The biology of the horse
Information from the course leader
Welcome to ”The biology of the horse”!
The course starts August 29 at 13.15 in room Q in Ulls hus. At this course page you find a preliminary schedule and later also grading criteria. Note that there are compulsory activities in the schedule the first days. During the course we will use a “virtual course room” in Canvas, you will get more information in a coming e-email.
We are looking forward to an interesting course together with you!
Åsa and Cecilia (course leaders)
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
HV0180-10157 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for HV0180
Academic year 2021/2022
The biology of the horse (HV0180-10003)
2021-08-30 - 2021-09-29
Academic year 2020/2021
The biology of the horse (HV0180-10080)
2020-08-31 - 2020-09-29
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
HV0180 The biology of the horse, 7.5 Credits
Hästens biologiSubjects
Animal Science Biology Animal science BiologyEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0201 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to:- 80 hp Animal Science or 80 hp Biology, of which at least 7,5 hp animal physiology, 5 hp breeding, and 7,5 hp nutrition
Exemption granted from the general entry requirement of Swedish
Objectives
The course gives the student basic knowledge about the biology, ethology, feeding, breeding and management of the healthy horse.
After the course, the student should be able to:
describe the anatomy, physiology, reproduction biology and behaviour of the healthy horse
describe and apply principles for breeding objectives and methods used within horse breeding
give an overview of the horse’s common diseases, injuries and genetic defects
describe the horse’s nutritional needs, feeding and digestion
perform body condition scoring and visitation of the horse
suggest measures for a sustainable horse keeping
Content
The teaching comprises lectures, exercises, group discussions and projects. Managing organs and live animals may be included in the course. The course gives an introduction to Swedish horse industry and treats subject areas such as anatomy and physiology, ethology, breeding, reproduction, feeding, pasture management and horse keeping. Through the entire course, sustainability, health and welfare are key elements. The students are trained in critically reviewing and suggesting improvements in horse keeping systems.
Mandatory moments are included.
In the course the students practice management of horses and the following generic competences: scientific approach, scientific writing and oral presentation.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved examination and project and active participation in mandatory activities.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Transitional provisions
Exams: At least three retake sessions (renewed exams) must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course. Compulsory elements: At least one opportunity for a retake session must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course.Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
Students that have passed the physiology part of the course "Djurens biologi 3 - fysiologi" has the necessary knowledge of physiology. Students that have passed the course "Djurens nutrition" 7,5 hp, HV0129 or "Djurens utfodring" 7,5 hp, HV0130 has the necessary knowledge in nutrition. Students that have passed the course "Avel 1" 7,5 hp, HV0131 or "Avel 2" 7,5 hp, HV0132 has the necessary knowledge in breeding.Responsible department
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Further information
Litterature list
Course literature The biology of the horse HV0180
More literature will also be made available during the course. All literature is available in Canvas, on the internet or as e-books freely accessed by SLU library. Canvas is the learning platform that will be used in the course.
Behaviour
Brubaker, L. & Udell, M. A. R. 2016. Cognition and learning in horses (Equus callabus): What we know and why we should ask more. Behavioural Processes 126, 121‐131. Canvas
Christensen, J. W., Zharkikh, T. & Chovaux, E. 2011. Object recognition and generalization during habituation in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 129, 83‐91. Canvas
RØrvang, M.V., Nielsen, B.L., McLean, A.N. 2020. Sensory Abilities of Horses and Their Importance for Equitation Science. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 17 pp. Canvas
Sigurjónsdóttir, H. 2007. Equine learning behavior: The importance of evolutionary and ecological approach in research. Behavioural Processes 76, 40‐42. Canvas
Starling, M., McLean, A. & McGreevy, P. 2016. The Contribution of Equitation Science to Minimising Horse‐Related Risks to Humans. Animals 6, 15, 13 pp. Canvas
Anatomy and physiology
Pictures from Atlas der topographischen Anatomie der Haustiere, P. Popesko 1998. Afys 2003. Canvas
Davies Z. (2017) Equine Science. 3 ed. Wiley‐Blackwell ISBN: 9781118741184. Available as E-book at SLU Library.
Nutrition and feeding
Feed table ”Utfodringsrekommendationer för häst (2011), SLU”. Used for all feed ration caclulations. This is a national publication in Swedish, an English translation is available and both will be published at the course start in Canvas.
Journal articles
Müller, C.E. 2018. Silage and haylage for horses. Grass and Forage Science 73, 815-827. Canvas
Carroll, C.L., Huntington, P.J. 1988. Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses. Equine vet. J. (1988) 20 (l), 41-4. Canvas
Henneke, D.R., Potter, G.D., Kreider, J.L., Yeates, B.F. 1983. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares. Equine Vet J. 15(4)371-372. Canvas
Doctoral dissertation
Ringmark, S. 2014. A Forage-Only Diet and Reduced High Intensity Training Distance in Standardbred Horses Growth, Health and Performance https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/11567/1/ringmark_s_141010.pdf
Books
EAAP 2012: Forages and grazing in horse nutrition. 2012. EAAP Publication no 132. Eds. Saastamoinen, Fradinho, Santos, Miraglia. Wageningen Academic Publishers. Available as e-book on SLU Library webpage (use search words “Forages and grazing in horse nutrition”, choose the hit where a full-text option is present, and download it (pdf). In this publication, the following chapters are used in the course:
- pages 197‐208, Grazing and pasture management considerations from around the world (Smith et al.)
- pages 289‐303, Forage feeding systems (Jansson et al.)
Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition (2013), Saunders Elsevier. E‐book, available on SLU library webpage. Use search words ”Equine applied and clinical nutrition” and choose one of the options with a full-text, download as pdf. In this publication, the following chapter is used in the course:
-Chapter 1 Gastrointestinal physiology, Merritt and Julliand, pages 3-32 (in brief)
-Chapter 17 Feedstuffs for horses, J. E. Lindberg, pages 319‐331.
This book covers a wide range of topics in equine nutrition, and although not all of them will be covered in the course, it is wise to download the full book for future reference. Other chapters are also included in lectures but are not mandatory reading.
Breeding and genetics
Albertsdóttir, E. 2010. Integrated genetic evaluation of breeding field test traits, competition traits and test status in Icelandic horses. [Elektronisk] Diss. Hvanneyri: Agricultural University of Iceland. ISBN: 97899798810412. Available: https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/10835/1/elsa%20alb.%20doktorsritgerd.pdf
Andersson, L.S., Larhammar, M., Memic, F., Wootz, H., Schwochow, D., Rubin, C‐J., Patra, K., Arnason, T., Wellbring, L., Hjälm, G., Imsland, F., Petersen, J.L., Mccue, M.E., Mickelson, J.R., Cothran, G., Ahituv, N., Roepstorff, L., Mikko, S., Vallstedt, A., Lindgren, G., Andersson, L. & Kullander, K. (2012). Mutations in DMRT3 affect locomotion in horses and spinal circuit function in mice. Nature 488, 642–646. Canvas
Nikolić, D., Jönsson, L., Lindberg, L., Ducro, B. and Philipsson, J. 2009. Inherited disorders and their management in European Warmblood sport horse breeds. Annual meeting of the 60th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, Barcelona, Spain, 24‐27 August. Canvas
Thiruvenkadan, A.K., Kandasamy, N. & Panneerselvam, S. 2009. Inheritance of racing performance of trotter horses: An overview. Livestock Science (124), 163-181. Canvas
Thorén Hellsten, E., Viklund, Å., Koenen, E.P.C., Ricard, A., Bruns, E. & Philipsson, J. 2006. Review of genetic parameters estimated at stallion and young horse performance tests and their correlations with later results in dressage and show-jumping competition. Livestock Science (103), 1-12. Canvas
Viklund, Å. 2010. Genetic evaluation of Swedish Warmblood horses. [Elektronisk] Diss. Uppsala: Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet. ISBN: 978‐91‐576‐7461‐6. Available: http://pub.epsilon.slu.se/2336/1/viklund_asa_100831.pdf
Reproduction
Dalin, A‐M & Malmgren, L. Compendium in Equine Reproduction. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, pp 1‐38, 69‐71 och 131‐138. Canvas
Davies Z. (2017) Equine Science. 3 ed. Wiley‐Blackwell ISBN: 9781118741184. Available as E-book at SLU Library. Chapter 12.
Horse manure and the environment
Weir et al., 2017. Characterizing ammonia emissions from horses fed different crude protein concentrations. J Anim Sci 2017.95: 3598-3608. Canvas
Parvage et al., 2013. A survey of soil phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)in Swedish horse paddocks. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Enivronment 178, 1-9. Canvas
Airaksinen, S., Heiskanen, M. L. & Heinonen-Tanski, H. (2007). Contamination of surface run-off water and soil in two horse paddocks. Bioresource Technology, 98, 1762-6. Canvas
Parasitology and pasture management
Sellen, D.C. & Long, M.T. 2014. Equine Infectious Diseases. 2nd edition. Saunders. ISBN: 978-1-4557-0891-8. Available as E-book at SLU Library. Chapter 57 & 58.