Horse Ranch Management Level 1

The Horse Ranch Management Level I certificate focuses on equine production, management, and nutrition. The curriculum combines a combination of technical knowledge and practical skills utilizing a hands-on approach to instruction. Upon completion, students will have basic skills for entry-level employment opportunities in the equine industry. All courses are applicable for degree requirements in Horse Ranch Management and Animal Science.

The Horse Ranch Management Certificate Level I is projected to have 10 annual completers.

Upon completion of the Horse Ranch Management Level I certificate, students will understand the foundations of equine industry operations, behavior, handling and restraint, reproduction, nutrition, and sanitation and disease control. The Horse Ranch Management Level I certificate prepares students for entry-level employment within the equine industry.

Goal 1. Students will understand the history of the modern horse and the development of horse breeds, types, and classes.

Objective 1.1 Students will describe the evolutionary development of modern horses.

Objective 1.2 Students will discuss the domestication of the horse.

Objective 1.3 Students will identify historical trends of human utilization of horses.

Objective 1.4 Students will describe the current horse industry.

Objective 1.5 Students will describe the gaits and movements of horses.

Objective 1.6 Students will classify and describe equine as pony, light, or draft.

Objective 1.7 Students will list and describe equine breeds and their origins.

 

Goal 2. Students will analyze equine anatomy and physiology.

Objective 2.1 Students will identify the internal and external parts of the horse.

Objective 2.2 Students will explore equine bodily systems such as skeletal, muscular, digestive and reproductive.

Objective 2.3 Students will recognize reproductive hormonal interactions of the horse.

 

Goal 3. Students will learn about equine nutrition and feeding management

Objective 3.1 Students will list and discuss basic nutrients.

Objective 3.2 Students will identify feeds important to horses.

Objective 3.3 Students will balance an equine ration.

Objective 3.4 Students will list and describe equine nutritional disorders.

Objective 3.5 Students will describe the equine body condition scoring system.

 

Goal 4. Students will comprehend concepts in equine health management.

Objective 4.1 Students will list, identify, and describe equine diseases.

Objective 4.2 Students will identify horse internal and external parasites.

Objective 4.3 Students will properly care for hooves and explain hoof anatomy.

Objective 4.4 Students will determine proper horse health management practices including proper vaccination and antiparasitic protocols.

 

Goal 5. Students will recognize horse genetics.

Objective 5.1 Students will explore the fundamentals of genetics.

Objective 5.2 Students will describe the inheritance of horse coat color and markings.

 

Goal 6. Students will understand horse reproduction and parturition.

Objective 6.1 Students will describe the physiology of reproductive tracts of stallions and mares.

Objective 6.2 Students will summarize the estrous cycle and proper times to breed.

Objective 6.3 Students will describe proper horse gestation management such as proper care during pregnancy and parturition.

Objective 6.4 Students will explore equine reproductive technology; artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

 

Goal 7. Students will analyze equine behavior and implement proper handling and/or training techniques.

Objective 7.1 Students will identify and list normal and abnormal horse behavior.

Objective 7.2 Students will demonstrate safe handling of horses utilizing proper handling techniques.

Objective 7.3 Students will identify appropriate training techniques and adapt them in accordance with the animal’s behavior.

 

Goal 8. Students will learn about equine facilities and equipment.

Objective 8.1 Students will identify, discuss, and describe the usage of Western and English tack.

Objective 8.2 Students will demonstrate use of equipment used in the transportation of horses.

Objective 8.3 Students will investigate horse facilities and fencing.

Objective 8.4 Students will discuss waste management.

 

Goal 9. Students will know how to evaluate and select a horse

Objective 9.1 Students will summarize the considerations of purchasing a horse.

Objective 9.2 Students will recognize the ideal horse conformation characteristics, faults and predict potential unsoundness and/or lameness.

Objective9.3 Students will present oral and written reasons in horse evaluation

This 11 unit certificate program is designed to give students completion basic skills for entry-level employment opportunities in the equine industry. All courses are degree applicable.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ASCI 2	Animal Nutrition	3.0	Y1
ASCI 16	Horse Production and Management	4.0	Y1
ASCI 18	Horse Ranch Management	4.0	Y1

This is a revision of a skills certificate that is part of the animal science program at Mt. San Antonio. The revisions to this skills certificate reflect the changes to course prefixes of animal science program. These changes align directly with Mt. SAC's master plan to use guided pathways to increase student equity and completion of degrees, certificates and transfer requirements.

The Horse Ranch Management Certificate Level I is unique to this area. There are no others colleges within the Mt. San Antonio College service area offering this certificate program.

15