The Equine Studies Home Study Courses are designed to give you an introduction and overview to a large number of aspects about the care and skills needed to both care and look after a horse. The Equine Studies Course also cover the basics of riding, grooming and the handling of horses, as well as useful information on buying a horse, and information on stabling and looking after your horse.
On successful completion of this course, students will receive an accredited Level 2 Certificate Award and a Distance Learning Diploma.
The home study courses cover the following units:
Unit One – Evolution of the Horse
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Early horse groups; and Modern horse groups.
Unit Two – Biology of the Horse
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction, An Introduction to the Skeleton of the Horse; Muscles of the Horse and Their Purposes; Muscles of the trunk, back, and ribs; Muscles in the hindquarters; Tendons and ligaments of the lower leg; Organs of the Horse; and Horse Markings.
Unit Three – Horse Breeds
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Abyssinian; Albanian; Appaloosa; Arabian; Clydesdale; Dales Pony; Egyptian; Exmoor Pony; Fell Pony; Hackney; Lipizzan; New Forest Pony; Palomino; Pinto; Shetland Pony and Thoroughbred.
Unit Four – What Horse is Best for you?
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; The Best Breed for You; Age, Size and Sex; Assessing His Body Language and Assessing your prospective buy.
Unit Five – Buying a Horse
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Where to Buy; The Initial Evaluation; Riding the Potential Horse; What to look for during your ride; Question Checklist; The Pre-Purchase Examination and The Coggins Test.
Unit Six – Basic Health & Safety for the Rider & Establishment
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Legal Requirements; Hazards and precautions; Checklist; References and further details; Basic Rider Equipment for Safe Riding; Proper equipment for junior riders (children under age 12); and Proper equipment for adult riders.
Unit Seven – Grooming & Tacking Up
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Choosing a suitable horse; Seek good advice; Choosing a riding academy; Choosing a saddle; The Bridle; and Grooming and tacking up.
Unit Eight – Leading Mounting & Dismounting
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; How to lead a horse; How to ask a horse to stand for mounting; Preparing to mount; Getting a leg up; Holding the reins, and How to dismount
Unit Nine – Walking & Handling
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; How to ask a horse to walk; How to halt a horse; The basics of steering; and Exercises at walk and halt.
Unit Ten – Trotting Basics
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Introduction; Basic riding theory and philosophy; How to maintain a good walk, and why; and How to ride the trot.
Unit Eleven – Stable Care
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Where to Keep your Horse?; Feeding; Pasture; Hay; Concentrates; Water; Shelter and Fencing for Horses; Security; and Safety.
Unit Twelve – Basic Vet Care & First Aid
This lesson includes the following topics: Introduction; Other Emergencies; Equine First Aid Kit; How To Take a Horse’s Temperature; How To Check a Horse’s Pulse; How To Determine The Respiration Rate; How To Check for Gut Sounds; How To Perform a Pinch Test; How To Check CRT; Mucous Membranes; Teeth; What is Colic and Prevention of Colic.
The home study courses also come with a useful Equine Glossary of terms.
Course Duration:
Students may register at any time and have a full year to complete their studies. As the home study courses are self-study you can complete in as little or as long a time as you prefer. The Equine Studies Diploma will take approximately 100 hours of study to complete.
To find out more about this Equine Studies Course visit course provider website.