Course overview

This course has been designed to meet the academic and practical needs of a broad range of individuals seeking careers within the growing international equine industry.

The specific aims of this course are:

• for you to acquire and demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underpinning Equine Studies to Bachelor Degree level;
• to develop your ability to access relevant information and communicate the principles of the subject both orally and in writing;
• to develop your relevant manipulative and analytical skills and the ability to apply these within a theoretical and practical framework;
• to enable you to acquire and demonstrate and critically appraise a range of practical skills and experience in Equine Studies and related areas of science;
• to promote your ability to originate and test ideas scientifically and critically review results obtained;
• to develop your range of transferable skills and competencies (oral communication, writing, numerical and computational) including strategies to update personal and employment competencies relevant to careers in Equine Studies and a wider range of graduate employment opportunities;
• to enable you to acquire an understanding of the wider social, economic and ethical implications of Equine Studies;
• for you to be able to demonstrate expertise in the handling and husbandry of horses;
• to enable you to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of normal and abnormal behaviours of the horse in a range of management and training scenarios;
• to promote your development as a reflective, flexible, independent learner with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Additional course information

In addition to the fundamental understanding of horse anatomy, physiology, health and traditional training methods, the course will give you the opportunity to explore both the science and practical application of the latest techniques in the equine world including those used in:

• reproduction through artificial insemination and embryo transfer and
• equine training techniques.

Class tuition will be complemented by a range of visits to equine events and establishments. Upon completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• key aspects of equine behaviour, management and welfare. You will have acquired a coherent and detailed knowledge that is at, or is informed by, the forefront of the discipline;
• terminology, nomenclature and classification systems as appropriate;
• current developments within the Equine Industry and the philosophical, social and ethical issues involved. You will be aware of the contribution of Science to debate and controversies, and how this knowledge and understanding forms the basis for informed concern about the quality and sustainability of life;
• using methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing relevant scientific information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use through the study of texts, original papers, reports and data sets;
• how to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some at the forefront of equine welfare;
• how to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in equine behaviour, management and welfare;
• methods and techniques that you have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply your knowledge and understanding; to initiate and undertake projects in equine behaviour, management and welfare;
• the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge particularly with regard to understanding of applied aspects of equine behaviour, management and welfare;
• your ability to manage your own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (e.g. refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Equine Studies).

Module guide

Assessment

The assessment will vary depending upon the module in question but will include essays, case studies, exams and portfolio preparation. There will be a strong emphasis on the assessment of 'hands-on' practical activity.

Facilities

Students will have access to the full range of facilities at both the College of West Anglia (CWA) and Anglia Ruskin University. The equine facilities at CWA have recently undergone extensive refurbishment and now include an Equine Rehabilitation Centre. Students will gain expertise in the operation of the state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment, including an aqua treadmill, equine spa, solarium and equine gait analysis video equipment and software.

Study abroad options

There will be an optional, student-funded field trip to look at animal management systems, which students will be eligible to participate in once they have completed 240 credits of study.

Links with industry and professional recognition

There will be extensive involvement of industry professionals in the assessment of students' knowledge and practical competence within various modules of the equine studies degree programme, in particular equine topics (such as equine husbandry, groundwork, event management etc), to ensure an appropriate industry standard has been reached.

Work placements

A number of short educational placements will allow students to apply their growing knowledge and skills in a work setting.

The majority of students will also be required to spend a minimum of six weeks in an equine establishment on a work-based placement during the first summer vacation. However, if a student is in employment during their course within a business that is judged to be appropriate to the learning outcomes of the degree, the requirement for a dedicated placement may be shortened or disregarded.

Associated careers

Graduates will be fully prepared for development or management positions within nutrition, breeding and welfare establishments, livery and stud yards, riding schools and educational and research institutions.

Application is through UCAS, course code D422, short name FdSc/EqS, inst code W35, inst Name WESTA