About this Course

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This unique course was developed by veterinarians at the world-renowned University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The course will address horsemanship from a welfare perspective, within the context of “The Five Freedoms” of animal welfare. We’ll explore equine physiology, behavior and basic needs including housing, nutrition, hygiene and disease management. You’ll learn how to perform basic tasks to assess the overall condition of the horse and identify problem areas. We’ll also examine the specialized needs of the equine athlete and the major responsibilities we as owners, handlers or competitors must assume in order to ensure the health and welfare of our equine companions. Finally, we’ll look several special topics in equine welfare including disaster planning and the international welfare efforts now in place to protect working horses and other equids in key industries such as racing, international competition, tourism and even mining. By the conclusion of the course, you will be well equipped to develop a comprehensive welfare plan for any horses in your care.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.85/5 (123 Ratings)

Claudia Sonder, DVM

Emeriti Director of Equine Outreach

Center for Equine Health

19,123 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(2,054 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

The Normal Horse: Basic Physiology

In this module, you will be able to identify the parameters of normal health in a horse. You will be able to measure a horse’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and capillary refill time, or CRT. You will be able recognize ranges of what are considered normal vital signs for the species, breed and individual horse. You will be able to monitor these normals over time to detect changes and alert a veterinarian to a problem.

3 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 72 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

Course Introduction2m

The Five Freedoms5m

Introduction to the Normal Horse59s

Recognizing a Normal, Healthy Horse2m

Assessing Key Vital Signs8m

Evaluating Weight and Body Conditions7m

Recognizing Variations Among Breeds5m

Basic Equine Anatomy and Terminology6m

Natural and Acquired Locomotion and Gaits6m

Hoof Physiology7m

The Musculoskeletal System7m

The Vision and Nervous System10m

2 readings

A Note From UC Davis10m

Suggested Activity: Documenting a Horse's Vital Signs30m

1 practice exercise

Module 1 Quiz30m

Week

2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Maintaining Good Hydration and Nutrition

In this module, you will be able to discuss the water needs of a the horse. You will be able to manage and meet those needs in a variety of situations. You will be able to discuss dehydration and be able to test for a horse's level of hydration. You will be able to properly assess hydration status and will have some knowledge of ways to prevent and react to dehydration. You will be able to identify essential parts of a horse's digestive system. You will be able to discuss the characteristics of a horse's digestive system and be able to develop a nutritional plan suitable for your horse. You will be able to successfully communicate with your veterinarian about your horse's water and nutrition needs.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 52 min)

Week

3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Providing Proper Care and a Safe Environment

In this module, you will be able to discuss proper husbandry for your horse. You will be able to identify the second of the five freedoms – freedom from discomfort. You will be able to recognize the importance of creating a proper and safe environment. You will also be able to analyze best practices for proper flooring, bedding, footing, exercise, and safety for both you and your horse. You will be able to review the steps needed for emergency preparedness, evacuation, and rescue situations. You will be able to develop a safety plan utilizing the standards of care for your facility.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 62 min)

Week

4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Assess Fitness, Prevent Common Diseases and Injuries

In this module, you will be able to discuss common injuries and diseases that can afflict horses. You will be able to identify the characteristics of the fit horse and the impact of fitness in injury prevention. You will be able to recognize common symptoms of illness, discomfort, and pain and the importance of hoof and dental care. You will be able to review common fly management and deworming practices. You will be able to prepare a vaccination plan for disease prevention.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 59 min)

9 videos

Fitness and Health1m

Assess Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal Fitness5m

Maintaining Health and Preventing Common Ailments5m

Deworming: Centerpiece of a Preventative Health Program6m

Preparing a Vaccination Plan for Disease Prevention4m

Hoof and Dental Care5m

Preventing Diseases with Biosecurity5m

Recognizing Signs of Pain and Discomfort7m

Common Ailments and Injuries18m

1 practice exercise

Module 4 Quiz30m

Reviews

4.9

108 reviews

5 stars
89.02%
4 stars
9.40%
3 stars
0.94%
2 stars
0.62%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EQUINE WELFARE AND MANAGEMENT

by MAOct 20, 2018

that's really a great course and the course open my mind more and more and provide me with more information about Equines.

by RMFeb 25, 2021

This course is solid in its information, interesting in its presentation, full of good resources, and able to be paced to fit in with my work schedule. It was definitely worth my time and effort.

by AJNov 28, 2020

This course gives a better understanding of animal rights, particularly horses, their physiological management and mental well being. Thank you very much for developing this course.

by GDNov 11, 2020

everyone who owns a horse should take this course.. it is essential knowledge to advocating for your horses we'llfare and safety and also improves your relationship building with horses.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Equine Welfare and Management

Equine Welfare and Management

About this Course