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Master Equine Manager 2 Modules

Purpose:

  • To provide in-depth training on specific topics to selected horse enthusiast in order to increase the knowledge and skill in equine science, care and training.

  • To increase the quality, competitiveness and economic potential of the Iowa horse industry.

  • To develop a cadre of knowledgeable equine managers to assist ISUE in conducting educational programs and activities.

  • To develop a volunteer network for Youth and 4-H/FFA horse programs.


Participant Requirements:

  • Must have a strong interest and desire to develop skill in equine care and management.

  • Must be willing to share and demonstrate horse skills and knowledge with others.

  • A commitment to participate in the class is required.

  •  Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent, or at least 18 years of age


Delivery Modes:

  • On-site learning sessions or workshops

  • Web-based instruction with centrally located on-site demonstration sessions

  • Web-cast, videotape/DVD and other learning technologies as appropriate


Enrollment/Cost:

  • Enrollment is determined by the type of program. 
  •  Registrations received without enrollment fees will not be accepted.
  • Any fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support the Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension program. 
Certification Requirements:

  • Each module will cover a different subject. After completion of a module you will receive a certificate in that subject matter. Participants can take one or all modules.

  • An examination (written and/or practical) will be given on the module. Participants must pass the examination on the material with an 80% or better.

  • Maintaining certification: Six hours of continuing education training each year. Continuing education hours may be from ISU workshops/conferences or from other approved equine programs.


Benefits and Opportunities for the Certified Master Equine Manager Level II

  • Receive a certificate from Iowa State University in each module – emergency care, functional anatomy, equine nutrition, equine forage management, equine business management

  • Develop new skills to enhance employment opportunities within the industry.

  • Receive detailed knowledge and “hands-on” experience

  • Participate in horse organizations with public education programs.

  • Iowa State University Continuing Education credits are available for completing this program.  The number of credits varies with each module.  Modules are also approved for Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine continuing education credits.

Upon completion of the Master Equine Manager program, each graduate will receive:

  • Graduation Certificate

  • Master Equine Manager wallet identification card with module listed

  • Permanent Master Equine Manager name badge.

  • ISU Continuing Education Credit

  • Entry to database for receiving program updates and Master Equine Manager Overview e-newsletter (MEMO).

Awards

The awards program recognizes and rewards Master Equine Managers for time spent learning about the equine. The award levels are as follows.

  • Wrangler – Completed MEM Level 1 and 3- MEM Level 2 modules
  •   Maverick – Completed MEM Level 1 and 6-  MEM Level 2 modules
  •  Horseman – Completed MEM Level 1 and 9-  MEM Level 2 modules

MODULES

EMERGENCY CARE - Interactive workshop with practical, up-to-date, hands-on information to participants. Topics include handling the horse in an emergency, lacerations, fractures, ocular injuries, colic, dystocia, medications, transport and handling issues, first aid situations in the field, barn first-aid kits, and first aid scenarios.

Learner Outcomes

  • Recognize and evaluate equine emergency problems.
  • Describe and employ handling techniques in an equine emergency situation.
  • Effectively communicate emergencies to a veterinarian.
  • Recognize the types of medications used in emergency situations.
  •  Demonstrate first-aid techniques used in an emergency.

EQUINE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT- The course is designed to assist producers in the starting and running an equine enterprise. The program will cover a variety of items that must be considered before launching an equine enterprise as well as guidelines for those already running an equine business. Marketing is an essential part of a strong business plan. Key marketing points are discussed that lead to success in targeting your business among a diverse group of audiences.

Learner Outcomes

  • Provide a framework of knowledge about equine business management.
  • Be able to assess business endeavors.
  • Understand an effective advertising and marketing program.
  • Develop knowledge concerning insurance decisions.
  • Understand liability concerns with equine ownership.

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY OF ANIMALS - The course is designed to assist horse owners understand the metabolic changes that occur when a horse is conditioned for various events. Topics include aerobic and anaerobic exercise and recovery, the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, muscular and thermoregulatory systems, prevention of health and performance problems, and nutritional support for the athlete.
Learner Outcomes

  •  Identify and describe the immediate and long term effects of exercise upon the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, and thermoregulatory systems.
  • Comprehend and describe the physiological basis of physical training techniques. 
  • Interpret the limitations and procedure of physiological measurements pertaining to exercise responses and physical performance.
  • Recognize common injuries in performance horses and recommend common paths of treatment and prevention.
  • Describe nutritional support required of an equine.
  • Apply scientific principles to ensure a safe and effective training program.

MANAGEMENT OF THE EQUINE ENVIRONMENT - The course covers aspects of running a horse-housing establishment, including barn hygiene, air quality, fencing and pasture maintenance and improvement, a safety audit and many more. This course provides practical and up-to-date information needed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for horses through effective and responsible management techniques. Topics include stable design, bedding, forages, arenas, safety, fencing, shelters, manure management and water quality.
Learner Outcomes

  • Develop a manure management plan.
  • Understand water quality and how it can affect the nutritional status of  horses.
  • Be able to assess a horse housing establishment and make recommendations for improvements.

EQUINE HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES - The course is a program designed to help manage horse health and reduce risks of disease in equine facilities. Topics covered include disease and parasite control, metabolic problems, risk factors for infectious disease, and managing disease outbreaks at events and farms.

Learner Outcomes

  • Describe the concept of risk management in farm planning. 
  • Identify disease risk areas. 
  • Understand diseases and their causes. 
  • Distinguish between preventing disease entering the property and managing risks on farm. 
  • Plan and implement on-farm biosecurity. 
  • Develop a risk management plan.

EQUINE NUTRITION AND FEEDING - The course is designed to assist producers in the feeding management of their horse operations. Course material includes digestive physiology, factors affecting digestion, determining your horse's nutrient requirements, nutritional diseases, selecting grain and hay, evaluating commercial feed labels, and water quality. In addition establishing pastures, management of pasture, grazing management, weed control and poisonous plants will be discussed.  Also included is managing a feeding program for mature horses, performance horses, broodmares, foals, weanlings, yearlings and stallions. Participants will be able to generate nutritional requirements using the REINS for Horses computer program.

Learner Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of equine digestive physiology.
  • Identify the major causes of nutritional metabolic disorders.
  • Describe the information required to perform a ration evaluation and how it can be obtained.
  • Understand the nutrient requirements for various classes of horses.
  • Interpret forage analysis output relative to forage quality.
  • Be able to evaluate the productivity of equine pastures.
  • Be able to assess water quality.
  • Be able to formulate a ration for any category of horse using the REINS program.

 

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY - Participants take part in a guided dissection of the anatomy of a horse. Participants investigate the systems and regions of the body methodically to understand their natural form and function. These include the musculoskeletal system, lungs and respiratory system, excretory system, nervous system, endocrine system, reproductive system and skin

Learner Outcomes

  • Be familiar with equine anatomy and how the structure relates to function.
  • Understand the structure and physiology of the equine musculoskeletal system and its adaptations to athletic activity. 
  • Understand where movement begins, basic premises and causality.
  • Be familiar with the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory system

LAMENESS AND PERFORMANCE IN  HORSES - Lameness in horses focuses on the anatomy of the horse, as well as the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of lameness. Lameness examinations, including radiography, ultrasound, and nuclear scintigraphy, is included. The course provides an overview of state-of-the art diagnosis and treatment of lameness in the performance horse. Lameness evaluation, techniques for diagnosing lameness (gait analysis, thermography, digital radiography, ultrasonography, and MRI) and current treatments for common lameness are covered.
Learner Outcomes

  • Define lameness and location of lameness.
  • Recognize different types of how to examine lameness in horses.
  • Understand lameness and its relationship to various types of performance events.
  • Develop plan to help treat common lameness.

MARE & FOAL WORKSHOP - Horse owners, mare and/or stallion managers, foaling attendants, veterinarians, technicians and other breeding farm personnel will benefit from this workshop. Emphasis is placed on obtaining an understanding of basic reproductive function as well as learning management techniques through a combination of discussions and hands-on laboratory sessions. In the workshop participants learn about the anatomy of the reproductive tract in the mare and stallion in relation to natural breeding and assisted reproductive technologies. Anatomical problems are discussed in relation to fertility problems. Reproductive endocrinology in the mare and stallion are covered in the subfertile/infertile animal, and in relation to abnormal sexual behavior. Normal and abnormal events of pregnancy, parturition and dystocia are discussed in detail.

Learner Outcomes 

  • To serve as a resource for veterinarians by providing accurate and up-to-date information on equine reproductive physiology; reproductive management; and the clinical diagnosis and treatment.
  •  Demonstrate a detailed and comparative knowledge of the control of equine reproduction of equine reproductive pathology. 
  • Demonstrate a detailed and comparative knowledge of the physiology of pregnancy, parturition and lactation in the mare.
  • Identify and evaluate the procedures for assessing reproductive competence and fertility in the mare. 
  • Understand the estrous cycle and breeding options in the mare. 
  • Comprehend the changes during pregnancy in the mare and developing fetus. 
  • Acquire the necessary understanding and some skills to effectively manage the foaling mare and post-foaling care.
  • Understand and practice the Body Condition Scoring system and estimating horse weight.

THE GROWING HORSE - Designed to assist equine owners with understanding how young horses grow and develop.  Equine owners gain valuable insight on preventing health problems and maintaining  proper development of foals from birth to one year of age.
Learner Outcomes

  • Understand the foal's requirements for optimal growth and development from birth to six months of age.
  • Identify factors that cause orthopedic disease and understand prevention of this disease.
  • Be able to develop a vaccination and deworming program for the growing horse.
  • Understand the nutritional requirements of the suckling, weanling, and growing horse to 2-years of age.
  • To be more informed about the foal's requirements for optimal growth and development from birth to six months of age.