TECH123-0708 : Equine Essentials-Basic Horse Care

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

DATES:
July 31-September 6, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Wednesday evenings, August 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2008; 9:00pm-10:30pm 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; weekly library materials including handouts, references, and resources to appropriate online articles; weekly reading lists in reference to the required text; weekly online, multiple choice quizzes 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, nutrition, and behavior.

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

• define and describe common equine terms.
• identify common breeds and colors of horses and be acquainted with their differences.
• identify the general anatomical areas of a horse that are used when communicating with clients and veterinary staff.
• identify and describe vaccination and deworming protocols for the horse.
• describe signs, symptoms, discuss treatment, and prevention of some common equine diseases and parasites.
• list basic equine behavior traits.
• outline the nutrient requirements of different ages and lifestyles of horses.
• discuss basic equine first aid.

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

Required text:

• Pavia, A. & Posnikoff, J. (2005). Horses for Dummies, 2nd ed. Wiley, John & Sons, Inc. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82263

Recommended Resource:

• TheHorse.com This is an internet site that provides access to equine health and welfare articles. The site requires registration; however there is no cost involved. Weekly reading references from this site will be provided in the course area library.

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, and introduce common parasites (but will not cover complete clinical pathology of parasites.) Basic equine behavior will also be discussed.

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, examples various feed types, hays, grains, and supplements currently available, and factors that come into play when choosing feed.

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:
$117 ($105 early bird special if registered before July 17, 2008)
* 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 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 approved for 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

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
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.