Print Syllabus

Syllabus

PVS0166 Equitation science, 4.0 Credits

Subjects

Animal Science

Education cycle

Postgraduate level

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Admitted to a postgraduate program (PhD, MSc) or passed academic graduate level courses in, i.e. animal science, equine science, veterinary science, agricultural science, biology, ethology

Participants of residency programmes (or other specialization programmes with relevance to equitation science) will also be admitted.

Objectives

After course completion, students shall be able to: describe the horses’ biological needs

• discuss and integrate an ethological approach to training and welfare assessment

• define and explain learning theory and apply it to training, accounting for the horses’ cognitive and sensory abilities

• define abnormal behaviour, reflect upon the development of unwanted behaviour and provide evidence‐based solutions to real life problems

• critically evaluate and explain the effects of management and human/rider on horse welfare

• objectively discuss, communicate, and implement an evidence‐based approach to humanhorse interactions

Content

The course will be held during 5 days and will provide participants with scientific and practical tools with which they can validate humanhorse interactions to identify training methods that are ethical and effective and higlight those that represent problems for horse welfare and human safety. To achieve this, lectures and seminars will cover topics such as equine ethology, perception and communication, applied ethology, equine cognition and learning, applied learning theory, research methods in equitiation sceince and communication of scientific findings to promote evidence based practice.

The course consists of lectures (20hours), group discussions (5 hours) and seminars (15 hours), a home assignment (70 hours) and a practical workshop (5 hours) where theoretical knowledge is put into action to bridge science with practice. Real case scenarios will be implemented throughout.

Formats and requirements for examination

Smallscale literature review on a specific topic relevant to equitation science. Key results shall be presented orally. A popular science article shall be written about the chosen topic and suggestions provided of how to implement results in practice. This will be further developed during active group discussions during the course week and a written report shall be handed in after the course.

• 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 examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course is an online event held 14-15 June, 16-17 Spetember and 11-12 October 2021. Participation during the Zoom meetings is obligatory to promote active learning and engage participants in discussions and cooperation. Pre- and post-assignments for students are obligatory and supervision/guidance will be provided by the main teachers of the course.



For more information, please contact the course organiser:

Dr Elke Hartmann

E-mail: elke.hartmann@slu.se

Phone: +46 76 832 49 00



For application: www.slu.se/gs-vmas-courses

Responsible department

Department of Animal Envrionment and Health