Description
This is an online, self-paced introductory course in equine anatomy with the addition of very useful information on horse health, normal vital signs and warning signs for when to call the vet, information on how the horse’s body moves, how muscles work together, and basic information on physiology and conditioning.
The course is based on three textbooks: Horse Anatomy for Performance by Gillian Higgins, The Horse Anatomy Workbook by Maggie Raynor, and The Horse Conformation Handbook by Heather Smith Thomas.
Horse Anatomy for Performance is a very well-illustrated book that makes study enjoyable and easy to understand. It covers much more than anatomy, taking the study towards an understanding of how the horse functions and moves, providing information on how to provide support in the competitive environment.
The Horse Anatomy Workbook is an excellent anatomical resource and uses coloring and labeling exercises to help students better absorb and retain the information presented. It will become a go-to part of the student’s reference library.
The Horse Conformation Handbook discusses form and function in the horse as well as some of the issues that can arise from conformationally challenged horses.
In addition to the textbooks, there are several articles included with additional information from well-respected sources related to equine health and lameness issues.
This course is suitable for horse owners, veterinary technicians, equine massage therapists, horse trainers, and anyone desiring to work in the equine industry. The format is self-paced, independent online study and must be completed within a 12 month time-frame. It is estimated that the time commitment will be approximately 75 hours.
Required Books
- Horse Anatomy for Performance by Gillian Higgins, 2012
- The Horse Anatomy Workbook by Maggie Raynor, 2006
- The Horse Conformation Handbook by Heather Smith Thomas, 2005
Heather (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed this course and found it to be extremely informative. The textbooks used are easy to understand and the course is broken down into easy-to-manage segments. It’s not only a great introduction to equine anatomy but also covers various common health conditions that every horse owner should be aware of and understand. When I had questions, the facilitator was easy to contact, friendly, and responded in a timely manner. I recommend this course to anyone wanting to broaden their knowledge of equine anatomy.
All the best,
Heather M
Julie H (verified owner) –
“What a great course this has been! I highly recommend it. The breadth and depth of the material forced me to round out my knowledge, and I found the teaching approach to be very effective. The print and online resources continue to be very useful, as they form a mental bibliography I can turn to when I’m problem solving with friends and practitioners. I am now a more effective communicator in horse health and performance conversations – and that is making all the difference to growing my learning!”