Postgraduate Course: Equine Behavioural Medicine (EQSC11047)

Course Outline
School	Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies	College	College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course type	Online Distance Learning	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	Equine ethology, stress in utero and adverse early life experiences and how these factors can shape adult equine behaviour is presented. Discussion of equine behavioural indicators of pain, stress, and emotion will be encouraged. Understanding of neurophysiological aspects of horse behaviour is included as well as communication of human behaviour change to improve horse welfare. This will allow the student to evaluate a horse presenting with unwanted behaviours, formulate a differential diagnosis and treatment plan (including a behaviour modification plan).
Course description	This course will provide information on why horses behave the way they do and how to treat unwanted behaviors. It will explore how stress in utero and adverse early life experiences shape the horse's neurophysiological development and subsequent adult behavior. The course will contain material with regard to normal and abnormal stress responses and the neurophysiology that drives behavior in horses. It will explore unwanted behaviors from a causal and functional perspective. Opportunities to discuss behaviour indicators of pain, stress, range of emotions and behavioural syndromes in horses will be encouraged. Tools to empower students to create behavioural modification plans to improve equine behaviour and welfare will be included. Finally there will be a focus on human behaviour change and how it may be communicated to improve both human and equine welfare.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Flexible
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Formative: There will be a number of Multiple Choice Questions throughout the course to assess knowledge and understanding of equine behavioural medicine. Discussion board and live tutorial sessions will also provide opportunities for feedback. Summative assessments: 1) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) examining equine behavioural medicine topics covered in the course (50% weighting) 2) Essay/behavioural case study (50% weighting).
Feedback	Students receive feedback on all formative and summative assessments. Feedback is also provided during live tutorials or lectures and on discussion boards.
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate a critical understanding of specialised terminology, principal theories, concepts, and principles of equine behavioural medicine. Apply knowledge, skills, and understanding in using a range of professional skills, techniques and practices associated with equine behaviour medicine. Manage challenging professional issues and make informed judgements in relation to current professional and/or ethical codes or practices in relation to equine behavioural medicine.