Where to Buy a Horse
            D. Pre-purchase Exams
              1. Personal
              2. Veterinarian
          IV. Horse Evaluation
              A. Basic Conformation
                1. Points of the Horse
                2. Desirable Characteristics
              B. Limb Structure
                1. Basic Skeletal Structure
                2. Major Ligaments and Tendons
                3. Common Blemishes and Problems
              C. Hoof Structure
                1. Desirable Characteristics
                2. Major Structures and Functions
              D. Hoof Care
                1. Trimming
                2. Shoeing
                3. The Well-shod Hoof
              E. Hoof Problems
                1. Laminitis
                2. Navicular
                3. Thrush/Scratches
                4. Contracted Heels
            V. Equine Performance
                A. Gaits and Foot-fall Sequences
                  1. Walk
                  2. Basic Paces
                  3. Trot
                  4. Canter
                  5. Gallop
                  6. Back
                B. Equine Vision
                  1. Monocular
                  2. Binocular
                  3. Visual Focus
                  4. Color
                  5. Night Vision
                  6. Blind Spots
                C. Relationship of Vision to Performance Events
              VI. Managed Health Program
                  A. Normal Vital Signs
                    1. Establishing a Baseline
                    2. Temperature/Pulse/Respiration
                  B. Signs of Illness and Disease
                    1. Visual Indicators
                  C. Common Equine Diseases and Their Control
                    1. Influenza
                    2. Encephalomyelitis
                    3. Tetanus
                    4. Rhinopheumonitis
                    5. Strangles
                    6. Potomac Horse Fever
                    7. Equine Infectious Anemia
                  D. Internal Parasites and Their Control
                VII. Equine Feeding and Nutrition
                    A. Teeth
                      1. Types
                      2. Functions
                      3. Problems
                    B. Digestive System
                      1. Components
                      2. Functions
                      3. Efficiency
                    C. Basic Nutritional Requirements
                      1. Energy/Grains
                      2. Roughage/Hays
                      3. Water
                      4. Salt
                      5. Vitamins
                      6. Minerals
                    D. Feed Management
                  VIII. Basic Equine Management Practices
                      A. Common Stable Vices
                        1. Weaving
                        2. Cribbing
                        3. Wind Sucking
                        4. Stall Walking
                        5. Kicking
                        6. Pawing
                        7. Eating Bedding
                        8. Tail Rubbing
                      B. Inadequate Management Practice/Problems
                        1. Pulmonary Emphysema
                        2. Colic
                        3. Scratches
                        4. The Cast Horse
                      C. Arizona Hauling Regulations
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