Course Description

IES001 Equine Anatomy & Physiology

The study of the anatomy of the horse's body systems including skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, digestive, reproductive, and endocrine systems. Physiology will study the way the body functions for growth, nutrition, metabolism and neurological response at the cellular, systemic and total body levels.

IES002 Equine Reproduction

The processes involved with the reproductive organs of the mare and stallion. These include estrous and ovulation as well as sperm production, facets of artificial insemination, and natural breeding. The role of reproductive hormones and their sources, as well as pathological and environmental conditions that directly affect the reproductive process. Care of the neonate and related diseases and management of the foal.

IES003 Equine Psychology and Behavior

The history, evolution, and development of the horse. An in depth study of the horse's psyche. Covering imprinting, bonding, fright, and flight, as well as restraint in herd and hand activities. Behavior of the horse including the affects of the senses - hearing, smell, sight, and touch. Behavior of the normal and abnormal horse will be studied from birth through old age.

IES004 Equine Nutrition and Metabolism

The digestive system of the horse, the functions and properties of nutrients, effects of proper nutrition at different stages of life and various activities, feeding for growth and performance and avoidance of metabolic and nutritional disorders. Include ration balancing, group feeding and the economic parameters of different feeds. Studying the routes that nutrition passes within the body to its use at the cellular level as needed for growth, maintenance, performance, stress and geriatric periods.

IES005 Infectious Diseases of the Horse

A study of domestic and foreign diseases affecting the horse, including zoonotic (infective to man). Transmissible and contagious diseases will include parasitism (internal and external), viruses, bacterial pathogens, fungal and monocellular infections. Though not infectious, toxic agents, such as, aflotoxicosisand and botulism will be included. Recognition of disease signs and current therapy, as well as methods of prevention will be discussed.

IES006 Equine Pharmacology and Emergency Care

The use and effects of drugs, medications and neutriceuticals in equine therapy. Care of the horse in emergency situations, including first aid, disaster effects, transportation accidents and the proper administration of common pharmaceuticals used in the equine industry. The preparation of emergency plans for small to large equine operations to cope with emergencies (fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.), as well as individual horse emergencies (colic, accidents, injuries) will be formulated.

IES007 Equine Conformation and Locomotion

An in depth study of the biodynamics, biomechanics and biophysics of exercise. From for function will demonstrate the effect of conformation on use limitations, lameness potentiation, or irreparable breakdown. Therapeutic foot trimming and shoeing and the role they play in the maintenance of soundness and the treatment (or production of) lameness.

IES008 Equine Complimentary Medicine

A broad overview of the therapeutic uses of alternative medicine for the horse, as well as the synergistic benefit of the blending of Eastern and Western Medicine. These will include acupuncture, chiopracy, herbolism, and holistic therapies.

IES009 Equine Farm Agronomics

The study of farm and pasture management, pasture maintenance, and forage crop production. Farm design, from fencing lay-out and building structure will be considered. Proper relationship with the environment of equine ecosystems, and current EPA regulations will be stressed.

IES010 Equine Business Management

Proper business plan production and methods of implementation. Insurance, tax codes and associated liability considerations, as well as good business practices will be stressed, along with acceptable record keeping by available computer programs. It will explore the variety of decisions that are required in an equine business reflecting the important considerations which horse owners must make regarding the economic benefits of management whether in the business for pleasure and/or profit.

IES011 Equine Hoof Anatomy and Physiology

"No hoof, no horse" reflects the importance of the horse's foot in the overall health and care of the horse. Understanding the intricate anatomical and physiological aspects of the healthy foot, as well as abnormal conditions of the equine foot is paramount to good horsemanship. Diseases of the hoof and their treatment (historic and current) as well as the art of farriery and variety of shoes used to treat specific disease conditions will be studied.

IES012 Applied Equine Appointments

This course examines the complete range of equipment, tack, devices, and circumstances where horses are involved. Proper fitting of tack, its nomenclature, and use in various disciplines, its care and application for the least production of stress will be covered in depth. Exploration of the wide range of utilization of the horse historically and currently around the world will be studied.