Class Equine Production, Behavior and Welfare

The CU of Equine Breeding, Behaviour and Welfare involves an overall introduction to the world of equine breeding. This CU intends to sensitise students to the reality of the business world around equines as Veterinary Surgeons, considering a respectful approach to equine welfare and to the economic and social environment of the equine breeding professionals.

Not applicable

1. History and main equine breeds. 2. Anatomy and physiology of equids from an evolutionary perspective. 3. Equine nutrition. 4. Equine reproduction and genetics. 5. Equine Behaviour.

Teaching methodologies include practical (P) contents and tutorial moments (OT). In P practical concepts will be exposed through field trips to breeders' facilities or equestrian centres for late analyse in OT context. The assessment will be done through 4 mini evaluations and a manuscript with a predefined subject according to the intended outcomes. The final mark will be calculated by the mean average of the 4 moments of evaluation for 16/20 and the manuscript for 4/20. The minimum mark to get approval is of 8 for the mini evaluations and 2 for the manuscript. In case of reproval the student must take the ressource evaluation. Students will only be admitted for the evaluations in the first 15 minutes of the schedule defined for the evaluation. Once this time is overcomed students will not be allowed to perform the evaluation.  

Beaver, B., 2019. Equine Behavioral Medicine. Academic Press, 1st Edition, London, UK, ISBN: 978-0-12-812106-1 Harris, P., & Shepherd, M. (2021). What Would Be Good for All Veterinarians to Know About Equine Nutrition. Veterinary Clinics of North America - Equine Practice, 37(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2020.11.001 Martins da Silva, A.T., 2009. Hipologia. Guia para o estudo do cavalo. Lidel, 1ªed., Lisboa, Portugal, ISBN:978-972-757-601-2