Objectives and competences

Students will: • get to know the basic principles of working with horses and riding basics • understand the course of the reproductive cycle in horses • understand the importance of using the selection methods in the horse • understand the importance of the composition of suitable feeding rations for horses • understand the use of horses for sports and business purposes • able to use the knowledge gained from breeding, reproduction, nutrition and the basics of riding in practice.

Content (Syllabus outline)

• introduction to horse breeding • development and meaning of horse breeding (for working, sport and recreation aim, as well as horse products) • breeds of horses (light, draft, poni). horse breeds in Slovenia • biological traits of horses • basics in horse nutrition • optimization of horse feed rations • reproduction of horses • housing management of horses, care, cleaning and shoeing of horses • horse development and training • types of horse races, Olympic disciplines • influence of sport activities on horse welfare • economics of horse breeding • economics of horse sport discipline • meaning and critical analysis of breeding programs of autochthonous breeds of horses in Slovenia • importance of horse breeding for commercial purposes • the importance of horse breeding and equestrian sport in the broader aspects of rural development, derived from RDP

Learning and teaching methods

Lectures and seminars will be oral, presentation of data using modern computer and video equipment. Practical work and visits of horse farms and races. Practical courses including saddling and riding at one of the riding clubs. According to student interests, a field trip to the yearly traditional FieraCavalli fair in Verona (Italy).

Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding

Knowledge and understanding: At the end of this course, students should be able to describe the differences between warm-blooded and cold-blooded horses, to design, evaluate and calculate the appropriate feeding ration for (sporting) horses. In addition, they should be able to describe and understand the horse's reproduction cycle and apply acquired knowledge from the basics of riding and preparing horses in practice in field exercises.

Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes

Readings

Torres Borda, L.; Kelemen, Z.; Auer, U.; Jenner, F. Video Ethogram of Equine Social Behaviour. Animals 2024, 14, 1179. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081179 Frape, D., 2010. Equine Nutrition and Feeding, 4th Edition. 512 pp. Tušak, M., in Tušak, M., 2002. Psihologija konja. Ljubljana. Zupanc, A., 2000. Konjereja. Ljubljana. Harper, I., 1986 Encyclopedia for Horsemen.

Prerequisits

None.