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Coursera is an online educational portal that gives people from all around the world a chance to take free college classes on a variety of topics. The University of Edinburgh is currently offering a free five-week online equine nutrition course, which begins Jan. 28. Dr. Jo-Anne Murray, a senior lecturer in animal nutrition and husbandry at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, will teach the class. Our horses are only as good as what we feed them, especially when they are competing in a strenuous sport like eventing. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge on equine nutrition for free. I’m taking the class and I hope many of you will join me! Click here for more information about the class or to sign up.
Course Description
This course is designed to provide knowledge of equine digestion and nutrition for those with an interest in this area. The anatomy and physiology of the equine alimentary canal will be studied to provide students with a detailed understanding of the equine digestive system. Nutrient sources for horses will be discussed, with emphasis placed on the health and welfare issues surrounding the inclusion of various types of feedstuffs in equine diets. Students will also discuss recommendations on rations for horses and ponies performing various activities and should feel equipped to make recommendations on rations for horses and ponies, in health and disease.
Course Syllabus
Week 1: Anatomy and physiology of the equine gastrointestinal tract
The expectation is that the course participants will come from varied backgrounds in relation to their previous experience of gastrointestinal tract anatomy and physiology. Consequently, this course begins with consideration of digestive anatomy and physiology in equids. The learning materials provided are directed towards ensuring a good understanding of equine digestive anatomy and physiology.
Week 2: Nutrient digestion in the equine gastrointestinal tract
The learning materials during this period will focus on nutrient digestion in equids and will consider nutrient digestion in the various segments of the gastrointesintal tract. Discussion should focus on considering the limitations of the equid gastrointestinal tract in relation to nutrient digestion.
Week 3: Equine nutrient sources and feeding management
This part of the course will consider various nutrient sources for equids. Learning materials will be provided on various feedstuffs utilised in equine diets. These various nutrient sources for horses will be discussed, with emphasis placed on the health and welfare issues surrounding the inclusion of various types of feedstuffs in horse diets. Discussions should involve considering how nutrients are digested within the gastrointestinal tract and how knowledge of this can enhance the dietary management of equids to ensure good health, maximise performance and prevent nutrition-related diseases/disorders.
Week 4: Equine dietary management
This week of the course will explore the nutrient requirements of equids and the dietary management of these animals. Discussions should focus around considering how modern feeding practices do not always consider the anatomy and physiology of the equid digestive tract.
Week 5: Equine clinical nutrition
This part of the course will focus on evaluating feeding strategies for the management and prevention of several diseases/disorders in equids; for example, obesity, laminitis, older horses with dental issues, etc. Discussions should focus on the dietary management of individuals affected with nutrition-related problems.
Watch Dr. Jo-Ann Murray explain the class
