In this year long equine nutrition course, we will meet weekly to learn about different aspects of the science of equine nutrition. This course will be broken into eight units, each being taught for four - five weeks with a project and/or test at the end of each unit. Learners will develop a cumulative project at the end of the course. 

Unit 1: Basics of Equine Nutrition

In this unit learners will understand the design of plants and their purpose for feeding horses, therefore they will learn the parts of plants and their chemical components that help the horse digest them and convert to energy. They will determine the differences between wild and domesticated equine, as well as develop a deeper understanding of equine digestion, going through each organ to understand its purpose. 

Unit 2: All About Nutrients

In this unit, learners will learn to explain and identify the six basic classes of nutrients, how they are supplied in feed and how they are utilized within the body. Learners will also determine the basics of proteins, minerals and electrolytes and how the body synthesizes them as well as what happens to the horse if these fundamental nutrients are lacking within their diet. 

Unit 3: What to Feed and Why

In this unit, learners will distinguish between feed types; grasses, concentrates, fibers and additional supplements… both learning about identification as well as classification of quality feeds vs. poor quality feeds. They will learn to visually identify pasture grasses that are both desirable and undesirable. Learners will understand how hay is made, how grass grows and alternative options to hay and pasture grass.

Unit 4: Designing a Balanced Feeding Program

In this unit, learners will dive into math! This unit will require more homework, but it will pay off in the end! Learners will learn the basics of calculating rations, through the use of simple algebraic equations and scenarios. We will identify general feeding requirements based on horse breed and body score. 

Unit 5: Feeding for a Lifetime

This unit will be an extension of the previous units, as each unit builds upon the next. We will dive into descriptions of body score conditions and feeding to each to better develop the equine body for ideal conditions. We will look at different scenarios and lifestyle conditions, including idle vs working horses, foals and young horses, pregnant and lactating mares and specialized diets. 

Unit 6: Feed Storage and Food tips

In this unit we will understand the differences of storing grains vs. hay, measuring differences of feed variety and even the difference containers available and which are ideal and why. Students will also compose a feeding checklist specific to their own horses (or what they would do if they had a horse).

Unit 7: Pasture Management

In this unit, learners will develop a better understanding of horse behavior through developing a safe pasture plan. Identifying good pasture for both grazing quality and nutrition as well as poisonous plants that are toxic to horses. Pasture management includes understanding lifecycles of parasites and manure. Warm and Cool season grasses can have toxic traits during certain seasons, so this will also be a discussed.
 
Unit 8: Nutritional Disorders

In this unit,  we will address a variety of nutritional disorders, ranging from Choke to Cushings disease, Thumps, metabolic bone disease, feed toxins, ulcers and underweight horses in addition to more. We will discuss the clinical signs, management and prevention. 

We will also focus on understanding vocabulary, acronyms, conversions, as well as the anatomy of the horse. 

Learners will be tested primarily through projects and oral discussions or quizzes. There will be two semester exams that will cover the entirety of the first and second semesters of the class. 

I teach through a conversational style with lots of engagement from learner and through a ppt style lesson lecture. Learners are encouraged to converse with other students in the course and occasionally will work with other learners in the class on projects.