ASC512 Equine Nutrition (8)

This Subject involves study at post graduate level of the feeding of all horse classes, including an examination of nutritional problems (from both a physiological and biochemical perspective) that may arise as a result of incorrect feeding practices.  The characteristics and usefulness (evidence based) of nutritional supplements and feed additives and evaluation of commercial feedstuffs will be explored and least cost rations formulated. The incidences of, and modes of actions of feed-related toxins, including poisonous plants and myctotoxins will be examined.  The importance of dental health in the care, management and feeding of horses will also be discussed. Students will examine current research in the area of equine nutrition. Students undertake literature reviews and are expected to assimilate current information and apply their knowledge to key nutritional disorders.

For those studying by distance education, this subject has a compulsory residential school. During the residential school students will undertake tutorial workshops on feed evaluation and feed techniques taught to internal students as well as participate in Solution-Based problem sessions designed to provide a hands-on approach to the theory taught in the subject.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ASC512. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Postgraduate students only

Assumed Knowledge
Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry
Incompatible Subjects

ASC412

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to formulate rations, at least cost, and describe appropriate feeding programs for all classes of horses according to NRC (2007) nutrient requirements;
  • be able to evaluate traditional and modernday feeding practices and their impact on equine health and welfare;
  • be able to describe the consequences, from both a physiological and biochemical perspective, of inappropriate feeding practices;
  • be able to evaluate existing rations in terms of their ability to meet nutrient requirements (of horses) without negatively impacting of their health and wellbeing, and implement improvements where appropriate;
  • be able to devise feeding strategies that enhance equine health and welfare;
  • be able to evaluate the quality of feedstuffs, nutritional supplements and feed additivies;
  • be able to identify plants that are toxic to horses, describe the mode of action of the toxins they contain and develop management strategies to avoid toxicity;
  • be able to develop a feed year plan for horses at pasture, including suitable grazing and pasture management strategies to maintain viable horse pastures; and
  • be able to identify normal and abnormal dentition in a horse and explain the importance of maintaining good equine dental health.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • - Feeding breeding mares, foals, stallions, growing horses and performance horses and formulating rations on the basis of least cost
  • - Feeding sick or geriatric horses
  • - Feeding facts, fallacies and strategies
  • - Nutritional supplements
  • - Evaluation of commercial feedstuffs
  • - Toxic plants and pasture care and management
  • - Nutritional disorders
  • - Dental health

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Compulsory Residential School.

A series of tutorial sessions, workshops and Solution-Based programs will be run in order to provide a hands-on approach to the theory taught in the subject.

Special Resources

This subject has a compulsory 2 day residential school

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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