TECH123-0707 : Equine Essentials-Basic Horse Care

INSTRUCTORS:
Debbie Hembroff, RVT, CVT & Chris Upchurch, AA, VA

DATES:
July 3-August 9, 2007
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings July 9, 16, 23, and 30; 10:00pm-11:30pm pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Many veterinary clinics treat both small and large animals. This is an introductory course designed for veterinary support staff that have an interest in equine sciences but have limited equine experience. It will offer a basic overview on such topics as: breeds, colors and markings; terminology, nutrition, vaccination, parasitology, common disorders, diseases, and behaviors.

This course will consist of four (4) ninety (90) minute real time sessions; library materials supplementing the chapters in the required text; multiple choice online quizzes (after each real time session) designed to enhance course effectiveness and material retention; a cumulative online final; and interactive message board discussions.

This course is designed for all veterinary staff and veterinary technician students wishing to review the basics of equine care, identification, and nutrition.

Upon completion of this class, the participant should be able to:

• able to identify common breeds and colors of horses and be acquainted with their differences.
• able to identify the general anatomical areas of a horse.
• familiar with common equine terms.
• able to understand the basics of safe stabling.
• knowledgeable regarding vaccination and deworming protocols for the horse.
• able to assess the nutrient requirements of different ages and lifestyles of horses.
• able to describe signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of some common equine infectious diseases and parasites.
• familiar with basic equine first aid.
• familiar with basic behavior traits of horses.

TEXTBOOK: There is one required text and two recommended texts for this course:

Required text:

• Vogel, C. (2003). Complete Horse Care Manual 2nd Ed. Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. Available from http://barnesandnoble.com or http://www.amazon.com

Recommended texts:

• Pavia, A. & Posnikoff, J. (2005). Horses for Dummies, 2nd Ed. Wiley, John & Sons, Inc. Available from http://barnesandnoble.com or http://www.amazon.com
• Hanie, E. A. (2006). Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier Health. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99638

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: Breeds and Terminology
This session will cover the basic breeds, colors and markings of a horse, and some basic anatomical terminology. This knowledge is critical for properly filling out Coggin's and health certificates and to communicate effectively with veterinarians, clients and farriers.

Week 2: Wellness and Husbandry
This session will discuss common diseases and vaccinations. This segment will also discuss common parasites, but will not cover complete clinical pathology of parasites.

Week 3: Nutrition
This session addresses unique features of the equine digestive system, helping to explain the need for frequent feeding, the importance of forages and water, and examples various feed types, hays, grains, and supplements currently available.

Week 4: Common diseases and ailments
In the final session, we will cover common ailments, their clinical signs and first aid treatment to better facilitate the participant's communication between clients and the veterinarian.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6

TUITION:
$111 ($100 early bird special if registered before June 19, 2007)
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Enrollment will be closed at 5pm ET on July 9, 2007 (the day of the first real time session) or as soon as the maximum number of participants is reached.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE

** Click on "How To's of Online CE" and "Polices & Procedures" for more on how our online CE works

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for   6   hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881, ext 187

Ginger Sanders (Ginger@vspn.org), ext 183
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881

*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.