The University of Guelph has unveiled its new Equine Welfare Certificate that will offer students a chance to explore animal welfare issues in the horse industry locally and globally.
Made up of six online courses, the program was designed to engage students who have a passion for making a better world for horses, and will examine the biological and emotional factors that affect a horse’s quality of life.
Course content will include housing, management practices and procedures that can affect the well being of horses.
“It is extremely important that everyone who owns or works with horses understands not only the complex issues, but also the common practices in daily care and management that can affect the welfare of horses,” said Tina Widowski, director of the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare.
“Through our partnership with Equine Guelph, we are able to combine top expertise in equine science and animal welfare science to deliver a practical and well-rounded program in equine welfare.”
Offered by the Campbell Centre, Equine Guelph and the Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support, the Equine Welfare Certificate core courses include equine welfare, advanced equine behaviour, advanced equine health through nutrition and global perspectives in animal and equine welfare.
There are also two elective courses including health and disease prevention, the equine industry, equine nutrition and advanced equine anatomy.
The courses will be offered during the fall semester beginning Sept. 10 this year; however, the pre-requisite courses for the certificate are currently available for registration, with those courses starting in May.
Most people want the best for their horses, but many horse lovers also yearn for the chance to better understand why horses do the things they do and recognize situations that may compromise horse welfare.
“This program has been designed to provide students with the tools to become familiar with negative emotional states and recognize how welfare can be objectively assessed in the horse to improve its overall health,” said Gayle Ecker, the director of Equine Guelph.
For more information, contact the Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support at info@coles.uoguelph.ca, call 519-767-5000 or visit www.EquineWelfareCertificate.com.
