Equine Industry and Welfare

Abstract

This subject will enable the student to understand the extent of the growing equine industry both in Australia and globally. Throughout this subject, students will gain a working understanding of industry governance and operating processes and procedures, including workplace health and safety, legal aspects and duty of care. Common horse management and husbandry procedures will be examined and assessed in relation to globally agreed health and welfare indicators and codes of practice. During this subject, students will also be given the opportunity to examine Indigenous Australian Cultural Competence and consider how lessons learnt can be applied within the equestrian context. On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to demonstrate a full understanding of the ethical considerations associated with the management of industry resources, namely horses, humans and land.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: The Australian and global equine industries;Welfare and rehabilitation organisations for equids;The allied equine industries;Basic legal concepts, duty of care, safeguarding, laws, acts and codes of practice for equids;Occupational health and safety, risk assessment and standard operating procedures for working with equids;Record keeping for … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

The Australian and global equine industries;
Welfare and rehabilitation organisations for equids;
The allied equine industries;
Basic legal concepts, duty of care, safeguarding, laws, acts and codes of practice for equids;
Occupational health and safety, risk assessment and standard operating procedures for working with equids;
Record keeping for equine industries;
Agistment and boarding of the equid;
Horse management and husbandry procedures including land management, housing, feeding and basic care;
Health and welfare indicators of the equid; and
Indigenous Australian influences on equine use and horse-human interaction.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

demonstrate an understanding of the structure, scope and contribution of and influences on the horse industry by sourcing and using appropriate information resources in Australia and globally;

outline legal and ethical requirements associated within the equine and allied industries;

review essential human occupational health and safety practices within the equine industry;

describe and review the rationale behind common horse husbandry and management practices;

recognise and assess critical equine health and welfare indicators necessary for good horse management; and

identify the roles that Indigenous Australian people have had interacting with horses since European settlement.

Enrolment restrictions

This subject is primarily for students in the Bachelor of Equine Science and Bachelor of Equine Science (Business Management) courses. Students studying other animal based courses may be admitted with the permission of the subject coordinator and their Course Director.

Learning activities

Intensive School

The intensive school provides the opportunity for ASC106 WD students to develop their practical skills in a similar fashion to those studying internally. The students will develop skills required for the correct and safe management of horses and the environment in which they are working that can be applied to all parts of the equine industry. The intensive school will include a wide range of practical activities involving hands-on working with a range of horses, laboratory sessions and workshops. The learning engaged in during this intensive school will enable students to fully engage in practical tasks and to properly develop their technical skills which will help to ensure their safety within the work place.

Duration2 days