- Description
- Students develop practical skills, based on approved practices, for providing the daily care of a horse. Attention will focus on the use of physical facilities, procedures for stall cleaning and bedding a horse, guidelines for turnout and shelter, reproductive fundamentals and techniques, and basic horsemanship.
- Prerequisite
- AGR2070: Equine 1
- Parameters
- Access to a horse and appropriate equine housing/fencing structures. It is recommended that students have a minimum of 50 hours of previous experience in horse handling and horse care prior to commencing the study of AGR2070: Equine 1 and AGR3070: Equine 2. Students must have access to instruction from an individual with specialized training and/or experience related to horsemanship and/or English or Western riding.
- Supporting courses
- HCS2020: First Aid/CPR with AED HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems
Outcomes The student will:
1 identify factors to consider in selecting a stable and other physical facilities
1.1 describe the use of stables and other confinement structures used in caring for horses, including:
1.1.1 fences and shelters
1.1.2 totally confined rearing structures; e.g., barn
1.2 describe criteria relevant to the selection and/or design of structures and equipment, considering:
1.2.1 function, operation and maintenance
1.2.2 safety and efficiency
1.2.3 ethical, legal and environmental factors
1.2.4 economics and cost
1.3 identify specific factors to consider in selecting:
1.3.1 a stall/paddock
1.3.2 the type of flooring
1.3.3 interior ancillary facilities
1.4 describe selection criteria relevant to watering and feeding systems
1.5 describe approved waste management systems
1.6 describe factors to consider in selecting an appropriate type of fencing
1.7 identify policy, legislation and safe practices relevant to the use of physical structures and equipment
2 demonstrate practical skills and approved procedures for stall cleaning, bedding a horse, turnout and shelter
2.1 describe the characteristics of a healthy environment for horses, including:
2.1.1 sanitation
2.1.2 housing
2.1.3 pest control
2.1.4 exercise
2.2 identify agents and sources of stress for a horse and describe their effects on general health
2.3 describe veterinary services that are available and the protocol for accessing these services
2.4 demonstrate appropriate procedures for cleaning and disinfecting stalls
2.5 demonstrate appropriate procedures for bedding a horse
2.6 demonstrate appropriate procedures for turnout and shelter
3 describe the reproductive cycle of horses and describe basic techniques of equine reproduction
3.1 explain reproductive processes characteristic of horses; e.g., estrous cycle, gestation period, natural service/artificial insemination, normal birth process, age criteria for breeding
3.2 identify the signs of the estrous cycle in a mare
3.3 describe methods of preparing a mare and stallion for breeding; e.g., teasing protocol, hormone treatments, artificial light
3.4 describe appropriate procedures for the care and handling of mares and stallions during the breeding season
3.5 explain reproductive technologies that are used in equine breeding; e.g., artificial insemination, embryo transfer, estrus manipulation, gender selection
4 demonstrate approved horsemanship techniques
4.1 demonstrate proper tack fitting
4.2 demonstrate appropriate use of selected bits in communicating with a horse; e.g., snaffle bits, curb bits
4.3 explain applications of various training devices for schooling a horse; e.g., draw rein, German martingale, running martingale, standing martingale, cavesson/headstall, browband
4.4 demonstrate appropriate use of the following artificial aids in reinforcing natural riding aids:
4.4.1 a riding crop
4.4.2 spurs
4.5 demonstrate the natural aids of hands and voice while engaging the horse to:
4.5.1 walk
4.5.2 yield and half halt
4.5.3 halt
4.5.4 turn
4.6 demonstrate the basic positions of the balanced seat at the:
4.6.1 walk
4.6.2 trot
4.6.3 lope/canter
4.7 demonstrate the natural aids of the legs in a balanced seat at the:
4.7.1 walk
4.7.2 trot
4.7.3 lope/canter
4.8 explain the use of psychology in achieving personal riding goals, including:
4.8.1 focusing
4.8.2 visualization
4.8.3 self-talk
5 demonstrate basic competencies
5.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
5.1.1 communicate
5.1.2 manage information
5.1.3 use numbers
5.1.4 think and solve problems
5.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
5.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
5.2.2 be responsible
5.2.3 be adaptable
5.2.4 learn continuously
5.2.5 work safely
5.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
5.3.1 work with others
5.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
6 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
6.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
6.2 identify steps to achieve goals
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.