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This course is designed to provide the student with the skills needed to properly care for horses in a training, boarding or breeding facility. Starting with a review of horse knowledge and the basics of proper horse handling, the student will learn to observe all the conditions which affect the horse, from health care to equipment choice and maintenance. Students will learn the use of different restraints, how to give intermuscular injections and oral medications. Alternative healing therapies will be examined. A video camera is needed and the ability to load videos to a video hosting web site such as You Tube. You must also have access to a horse. I. Review of Basic Horse Knowledge II. Handling Horses A. Safety First B. Daily Interaction with Horses 1. During Stall Cleaning 2. Turn Out 3. Feeding Time 4. Assisting the Vet or Hoof Trimmer 5. Putting on and Removing Blankets 6. Applying Medications or Bandages III. Restraining Horses A. The Quick Release Knot B. Cross Ties C. Lead Chains D. Chutes and Wash Racks E. Twitches F. Hobbles H. Sideline or Scotch Hobble I. Knee Straps IV. The Healthy Horse A. Vital Signs 1. Temperature 2. Pulse 3. Respiration 4. Capillary Refill Time B. Dehydration C. Gut Sounds D. Keeping Records V. Attention to Details A. Observation B. Check for Injuries C. Colic D. Horse Clothes E. Routine Record Check 1. Medications 2. Teeth 3. Deworming a. Types of dewormers b. Administering the dewormer 4. Hoof Care 5. Vaccinations a. Types of vaccinations b. Administering vaccinations 6. Feed a. Types of feed b. Amounts and timing of feedings VI. The Injured or Sick Horse A. Emergency Situations 1. Profuse Bleeding 2. Can't Breath 3. Foaling Problems B. Other Problems 1. Fractures 2. Wounds Requiring First Aid 3. Colic 4. Tying Up 5. Sudden Lameness a. Puncture Wounds to the Hoof b. Thrush 6. Eyes 7. Skin and Coat 8. Contagious Diseases a. Quarantine b. Vital Signs c. Vaccinations C. The Medicine Chest E. Euthanasia F. Humans VII. Leg Wraps and Bandages A. Leg Protection during Shipping B. Types of Bandages 1. Wound Bandages 2. Exercise Wraps 3. Polo Wraps C. Applying Bandages D. Other Exercise Protection 1. Ankle Boots 2. Splint Boots 3. Combination Boots 4. Galloping Boots 5. Open Front Jumping Boots 6. Skid Boots 7. Standing Bandages a. How to Apply 8. Spider Bandages E. Sweats and Poultices F. Care of the Bandages 1. No Chewing! 2. Keeping Bandages Clean VIII. The Facility A. Land B. Fences C. Shelters/Barns D. Stalls E. Manure Management F. Feeders and Waterers G. Hours of Operation IX. Feeding and Supplies A. Basic Nutrition B. Forage 1. Suppliers 2. Storage C. Supplements 1. Feed a. Suppliers b. Storage 2. Commercial Supplements D. Bedding 1. Types 2. Storage X. Coat Conditon and Clipping A. Why Clip? B. Teach the Horse to Tolerate Clipping C. Clippers D. Types of Clips E. Do's and Don'ts XI. Miscellaneous Duties A. Able to Use Equipment 1. Operate Tractors 2. Trailer Towing B. Computer Skills XII. Human Interaction A. Clients 1. Contracts 2. Getting Paid B. Employees 1. Hiring 2. Payroll 3. Workers Comp XIII. Keeping the Books |